C41 Native

The C41 Native is a mid-sized knife with a drop point blade and a deep finger cutout in the handle that was introduced in 1997.

Generations

Four Native generations can be differentiated:

• Generation 1: Native Lightweight, FRN and G-10 handles, available since 1997, produced in Golden, U.S.A.
• Generation 2: Native SS, Stainless Steel handle variant, available from 1997-2007, produced in Seki-City, Japan.
• Generation 3: Native 3, thicker, ergonomic 3-D FRN handle, wire clip, and VG-10 blade. The 3rd generation of the Native is not further described in this article as Spyderco has assigned it the C78 SKU, see C78 Native III.
• Generation 4: Native 4, features a screw together construction, VG-10 blade, and is produced in Seki-City, Japan.
• Generation 5: Native5, the latest generation features a screw together construction, CPM-S35VN Full Flat grind blade, and is produced in Golden, CO.

Appearance in catalogs

The C41 Native appeared in the following catalogs (older, newer):

• 1997 Spyderco Products (C41BK with 440A steel type listed)
• 1998 Spyderco Products (C41BK)
• 1999-2001 Spyderco Products (C41BK, C41)
• 2002 Spyderco Products (C41BK, C41, also a non-existing C41BK with VG-10 is shown, released as C78)
• 2003-2005 Spyderco Products (C41BK, C41)
• 2006-2007 Spyderco Products (C41BK, C41BBK, C41)
• 2008 Spyderco Products (C41BK, C41BBK)
• 2008 Spyderco Mid-Year Product Supplement (C41CFP)
• 2009 Spyderco Products (C41BK, C41BBK, C41PPN, C41CFP)
• 2011 Spyderco Products (C41G5)

Designer

Spyderco

History, mentionings from the forums etc.

On the Spyderco forums:

• History info by Sal.
• "BEWARE Native BRK not made by Spyderco" thread. Discussion about the "BRK First Generation" Native.
• Introducing by Sal of the G-10 with shell inlay Natives in 2000.
• "Native vs. Native III" thread.
• The Spyderco Forum Knife 2009 thread.

Others:

• Go here for detailed Native history notes by "The Deacon" on his site.

Information from the Spyderco catalog on the web

C41BK:

"Engineered for the human hand, the Native's ergonomic design maximizes cutting ability while minimizing discomfort and fatigue. This model is all about combining performance and comfort. Since the portion of the knife most in contact with the user is the handle, that became key while the model was in initial development on the drawing table. We've created a handle pattern with two separate finger choils. The first choil (where the blade and handle meet) allow positioning the index finger closer to the knife's sharpened edge for control over the cutting surface. Behind the first choil, the second positions the hand farther back on the folder for dexterous cutting while pushing the blade away from you. Bi-Directional Texturing molded into the FRN handle form varying levels of steps minimizing forward or backward sliding. Carved out of the locking lever is a David Boye Dent insuring the lock remains safely engaged even when gripping the handle forcefully. A section of non-sharpened serrations line the blade's spine yield an additional slip resistant point for the thumb. The blade itself is hollow-ground CPM-S30V steel with a weight reducing swedge ground from the spine. A black steel tip-up clip can be placed ambidextrously on both sides of the handle via a barrel-shaped screw that doubles as a lanyard."

See also: C41BBK, C41PN, C41TN, C41, C41CF, C41PPR, C41G5.

Variations

All C41 Natives have a

• Back Lock locking mechanism
• Drop Point Blade
• 50/50 choil
• deep finger cutout in the handle behind the choil

Variations of the Native Lightweight (Generation 1)

All Native Lightweights are made in Golden, U.S.A.

SKU	Handle	Edge(s)	Steel	From/To	MSRP	Note	Number made	Grind	Clip	Clip positions	Collectors club
C41BK	Black FRN	PE PS	GIN-1/G-2	1997-1999	?		N/A	Hollow	Black Metal, Barrel bolt	LH/RH, TU
C41BK	Black FRN	PE PS	CPM-440V	2000-2003	?	Boye dent introduced in last batches	N/A	Hollow	Black Metal, Barrel bolt	LH/RH, TU
C41BK	Black FRN	PE PS	CPM-S30V	2004-	83.95$ (2004), 99.95$ (2009)		N/A	Hollow	Black Metal, Barrel bolt	LH/RH, TU
C41BBK	Black FRN	PE PS	CPM-S30V black	2005-: PS; 2006: PE	109.95$ (2009)		N/A	Hollow	Black Metal, Barrel bolt	LH/RH, TU
C41PSTN	Tan FRN	PS	CPM-S30V	2006	74.95$ (2006)	Multiple variations of engraving on blade, including: "Operation Iraqi Freedom", "Operation Enduring Freedom", and "Operation New Dawn". Also engraved on all, "We pray for your safe return". Not available to dealers or distributors, Active Duty Soldiers in Iraq or Afghanistan may enter to win one or may purchase through AAFEES, the local TFE, or their stateside MCSS.	N/A	Hollow	Silver Metal, Barrel bolt	LH/RH, TU
C41PPN	Pink FRN	PE	CPM-S30V	2008-	109.95$ (2009)		N/A	Hollow	Chrome Metal, Barrel bolt	LH/RH, TU
C41PPR	Purple FRN	PE	CPM-S30V	2009	109.95$ (2009)	Sprint Run, Spyderco Forum Knife 2009	300	Full Flat	Chrome Metal, Barrel bolt	LH/RH, TU

Variations of the Native SS (Generation 2)

All Native SSs are made in Seki-City, Japan.

