Spyderco Native or Tenacious

[Demel]

All I want for either is a full serrated blade.

Go!!!

[sLaughterMed]

Arent those two in totally different price classes? Like $30 vs $100?

[Demel]

Yes. The native is 75 on amazon. 35 for the tenacious. I want a spyderco and fully serrated to pair with my spirit x. I like these because of the blade size and shape. The handles on the tenacious look cheap and it is made in China. The naive is compact and made in the US but is pricey. I know the mto way is get both but I only NEED one.

[Demel]

I am also open to suggestions.

[powernoodle]

Being a manly man, I own both.  I would go with the Tenacious.  There is really nothing cheapy about it, except that it has a lower end steel (8Cr13MoV).  But that is still a very good steel that holds a good edge and is easy to sharpen.  Its a good knife and an excellent value.  And surprise, surprise - it cuts stuff just like more expensive knives.

An alternative, which you may not be into, is a Byrd Cara Cara 2 with FRN scales and a combo edge.  These are currently $21.90 shipped on Amazon Prime.  Its not a full serrated edge, but dang it, its a sweet knife for the money.

I own tons of knives of all flavors, but I really like these "budget" knives.  They cut stuff just like the Big Boys, and you don't cry (too much) if you lose one.  And for me, its just just more fun to spend $22 or $35 than $75.  Sometimes when I spend more on a knife, there is this nagging feeling that I've been a dunce for spending so much.   That feeling never happens with a budget knife.

[Aloha]

I have a Native and love it.  What about a Delica?  Also a great knife IMO.  I do have a Tenacious but in a combo edge it's not a bad knife at all. 

For me it would be a coin toss between the Native and Delica. 

[Demel]

Thanks power noodle. The Byrd seems like a steal. They have a rescue version for about the same price  

[Demel]

The delica was on my radar as well. Either one would work. The native was the most recent

[Aloha]

Those Byrds are a great deal.  I feel like PN in regards to buying a "budget" knife.  I have a few Kershaws that are just tremendous values and work like heck. 

[captain spaulding]

I have to say it. DO NOT get the Byrd. I personally hate the Byrd Cara Cara and think it feels like a cheap piece of junk.

Now that, that is out of the way I will explain myself a bit. I have had a few Byrds including the Cara Cara and Robin. I am not one of those FRN (fiberglass reinforced nylon) haters that say it makes knives feel cheap. I actually love my FRN knives more than anyone, but there are a few exceptions. The Byrd Cara Cara is one of them. It feels like a piece of junk in my hand. I hate the lines. I hate the corners on the scales. If you want a knife that does not feel like a cheap piece of plastic then stay away from the FRN Cara Cara. I also have heard people complain about the lockup on those because the machining on the lock bar is improperly cut.

The Native 1 also feels a bit cheap in hand, but nothing like the Cara Cara. The Native is expensive, but your mainly paying for the steel. There are no liners and the Native 1 is pinned together so you can never adjust it. I actually like this as it is a great "dirty" knife. No liners to get crap stuck in. Good steel so it will take some time to rust (giving you time to clean it). Its pinned so you never have to worry about the pivot or things getting stuck in there. With all that said I would still pass on the Native for now.

I would say the Tenacious should be a top contender. It is a excellent knife. Comes in all sorts of combinations. Inexpensive. Every Tenacious I have owned has been perfect. Blade flies open, smooth, great edge, the whole nine. This is on at least 6 separate Tenacious's I have owned. I cannot say the same for some of the higher end Spyderco's from my experience. I just can not say enough good things about that knife.

The Delica 4 should (in my opinion) be your first selection. The Delica 4 should be in every pocket around the world. Incredible knife. Great size for most people. Love the FFG blade (no full or combo serrated on FFG models) as well as the scales. Its just a all around amazing knife.

My two suggestions would be either the Delica 4 (first choice) or the Tenacious (second choice). You could also look into the Endura 4 if you wanted something larger. You picked a bad time to buy a Spyderco though as MAP pricing is in effect now. Maybe not everywhere so check prices for whatever you decide.

Obviously this is just my opinion and everyone's different so you may like the Cara Cara, but if you don't want something that feels like a cheap piece of plastic then stay away from the FRN model of the Cara Cara.

[powernoodle]

Cara Cara 2.


Native.


Tenacious family.

[captain spaulding]

Thanks Noodle. I think I need to bust out my Resilience now and carry the beast. 

[powernoodle]

Resilience

 

[Demel]

Thanks cap. Good insights. Its really hard to tell on paper. I need them all in hand. Lol Powernoodle: in the tenacious family, what knife is second from the top?

