Sage 4 vs Native 5

[Wolverine666]

Sounds like the Creature Double Feature , I know. I'm just curious which knife people prefer between these two "smaller" knives. The are similar in size , blade steel (S30V vs S35VN) and lock types. The Sage 4 is heavier at 4.2 oz. vs the Native 5's 3.7 oz. And the handle material differs as well (not to mention a steeper price for the Sage 4). That Ironwood is damn good-looking. But black G10 is tried and true.

So what's everyone's opinions ? Also , does anyone have any side-by-side pics they could share ?

[computernut]

I love the grip of G10 but it starts shredding the edges of my pockets pretty quick. I have the Sage4 and Native FRN but not the Native5... yet

[Wolverine666]

I'm not crazy about the blade shape on the Native 5. It tapers too much for my taste. But it is still a nice knife.

[jackknifeh]

I had a Native lightweight but never a Native5. They have a lot of differences but I have a feeling the "feel" is similar and the "feel" of the Native I had was VERY nice. The other changes in the Native5 I really like so I'm sure it's a great knife. I doubt that there is much difference in the S30V and S30VN. I really like S30V. But not having one limits my ability to judge.

I will say that I absolutely love the Sage4 after having it for 8 days. I always loved the ergos of the Sage1 and the Sage4 is pretty much the same. The only difference is feeling the cutout for the liner lock on the Sage1 but unless I'm thinking about it that goes unnoticed. The Sage4 feels like a VERY VERY sturdy knife. That may be deceiving because of the weight. It may only be a VERY sturdy knife. It is a heavier knife and I'm sure too heavy for EDC for some. I've been playing with it a lot since I got it and it's getting smoother by the day.

[bh49]

IMHO these two knives have quite different. Native5 is the great EDC knife, which can handle 99% of most people EDC tasks and 100% of what you expect from 3" blade. Also it looks good, at least for me. Sage4 is gents knife, man's pocket jewelry. I do not have one yet, but I think that it is build well enough to handle almost any job you would want to do with this size of the knife. Certainly Native5 is much better in the grip department and cost. So all depends on your need: for dress-up occasions, office environment I would choose Sage4 out of these two, for everything else Native5.

[The Deacon]

Depends. Native V either gets points for having a 4 way clip, or loses them for not having a wire clip. Both are heavy for their size, Sage IV even heavier than the Native. Sage IV has a fully accessible Spyderhole, Native V's is partially blocked. Native V is a bit narrower in the pocket, Sage IV handle feels better in my hand. Sage IV is the classier looking, but also a good bit more expensive. I carry both on occasion and, IMHO, they're both are excellent users but they both have features that annoy the living daylights out of me.

[dalefuller]

I currently EDC a Native 5 even over my Sebenzas and my Paras. In fact, my N5 has made me forget that I was mad at Spyderco for dropping the G10 Caly 3. I also have or had Sage 1 & 2 models. I like the Sages and I still have a CF Sage that gets occasional "dressy" carry, but the've never grown on me for everyday carry & use the way the Native has. Like bh49 said, I see them as two very different knife models. The Native series has always been more comfortable for me to hold and use than the Sages. I like G10, I like backlocks, and I like some extra weight to my knives. OTOH, I don't care for bolsters and wood scales. Been there, done that, moved on.

Functionally, both the Sages and the Natives are great slicers and that's 98% of what my knives do. I have no concern at all with either model about their toughness or their ability to step up into a heavier use category from time to time if need be. And I like S30V and S35VN just about equally well. Both my small Sebenza 21 and my Native 5 have performed well in my routine cutting chores so the blade steel is a wash for me as far as being a determining factor. It's down to aesthetics and ergonomics if I'm choosing between the two.

[gbelleh]

They are both very nice, and pretty much equally capable. So, it comes down to preference and intended use. I prefer the Sage 4, because of its materials and appearance. It's my only wood handled Spyderco, and is beautiful to look at, hold, and use. The Native 5 is nice, but in the end, it's just another black G-10 knife, and doesn't compare to the Para 2 for my EDC needs. So, the Sage 4 is the easy winner for me (not to take anything away from the Native).

[bh49]

they're both are excellent users but they both have features that annoy the living daylights out of me.

Paul, I am not big sage fan. I do not like half hump (the same issue with Manix2), but I am thinking about getting Sage4 mostly due to desire to get Ironwood. I am not 100% sure yet. Can you please tell me why Sage4 annoys you?

[rodloos]

I'll admit I haven't carried my Sage 4 yet, it's so pretty I want to keep it pristine for at least a little while .

My Native V came with a "purrrrrfect" grind on the blade. I don't know if it is a narrower angle than the typical Spydie or what, but man, it slices like a dream. Makes effortless little curls slicing from a stick. It may not be any better than S30V, but its no worse either. Very sharp, and has been easy for me to keep it that way (I don't cut wires or anything like that though ).

