Spyderco Native Chief Lightweight

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Our Price: $204.99

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Product Code: C244PBK

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Description

First introduced in 1997, the original Spyderco Native quickly established a high standard for affordable, lightweight folding knives that deliver full-service functionality. Designed to showcase American craftsmanship at an exceptionally accessible price point, it also served as the platform for Spyderco's innovative reversible "barrel-bolt" pocket clip.

As the Native garnered a loyal following, some users expressed interest in a larger version that would provide increased blade length and improved ergonomics for those with larger hands. In response to this demand, Spyderco developed a prototype in 1999, named the Native Chief. This design preserved the pocket-friendly width of the Native while extending its overall length by nearly two inches. True to Spyderco's approach, the prototype was showcased at various trade shows and customer events to gather comprehensive feedback. Concurrently, the company continued refining the design in-house to fully unlock its potential.

Despite the overwhelmingly positive feedback, creating longer-bladed knives presents unique challenges. The increased blade length results in a longer leverage arm, which places additional pressure on the lock mechanism. These complexities were eventually overshadowed by other priorities and models, leading to the Native Chief being set aside for several years.

The turning point for the Native Chief came with the development of the Native 5—the fifth-generation evolution of its predecessor. The highly refined Native 5 embodies over two decades of real-world use, extensive customer feedback, and Spyderco's unwavering commitment to Constant Quality Improvement (C.Q.I.). A standout feature of this model is its advanced lockback mechanism, the result of years of meticulous research, development, and testing, along with a significant investment in ultra-high-precision machinery. This lockback redefined the engineering and execution of this seemingly simple mechanism, providing the final piece needed to bring the Native Chief to life.

The Native Chief is an "extended" version of the classic Spyderco Native, increasing the overall length of the original design by approximately one-third while maintaining its slim, pocket-friendly profile. The Native Chief Lightweight continues this evolution by replacing the G10 scales with a lightweight, fiberglass-reinforced nylon (FRN) handle. The injection-molded handle features high-traction Bi-Directional Texturing, and its linerless construction reduces the knife's weight by 21% compared to its predecessor. It retains the same precision-machined lockback mechanism and includes four sets of threaded inserts for fully configurable mounting of the knife's four-position pocket clip. The blade of the Native Chief Lightweight is full-flat ground from CTS-BD1N stainless steel and features a fully accessible Trademark Round Hole, enhancing the knife's symmetrical, ambidextrous design.

**Specifications**
- Blade Length: 4.02" (102 mm)
- Cutting Edge: 3.52" (89 mm)
- Closed Length: 5.08" (129 mm)
- Overall Length: 9.05" (230 mm)
- Blade Thickness: 0.125" (3.2 mm)
- Blade Material: CTS-BD1N Stainless Steel
- Blade Style: Drop Point
- Blade Grind: Full Flat
- Blade Finish: Satin
- Blade Edge: Plain
- Handle Material: Fiberglass-Reinforced Nylon
- Handle Color: Black
- Locking Mechanism: Lockback
- Pocket Clip: Tip-Up/Down, Left/Right Carry
- Model Number: C244PBK
- Model Name: Native Chief Lightweight
- Weight: 3.1 oz. (88 g)
- Made in the USA

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