|
C41PYL5 / SYL5
NATIVE® 5
LIGHTWEIGHT SALT® YELLOW CPM® MAGNACUT®
MSRP: $216.00
ORIGIN: USA
|
|
|
Spyderco is very proud and excited to release our first full-production knife featuring CPM MagnaCut blade steel. As a platform for this release, we chose our Native 5 Lightweight Salt, both in honor of its iconic status in our product line and to highlight MagnaCut’s ultra-corrosion-resistant properties.
|
|
Native Beginnings
The Spyderco Native has a long and fascinating history that spans more than 25 years of evolution. Originally designed in 1996 for sale to Walmart, its blades and handles were supposed to be manufactured by the Camillus Knife Company of Syracuse, New York and assembled at the Spyderco factory in Golden, Colorado. Unfortunately, this arrangement did not work out as planned and the deal with Walmart ultimately fell through; however, we did receive a small batch of original blades from Camillus, all of which were made from 440A stainless steel.
Determined to make the Native a reality, Spyderco purchased the handle molds from Camillus and set about upgrading the design with Japanese GIN-1 stainless steel blades and improved lock geometry. Although Blue Ridge Knives, a major knife distributor, purchased the 440A blades, handles, and hardware and assembled them into a limited number of “First Generation BRK” Natives, the quality of those knives was quickly overshadowed by the improved version manufactured in Golden.
|
|
Released in 1997, the original Native was specifically designed as an affordable, extremely ergonomic, lightweight folder. It was also instrumental in introducing Spyderco’s patented reversible pocket clip, which replaced the integral clip of our early lightweight models with a steel clip and barrel-bolt hardware to provide a choice of left or right-side, tip-up carry. Although a stainless-steel-handled version was briefly produced in Japan, the lightweight Native quickly distinguished itself as a flagship of Spyderco’s American-made product line, offering excellent quality and made-in-USA craftsmanship at a budget-friendly price.
As the Native continued to gain popularity, Spyderco revamped its design to yield the C78 Native III in 2003 and the Native IV in 2005. The Native IV lightweight was particularly well received and ultimately inspired several variations, including a low-profile, black-bladed version for tactical applications and a pink-handled version that helped support Spyderco’s charitable contributions to breast cancer research. A tan-handled version was also produced exclusively for the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) and to support a monthly drawing in which Spyderco gave away free knives to forward-deployed U.S. military personnel.
|
|
The Native 5:
In 2011, Spyderco did a major overhaul of the Native’s design to create the current fifth-generation pattern. Introduced first with full, skeletonized stainless steel liners, peel-ply-textured G-10 scales, and a stainless steel backspacer, it showcased a highly refined back lock mechanism. The product of extensive research, development, and testing, the Native 5’s back lock set a new standard in the engineering and execution of this elegantly simple lock design, offering increased strength, an exceptionally smooth action, an improved self-close function, and even greater resistance to wear and tear than previous versions.
Although the Native 5 retained the profile of its predecessors’ signature spearpoint blades, it traded their deep hollow grind and dramatic swedge for a full-flat grind and an understated bevel on the spine. It also faithfully maintained the design’s forefinger choil, which allows forward grip for increased leverage and control during use.
|
|
|
Another significant design enhancement of the Native 5 was its pocket clip. While early generations of the design were limited to tip-up carry only, the Native 5 added the versatility of a four-position hourglass pocket clip that offers a choice of tip-up or tip-down carry on both sides of the body.
|
|
|
The G-10-handled Native 5 redefined the state of the art in back lock folding knives and inspired several different variations, including a version with a CPM S110V® blade, one with fluted titanium handle scales, and one with fluted carbon fiber scales that served as the foundation of Spyderco’s 40th Anniversary commemorative knife. Serious end users, however, longed for a lightweight version that combined all the design refinements of the Native 5 platform with the weight-saving advantages of an injection-molded handle. The answer to that calling was the Native 5 Lightweight.