Like my sig says, get both!

[The Deacon]

Paul, I am not big sage fan. I do not like half hump (the same issue with Manix2), but I am thinking about getting Sage4 mostly due to desire to get Ironwood. I am not 100% sure yet. Can you please tell me why Sage4 annoys you?

The half hump doesn't bother me, in fact I kind of like it as it positions my thumb when I want it positioned, but also allows me to extend it forward on the spine when I want or need to. What irks me is the way the bolsters and scales are attached. I love bolsters, but I love them smooth. In my book, where bolsters and scales are concerned, screwed on is synonymous with screwed up. If you're going tactical, go all the way tactical, if you're going for the traditional look (and especially if you're out to pay homage to a design which incorporated smooth bolsters and pinned scales), then mount the stuff properly.

As for the Native V my biggest annoyance, aside from the partially blocked Spyderhole that plagues all versions of the Native, is the beveled spine. I prefer just a plain flat spine, both for esthetic reasons and because it's less uncomfortable to press down on if I need to do so.

Am sure the Sage IV can be fixed if I want to throw enough money at it, the Native V spine would look odd if ground down. Probably the reasons the Chaparral will see more pocket time than the Sage IV and Native V combined.

[gull wing]

Oh Deacon, tell me a little more about the Chaparral. I didn't get one because I thought it was so close to the D'Fly, so tell me, does it fill your hand better than the D'Fly?

[Mud Shrimp Moe]

Excuse my ignorance, but what is the "half hump" on a Sage? I own a Sage 1. I've looked at the Sage 4 pics. And I still don't know what you mean.

[Wolverine666]

Gbelleh , thanks for the pics. They are great. I really like the look of the Sage 4 so I think I'm probably going to get it.

Also , how does everyone feel about the thickness of the Sage 4's blade ? It is .118" thick (3mm) and that seems to be a perfect thickness for that size blade.

[willydigger]

Native 5 for me.

• Blade shape is preferred, though I agree with the swedge comment. I would have preferred a flat top.

• Made in USA.

• Pivot bushing. Though I don't have the Sage 4, I don't think it has it.

• G10. Though I may source out for Orange G10 some day. I love G10. For the Native 5 I consider it a medium grip.

Oh and the frog likes it.

[bh49]

What irks me is the way the bolsters and scales are attached. I love bolsters, but I love them smooth. In my book, where bolsters and scales are concerned, screwed on is synonymous with screwed up. If you're going tactical, go all the way tactical, if you're going for the traditional look (and especially if you're out to pay homage to a design which incorporated smooth bolsters and pinned scales), then mount the stuff properly.

As for the Native V my biggest annoyance, aside from the partially blocked Spyderhole that plagues all versions of the Native, is the beveled spine. I prefer just a plain flat spine, both for esthetic reasons and because it's less uncomfortable to press down on if I need to do so.

Paul, Thank you. I am with you on most issues, except that partially blocked spyderhole on Native is OK for me, never had issues.

Excuse my ignorance, but what is the "half hump" on a Sage?

The old story. Before Sage came out, Sal was talking about designs. Sometimes he feels like hump (Caly3), sometime like no hump (Native). And new design Sage like a crossbreed between Caly and Native.
For some reason I love a hump on Caly3 and nohump on FFG Natives. Do not care much about halfhump.

[jackknifeh]

Excuse my ignorance, but what is the "half hump" on a Sage? I own a Sage 1. I've looked at the Sage 4 pics. And I still don't know what you mean.

The Sage1 and Sage4 have the same hump. All Sages have the same shape. The hump is flatter than most Spydercos. So he called it a half hump. First time I heard that term. Personally, I like a hump enough to provide a thumb rest. Bigger than that I think looks like Igor. I think the Sages have an ideal hump. The hump is primarily to allow room for the hole I'm pretty sure.

Jack

[Wolverine666]

I like the hump. The Native5's lack of a real hump makes it look boring when in the closed position.

The Sage4 is a solid beast. It even weighs more than the Para Military2.

But I like that. Beefy is best.

[The Deacon]

Oh Deacon, tell me a little more about the Chaparral. I didn't get one because I thought it was so close to the D'Fly, so tell me, does it fill your hand better than the D'Fly?

As with most things, YMMV but, to me, the difference is night and day. D'fly handle is both shorter and narrower, and has less usable finger area due to the upswept "tail". It never felt right in my hand, always preferred the Navigator. Chaparral handle is long enough for a full and secure 3 finger grip behind the choil, and and equally secure 4 finger grip using the choil, plus it gives you a blade that's thinner, over a half inch longer, and has a larger Spyderhole. It's lack of the annoying spine bevel is yet another plus for me.

[Wolverine666]

I have to admit , it feels strange to purchase a Spyderco not made in Golden , CO. The Sage4 is made in Taiwan.