C41 Native

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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, the latest generation features a screw together construction, VG-10 blade, and is produced in Seki-City, Japan.

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)

Designer

Spyderco

History, mentionings from the forums etc.

  • History info by Sal on the Spyderco forums.
  • "BEWARE Native BRK not made by Spyderco" thread on the Spyderco forums. Discussion about the "BRK First Generation" Native.
  • Introducing by Sal of the G-10 with shell inlay Natives on the Spyderco forums in 2000.
  • "Native vs. Native III" thread on the Spyderco forums.
  • Go here for detailled 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."[1]

See also: C41BBK[2], C41PN[3], C41TN[4], C41[5], C41CF[6], C41PPR[7].

Variations

All C41 Natives have a

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 Metal, Barrel bolt LH/RH, TU
C41BK Black FRN PE PS CPM-440V 2000-2003 ? Boye dent introduced in last batches N/A Hollow Metal, Barrel bolt LH/RH, TU
C41BK Black FRN PE PS CPM-S30V 2004- 83.95$ (2004), 99.95$ (2009) N/A Hollow Metal, Barrel bolt LH/RH, TU
C41BBK Black FRN PE PS CPM-S30V black 2005-: PS; 2006: PE 109.95$ (2009) N/A Hollow Metal, Barrel bolt LH/RH, TU
C41PSTN Tan FRN PS CPM-S30V 2006 74.95$ (2006) "Operation Iraqi Freedom" on blade N/A Hollow Metal, Barrel bolt LH/RH, TU
C41PPN Pink FRN PE CPM-S30V 2008- 109.95$ (2009) N/A Hollow 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- 259.95$ (2009) N/A Hollow Metal, 4-way LH/RH, TD/TU

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

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

References

  1. The C41BK Native in Spyderco's online catalog
  2. The C41BBK Native in Spyderco's online catalog
  3. The C41PN Native in Spyderco's online catalog
  4. The C41TN Native in Spyderco's online catalog
  5. The C41 Native Stainless Steel in Spyderco's online catalog
  6. The C41CF Native 4 in Spyderco's online catalog
  7. The C41PPR Native Forum 2009 in Spyderco's online catalog

Pictures

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

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