[captain spaulding]

Tenacious


From top: #2,3, and 4 are all Tenacious's.



Edit: I know you weren't asking me, but what the heck. 

[SAK Guy]

The Tenacious is awesome...I couldn't think of a better Spydie for the money.

[Demel]

Tenacious


From top: #2,3, and 4 are all Tenacious's.



Edit: I know you weren't asking me, but what the heck. 

No problem. Are those g10 scales or thr frn? I don't know the difference. How do they compare?

[powernoodle]

All of the Tenacious family are G10.  The Cara Cara 2 - at least the one pictured above - is "FRN", aka plastic or "fiberglass reinforced nylon".

[captain spaulding]

Tenacious


From top: #2,3, and 4 are all Tenacious's.



Edit: I know you weren't asking me, but what the heck. 

No problem. Are those g10 scales or thr frn? I don't know the difference. How do they compare?

All the knives in Noodles Tenacious family picture are G-10 scales.

This should tell you everything you want to know.

https://www.spyderco.com/edge-u-cation/knifeanatomy.php

[Demel]

so far leaning toward tenacious. It's still a hard choice. That and the byrd.

[Grathr]

The Tenacious is a great knife, it really feels like a much more expencive knife, but I just like my Native and Delica better. I think it might be the back lock on the native and delica and that they weigh less.

[Aloha]

The Tenacious is a great knife, it really feels like a much more expencive knife, but I just like my Native and Delica better. I think it might be the back lock on the native and delica and that they weigh less.

^^^
This

The Tenacious is a a lot of knife for the money.  Cannot go wrong with it and Spyderco serrations are wicked.  I actually prefer my Spyder SE to my PE. 

[shark_za]

If all you want is serrated blade in that size range then go for the Spyderco Salt 1 or Tasman Salt if you want a hawkbill blade. ($70)

Linerless so they weigh nothing, very rust resistant steel for EDC tasks that adapts well to serrated edge. 

I'd probably hate to sharpen a s35v serrated blade but soft H1 is a doddle.

I often carry bigger knives and am loving my Pacific Salt fully serrated.

[shark_za]

While the FRN Byrds do have edges on the scales that some don't like they are perfectly serviceable, hard wearing and tough.

I even got this serrated edge to carry as a second knife on occasion.
The smaller Meadowlark based Rescue 2 as opposed to the larger Cara Cara based one. (Also available in hawkbill)
$20.50

[Teofilo]

The SE endura is almost the same size as the tenacious
If you ask me, I'll go for the tenacious. Value for money.

[powernoodle]

Perhaps it may be easier to ask, "what should I start with"?  Since they all cut stuff pretty much the same, maybe just buy what you like.  And sometime down the road, add to your arsenal whatever is next on your list.

[AimlessWanderer]

Perhaps it may be easier to ask, "what should I start with"?  Since they all cut stuff pretty much the same, maybe just buy what you like.  And sometime down the road, add to your arsenal whatever is next on your list.

.... and on that note, I'd start with the cheapest to prove the concept. I know first hand that what works on paper, doesn't always work in the pocket. Buy the cheap one and try it out. I the concept doesn't work and you end up thinking a different combo might be better, you've not lost much. If it works well however, you can upgrade later at your leisure

[Demel]

Took a trip to Cabela's today and got in hand a few knives in hand. The delica looks nice but I didn't like it much. Too small and light. The tenacious is a winner for me. The g10 scales feel much better than I gave it credit for. Well balanced, very nice blade size and it opens like butter I still want to get a byrd meadowlark in hand. On the flip side I got a hold of a kershaw shallot that will be on my wishlist for my birthday this year.

[captain spaulding]

Took a trip to Cabela's today and got in hand a few knives in hand. The delica looks nice but I didn't like it much. Too small and light. The tenacious is a winner for me. The g10 scales feel much better than I gave it credit for. Well balanced, very nice blade size and it opens like butter I still want to get a byrd meadowlark in hand. On the flip side I got a hold of a kershaw shallot that will be on my wishlist for my birthday this year.

Glad you got to get a few of them in hand. You just never know until you actually hold one.

[Demel]

Took a trip to Cabela's today and got in hand a few knives in hand. The delica looks nice but I didn't like it much. Too small and light. The tenacious is a winner for me. The g10 scales feel much better than I gave it credit for. Well balanced, very nice blade size and it opens like butter I still want to get a byrd meadowlark in hand. On the flip side I got a hold of a kershaw shallot that will be on my wishlist for my birthday this year.

Glad you got to get a few of them in hand. You just never know until you actually hold one.

Exactly. I was really sold on the frn scales but I like the more balanced feel from the g10.