Some info on Native S30V FRN

[MANIXWORLD]

I managed to pick up a brand new Native with S30V steel and black FRN handle..This is such a nice knife,razorsharp and superlite.My question is..'How long has this Native S30V FRN been in production.They are obviously still readily available..so i reckon that this must be a favorite amongst alot of knifeknuts,like here on the forums,and general knife users,who know what they want out of a real good knife,with excellent bladesteel. Any info on the history of this specific Native mentioned above would be welcome..thanx..i know this specific Native also comes in pink FRN,so this has to be a famous one..its basically everything you want from a good edc pocketknife..cuts like a lazer and handles like a custom foldingknife,engineerd for the hand..

[Monkeywrangler]

I know I got mine at Walmart for under $40 about 2 yrs ago.

[The Deacon]

Spyderwiki says S30V replaced 440V on the Native in 2004, my own recollection places it a bit earlier, sometime in 2003, as an S30V C41 was one of the first Spydercos I purchased.

The FRN C41 goes back further than that, all the way to 1997. Unless you count the "BRK 1st Generation" ones, the original steel was GIN-1, later 440V, and finally S30V. So it's been around for 12 years and, aside from the Forum Model, has been unchanged except for the steel.

[sal]

Hi ManixWorld,

It all beganin the mid 90's when we were working with another US knife company that wanted us to design a knife for Wal-Mart. They would build them for us and get us into Wal-Mart.

I designed the model to work for a larger percentage of the general knife market. Sized effectively, large finger choil for safety, Centerground saber with a large swedge to look cool.

It didn't work out with the original company, so we brought the molds to Golden and produced the Native here. We began with CPM-440V and later switched to S30V.

The blades made by the original company (440A) were eventually built and sold as the "BRK Native, 1st generation".

We've done a number of variations of the pattern. There is a display in our store that shows them.

The name Native, was short for Native American. It was to be built in the US from inception and we felt that Native would be a good name. We donated a percentage of the early pieces to the Native American foundation in Denver. Our way of "paying for the name". As I remember it was $5,000.

We are now refining the design for a USA made Native4. We'll make the new model with a 4 way clip and variations in handle materials and blade materials.

sal

[defenestrate]

I definitely look forward to seeing what the Native4 will look like. I was really impressed with the Native3. I liked the shaping and extra width of the handle very much. My wife now has that one as well as one of the pink FRN C41PPN models that she got for 10 bucks. A ridiculously good deal on a great knife.

[MANIXWORLD]

Originally Posted by sal

Hi ManixWorld,

It all beganin the mid 90's when we were working with another US knife company that wanted us to design a knife for Wal-Mart. They would build them for us and get us into Wal-Mart.

I designed the model to work for a larger percentage of the general knife market. Sized effectively, large finger choil for safety, Centerground saber with a large swedge to look cool.

It didn't work out with the original company, so we brought the molds to Golden and produced the Native here. We began with CPM-440V and later switched to S30V.

The blades made by the original company (440A) were eventually built and sold as the "BRK Native, 1st generation".

We've done a number of variations of the pattern. There is a display in our store that shows them.

The name Native, was short for Native American. It was to be built in the US from inception and we felt that Native would be a good name. We donated a percentage of the early pieces to the Native American foundation in Denver. Our way of "paying for the name". As I remember it was $5,000.

We are now refining the design for a USA made Native4. We'll make the new model with a 4 way clip and variations in handle materials and blade materials.

sal

A knife with a golden history IMHO...a truely exceptional design,that i havent seen copied by other leading brands..a knife i would choose in a manVs.wild/survival situation,if a foldingknife was my Only choice..a short kind of small knife,But truely an extensive feel to the hand..if this is any proper knife user or knifecollector's knife..he/she,should own atleast a couple of them..so many variations to choose from..i Can use this One with Pride,and know so Many others do so aswell..THE SPYDERCO NATIVE...

[HaroldB]

The Native is an awesome lil' knife

To see it getting new handles and blade materials is great news