SKU	Handle	Edge(s)	Steel	From/To	MSRP	Note	Number made	Grind	Clip	Clip positions	Collectors club
C41	Stainless Steel	PE PS	AUS-10	1998-2007: PS, 2002: PE	94.95$ (2004)		N/A	Hollow	Metal, Barrel bolt	LH/RH, TU

Variations of the Native 4 (Generation 4)

All Native 4s are made in Seki-City, Japan.

SKU	Handle	Edge(s)	Steel	From/To	MSRP	Note	Number made	Grind	Clip	Clip positions	Collectors club
C41CFP	Black CF	PE	VG-10	2008-2009	259.95$ (2009)		N/A	Hollow	Metal, 4-way	LH/RH, TD/TU

Variations of the Native 5 (Generation 5)

All Native 5s are made in Golden, Colorado.

SKU	Handle	Edge(s)	Steel	From/To	MSRP	Note	Number made	Grind	Clip	Clip positions	Collectors club
C41G5	Black G-10	PE	CPM-S35VN	2011-	199.95$ (2011)		N/A	Full Flat	Chrome, 4-way	LH/RH, TD/TU	Main
C41MP5	Moonglow	PE	CPM-S35VN	Feb. 2013	229.95$ (2013)	EDC Forums Exclusive with EDCF logo on blade	600-750	Full Flat	Chrome, 4-way	LH/RH, TD/TU	Variant
C41TIFP	Fluted Ti	PE	CPM-S35VN	Mar. 2013-	399.95$ (2013)	Won Blade Show's American Made Knife of the Year in 2011, but wasn't released until almost two years later.	N/A	Full Flat	Chrome, 4-way	LH/RH, TD/TU	Variant
C41GPGR5	Dark Green Diamond-Cut texture G-10	PE	CPM-S110V	2013	249.95$ (2013)	Spyderco Forum Knife 2013 laser-engraved on reverse side of blade.	N/A	Full Flat	Chrome, 4-way hourglass	LH/RH, TD/TU	Variant
C41CFP5	Peel ply CF	PE	CPM-S110V	2013	319.95$ (2013)		N/A	Full Flat	Metal, 4-way	LH/RH, TD/TU	Variant

Other variations

The following variations are all made in Golden, U.S.A.

SKU	Handle	Edge(s)	Steel	From/To	MSRP	Note	Number made	Grind	Clip	Clip positions	Collectors club
C41GBL	Blue G-10	PE PS	CPM-440V	1999-?	139.95$		700 total?; 300 special for BladeForum-numbered, 200 for collectors, 200 to dealers	Hollow	Metal, Barrel bolt	LH/RH, TU
C41GPI	Black G-10 with Blue Mosaic Inlay	PE	CPM-440V	2000	139.95$ (2000)	Sprint	500, numbered	Hollow	Metal, Barrel bolt	RH, TU
C41GPSI	Black G-10 with Root Beer Inlay	PS	CPM-440V	2000	139.95$ (2000)	Sprint	500, numbered	Hollow	Metal, Barrel bolt	RH, TU

Most collectible variation

Questions regarding collecting the C41

Some interesting questions we are looking for an answer to:

Are the early Native SS made in Golden, U.S.A., as indicated in 1999 catalog? If yes, till when?

Questions with an answer:

Technical information

Measurements (mm and grams) of the C41 Native:

Variation	Length overall	Length closed	Length blade	Length edge	Hole Ø	Blade thickness	Weight
C41 FRN (1997-2003), 1st generation	178mm	97mm	80mm	64mm	12mm	3mm	68g
C41 FRN (2004-), 1st generation	178mm	100mm	80mm	67mm	12mm	3mm	75.2g
C41, 2nd generation	178mm	97mm	80mm	64mm	12mm	3mm	131g
C41 CF, 4th generation	178mm	100mm	76mm	64mm	12mm	3mm	89g
C41G5, 5th generation	175mm	102mm	76mm	62mm	13mm	3mm	105g
C41TIFP, 5th generation	175mm	102mm	76mm	62mm	13mm	3mm	117g

Measurements (inches and ounces) of the C41 Native:

Variation	Length overall	Length closed	Length blade	Length edge	Hole Ø	Blade thickness	Weight
C41 FRN (1997-2003), 1st generation	7"	3 7/8"	3 1/8"	2 1/2"	15/32"	1/8"	2.4oz
C41 FRN (2004-), 1st generation	7"	3 15/16"	3 1/8"	2 5/8"	15/32"	1/8"	2.65oz
C41, 2nd generation	7"	3 7/8"	3 1/8"	2 1/2"	15/32"	1/8"	4.6oz
C41 CF, 4th generation	7"	3 15/16"	3"	2 1/2"	15/32"	1/8"	3.2oz
C41G5, 5th generation	6 7/8"	4"	3"	2 7/16"	1/2"	1/8"	3.7oz
C41TIFP, 5th generation	6 7/8"	4"	3"	2 7/16"	1/2"	1/8"	4.1oz

Pictures

See e.g. the "Native appreciation" thread on the Spyderco forums.