|
|
The Native 5 Lightweight:
Introduced in 2014, the Native 5 Lightweight faithfully incorporates all the defining features of the G-10-handled Native 5 design into a linerless fiberglass-reinforced-nylon (FRN) handle. This reduces the overall weight of the knife to a scant 2.4-2.5 ounces (68-71 grams), depending upon the specific blade steel and edge configuration. It also adds the benefits of a molded Bi-Directional Texture™ pattern for an ultra-secure grip and a robust new hourglass clip design with a larger mounting base for increased strength and durability. Four sets of threaded inserts molded directly into the back side of the FRN scales provide sturdy mounting platforms and allow the clip to be positioned for left or right-side tip-up or tip-down carry. A generously sized lanyard hole also provides a handy attachment point for lanyards, fobs, and safety lines.
Like the Native IV, the Native 5 Lightweight soon became a platform for multiple variations showcasing different handle colors, edge configurations, and, for tactical applications, black-bladed versions with a non-reflective Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) blade coating.
Initially, the blades of both the Native 5 and Native 5 Lightweight were crafted from CPM S35VN—a steel designed to offer greater toughness than CPM S30V®. Later, full-production versions of both models were introduced featuring CPM S110V blades. Based on our extensive in-house testing and primary emphasis on cutting performance, in 2018, all standard models of both knives began a phased process of switching from CPM S35VN to CPM S30V. That same year, the Native 5 Lightweight joined Spyderco’s elite Salt Series of knives, showcasing a high-visibility yellow handle and a blade crafted from ultra-corrosion-resistant LC200N.
|
|
While bright yellow handles are a signature element of our Salt Series, as our Salt Series evolved to include more blade steels, we decided to standardize the themes of their handle colors. For our lightweight LC200N knives, we chose a vibrant green color. To make the LC200N-bladed Native 5 Lightweight consistent with its brethren, we recently changed its handle color to bright green. That freed the signature yellow color of our US-made Salt knives to pair with our newest Salt-worthy blade steel, the highly anticipated CPM MagnaCut.
Heralded as one of the most significant developments in blade steel in recent history, MagnaCut offers an extraordinary combination of cutting performance, edge retention, and toughness. Based on Spyderco’s extensive testing of this steel, it also delivers exceptional corrosion resistance—so exceptional we decided it was worthy of inclusion in our industry-leading Salt Series.
The yellow-handled Native 5 Lightweight Salt is the first full-production Spyderco knife to showcase MagnaCut blade steel. It proudly combines all the best-in-class features of the highly evolved Native 5 Lightweight platform with the performance advantages of MagnaCut. Its full-flat-ground blade offers thin, low-friction edge geometry and is available in a choice of PlainEdge™ or fully serrated SpyderEdge™ configurations. Its bright yellow FRN handle ensures excellent visibility and all its hardware—including its broad-based four-position pocket clip—is made from highly corrosion-resistant alloys.
Arguably the perfect cutting tool for use in and around the water, the Native 5 Lightweight Salt MagnaCut is sure to set new standards in Reliable High Performance™.
|
|
|
Few developments have caused as much excitement in the knife industry as the development of MagnaCut steel. A uniquely different approach to stainless steel metallurgy, it offers an unparalleled synergy of toughness, edge retention, and corrosion resistance. To fully understand the brilliance of this remarkable blade material, it helps to understand the man behind it: Dr. Larrin Thomas.
|
|
Larrin Thomas is the son of Devin Thomas, a renowned custom bladesmith and one of the pioneers of making stainless Damascus steel. After attending the Las Vegas Custom Knife show with his father at age 16, Larrin became fascinated with the performance aspects of various blade steels and how they are affected by their alloy composition and heat treatment protocols. That fascination ultimately led him to earn a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering from the prestigious Colorado School of Mines.
