Spyderco has made a lot of amazing knives, but very few of them have been as popular as their Native line of knives. The Spyderco Native 5 is the 5th generation of the Native line, and they’ve just about perfected it.
The Spyderco Native 5 is one of Spyderco’s most popular knives. It features a CPM-S30V spearpoint blade and a fiberglass-reinforced-nylon (FRN) handle. It’s available in straight, serrated (aka Spyder Edge), partially serrated blades, and various handle styles.
- Open Length: 6.95″
- Closed Length: 4″
- Blade Length: 2.95″
- Weight: 2.5 oz.
Overall, I feel great recommending this knife to just about anyone! It fits the hand well, doesn’t slip even when wet, and stays sharp for a long time before you need to touch up the edge.
Who should be Interested?
The Spyderco Native 5 is ideal for anyone looking for an EDC knife to fit into most roles. It’s just as suitable for an office environment as it is for the trail or while you’re out camping.
The size, blade shape, handle, and variety of available blade designs make it versatile enough to fit just about any role you can come up with. You can even get it in Spyderco’s Salt finish, designed to resist corrosion in humid and wet environments.
- An Improved Classic: The Native model has been a mainstay of Spyderco's product line for years as a...
- USA Made: Spyderco takes tremendous pride in every knife we make, but the ones crafted in our...
- Light and Durable: This Native 5 handle is fabricated with Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon. FRN is a...
- Dependable: If you are looking for control and precision, look no more. This knife features our...
- High-Strength Lock: The Back Lock mechanism is known for it's high-strength and ease of use. The...
Features
The Spyderco Native 5 comes in around 7″ when opened and 4″ when closed. The typical Native 5 model has a 2.95″ S30V spearpoint blade, and the Salt version uses LC200N. Both types of steel hold an edge well and are resistant to corrosion, but the blade of the Native 5 Salt takes it even further with its extremely corrosion-resistant design.
The sharpened edge of the blade is 2.42 inches with a finger choil at the base so you can hold it closer to the blade if you need to do some finer work. The blade is 1/8″ thick.
Spyderco says that the blade has a full flat grind, but there is a secondary bevel at the edge, so it’s not a true full flat grind.
The handle is made of injection-molded fiberglass-reinforced-nylon (FRN) to make it both solid and light. Unlike some of their other knives, there is no steel reinforcement inside to add strength to the handle. They do this to keep the knife as light as possible. The good news is the handle doesn’t flex like some other plastic-handled knives that aren’t reinforced.
There is a decent amount of grip without the handle being too rough. It uses Spyderco’s Bi-Directional Texturing, which I like. It provides a firm grip when the knife is wet, or you’re pushing or pulling.
Some of the knives from Spyderco have brass inserts that allow the blades to open easier. The Native 5 doesn’t. It can be a bit stiff opening when you first get one.
Regardless of how you like to carry your knives, the Native 5 has you covered. You can carry tip-up or down on both the left and right sides. The knife comes with a clip installed for right-handed tip-up carry.
I’ve been a little less than enthusiastic about Spyderco’s stock pocket clips in the past. With the Native 5, that isn’t the case. The squared-off back edge of the knife fits well with the pocket clip.
The back lock mechanism of the knife keeps the blade firmly in place. There is a secure click when it opens and almost no movement once it’s in place. You can flex the handle and blade with the knife open, but it’s not a lot.
Pros
I like the blade design of the Native 5! It’s similar to the Spyderco Shaman that I carry regularly. It has a sharp point that’s both fine and strong simultaneously, and the cutting edge is perfect for most common uses.
The handle design makes the knife comfortable after periods of longer use. Being able to choke up on the blade a little is a nice touch because it helps with any finer detail work you may want.
You can get the Native 5 in many different colors and blade finishes. You may have to shop a little to get the exact color/blade combo you want because not all retailers carry all the different combinations.
There’s a Salt version of the Native 5! The Spyderco Salt Series is designed around water and humid areas where other knives tend to rust and corrode quickly. This is the version of the knife that I own. It’s the same as the regular Native 5, but the steel is different and comes with a high-visibility handle.
Spyderco is based in Golden, Colorado, and its knives are made in the United States. When you buy a Spyderco knife, you support a quality American company and workers. This probably doesn’t matter to many people, but I like to support American companies.
Most Popular Spyderco Knives
Cons
My biggest complaint with the Native 5 is its stiffness when first buying one. It takes quite a bit of use to finally get the knife to feel like it’s opening smoothly. Even after it’s broken in, it isn’t nearly as smooth as some other Spyderco knives.
With a 2.95″ blade and a 4″ handle, it will be too small for some people. If you have big hands, you could end with a pinky hanging off the end of the handle. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s something to think about.
I like the knife’s lightweight, but some people seem to find the light handle unsettling. It can feel a little weird at first and make you think it will break, even though the handle is super strong and doesn’t flex.
Conclusion
The Spyderco Native 5 is a top-rated, versatile knife suitable for various roles and environments. It features a sharp and durable CPM-S30V or LC200N blade and a comfortable fiberglass-reinforced-nylon handle with a secure back lock mechanism.
It is available in various blade, handle styles, and colors, including a corrosion-resistant Salt version. It is easy to carry and stays sharp for a long time. Overall, it is a reliable choice for anyone needing an EDC knife.