Although he works full time as a metallurgist in the automotive industry, Larrin’s deep passion for knife steels made him an active participant in various Internet knife forums. That later inspired him to create KnifeSteelNerds.com, a website dedicated to providing in-depth, science-based information on all aspects of blade steel performance, testing, and history. He is also the author of Knife Engineering: Steel, Heat Treating, and Geometry, a definitive book on all aspects of knife performance.
|
|
The Logic of MagnaCut:
Larrin’s inspiration for MagnaCut began with a fascination with Crucible® Industries’ CPM S30V, a powder metallurgy stainless steel developed specifically for use as a knife steel. Early powder metallurgy steels like CPM S60V®, Elmax, and M390 combined vanadium with a high chromium content (17-20%), resulting in steels that offered good wear resistance and corrosion resistance, but relatively low toughness. The high chromium content of these steels promoted the formation of chromium carbides, which produced a coarse microstructure that was detrimental to their toughness.
In contrast, non-stainless powder metallurgy steels have small vanadium carbides that provide excellent wear resistance and a finer microstructure. These steels, like CPM 3V, CPM 4V, and Vanadis 8, offer a much better balance of wear resistance and toughness, but at the expense of corrosion resistance.
In developing, CPM S30V, Crucible reduced the amount of chromium in the steel to limit the formation of large chromium carbides. While it would seem this would compromise the steel’s corrosion resistance, it actually allowed the other alloys in the steel matrix to form carbides and left more chromium “in solution.” Chromium in solution is the key to a stainless steel’s corrosion resistance properties, as it is what enables the steel to form a microscopic layer of chromium oxide on its external surface, protecting it from rust.
Based on this principle, Larrin’s idea was to reduce a steel’s chromium content even further while promoting the formation of smaller, harder, wear-resistant carbides. Those would maximize the toughness and edge retention of the steel while leaving practically all its chromium in solution to provide corrosion resistance.
Larrin’s first efforts to pursue this idea involved modeling it in metallurgical software called Thermo-Calc. Initially, the results were not encouraging. According to the software, reducing the chromium content of a steel like S30V would actually decrease the amount of chromium in solution, lowering the steel’s corrosion resistance without reducing its volume of chromium carbide. Achieving that would require reducing the carbon content, but at the risk of compromising the steel’s hardness. After much trial and error, Larrin found a narrow range of carbon and chromium content that would provide hardness and adequate chromium in solution for corrosion resistance while promoting the formation of vanadium and niobium carbides for wear resistance and toughness. To optimize the balance of those properties, he decided to focus somewhat more on toughness than edge retention, since there were already a number of other particle metallurgy steels that emphasized wear resistance. His goal was to equal or surpass the performance of CPM 4V and CPM CRU-WEAR®, but in a stainless steel.
|
|
From Theory to Reality
Making the leap from a theoretical material conceived in software to an actual steel proved to be a significant challenge. Small-scale powder metallurgy production is a very expensive proposition, so Larrin decided to contact one of the major steel manufacturers and try to get them to embrace his logic. Since he began his journey with a fascination for CPM S30V, he approached Crucible Industries first. In addition to being a leader in the development and production of steels geared toward the cutlery industry, they had a close partnership with Niagara Specialty Metals to do the hot rolling.
Larrin prepared a detailed PowerPoint presentation on his idea and actually pitched it to Niagara first. They were intrigued by the concept and agreed to help present it to Crucible’s experts. After fielding countless questions from the Crucible staff to prove his credibility, Larrin succeeded in convincing them to produce a heat of the steel. He then sent samples of it to a select group of custom knifemakers who specialize in the use of high-alloy steels and the performance testing of their knives. They confirmed that the theory of his creation held up in practice. Larrin had indeed created a very special blade steel.
|
|
MagnaCut Composition and Properties:
The chemical composition of CPM MagnaCut includes 1.15% Carbon, 10.7% Chromium, 2.0% Molybdenum, 4.0% Vanadium, 2.0% Niobium, and 0.2% Nitrogen. When heat treated, this careful balance of elements produces a carbide structure that is significantly finer than typical powder metallurgy stainless steels like CPM 154, M390, Elmax, and CPM S35VN. Although the total carbide volume of the steel is comparable to CPM 4V, the finer niobium carbides reduce the overall carbide size within the steel to yield a superior carbide structure.
MagnaCut is capable of achieving relatively high hardness—over 63 on the Rockwell “C” scale (RC) without cold treatment after quenching and 64-65 RC with the benefit of cryogenic treatment. In terms of toughness, it is very comparable to CPM 4V and Vanadis 4 Extra and surpasses even non-stainless steels renowned for their toughness, like CPM M4 and A2. Even at its maximum hardness of approximately 65 RC, its toughness rivals the best powder metallurgy stainless steels when they are tempered to typical knife blade hardnesses of 60-61 RC.
The edge retention of MagnaCut is on par with blade materials like CPM S35VN, CPM 4V, and CPM CRU-WEAR—all well-respected steels in terms of edge holding. However, perhaps its most surprising quality is its outstanding corrosion resistance, which approaches that of Vanax and LC200N. Interestingly, those steels can only achieve a hardness of about 60-61 RC, even with cryogenic treatments. MagnaCut is clearly capable of achieving higher hardnesses, while still offering excellent corrosion resistance and outstanding toughness.
By challenging the conventional wisdom of steel design, Larrin Thomas has created a remarkable blade material that is sure to have profound impact on the knife industry. While the number of MagnaCut knives in the field is still limited, real-world feedback from end users and custom knifemakers has so far been extremely positive. Spyderco is grateful to Larrin Thomas for raising the bar of steel performance and excited to feature MagnaCut in more of our products very soon.
To read more about Dr. Larrin Thomas and the development of MagnaCut, we encourage you to visit and support KnifeSteelNerds.com.
|
|
|
Spyderco’s Sales and Marketing Crew started the New Year with a bang by exhibiting at two major shows in January. We began the month with a marathon 16-day effort at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado. One of our state’s most popular tourist attractions, this incredible consumer event is the premier livestock, rodeo, and horse show in the United States.
The National Western Stock Show celebrates, honors, and preserves the unique lifestyle and culture of the American West. This year’s show drew more than 702,000 guests, making it the fourth highest attended show in the 117-year history of this remarkable event. One of the highlights of this year’s show was the Auction of Junior Livestock Champions, which set a new sales record of $585,000 across the top eight champion animals, including “Stan the Man,” the 2023 Grand Champion Steer, which sold for a record $200,000.
Spyderco is extremely proud to support this hometown event and would like to express our sincere thanks to everyone who took the time to visit us during the show.
|
|
In late January, a large contingent of the Spyderco Crew traveled to Las Vegas to exhibit at the 2023 Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade ShowSM (SHOT Show®). Held at the Sands Convention and Expo Center and the adjacent Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum, SHOT is the world’s largest trade event dedicated to the firearms, hunting, tactical, and outdoor sports markets.
This year’s event, the 44th annual, attracted more than 2,500 exhibitors, 2,000 members of the media, and over 52,000 attendees from all 50 states and 115 countries. The show’s total exhibit space spanned 18.7 acres and 13.9 miles of show aisles.
SHOT is the premier venue for manufacturers and distributors to exhibit their wares to dealers, the media, and other formal members of the shooting, hunting, military, law enforcement, and outdoor trade industries. From Spyderco’s perspective, it is the best opportunity for us to reconnect with our dealers and distributors, build our dealer network, and showcase our products to our customer base.
To maximize our visibility to both our trade partners and members of the tactical community, Spyderco exhibited at two different booths. Our main booth was staffed by members of our Sales, Marketing, and Media Relations teams, supported by additional Crew members and a few special guests. They met with established dealers and distributors, fielded inquiries from prospective dealers, and presented our products to members of the outdoor media. With the outstanding support of design collaborator Paul Alexander and custom knifemaker Shawn Houston, they also provided a rare glimpse of select prototypes and concept models.
Our OpFocus® booth was strategically located in the heart of the show’s dedicated law enforcement section. Staffed by our OpFocus team, it represented the “tactical side” of Spyderco to specialized dealers, law enforcement and military personnel, government procurement officers, tactical trainers, and other armed professionals.
This year’s SHOT Show was incredibly successful and we are extremely grateful to everyone who visited us for their continued support and interest in our products.
|
|
|
|
