C230 Lil' Native
The C230 Lil' Native is part of Spyderco's USA-Made lineup and is a smaller version of the C41 Native.
Appearance in catalogs
The C230 Lil' Native appeared in the following catalogs:
- 2018 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2019 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2020 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2021 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2022 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2023 Spyderco Product Guide
- 2024 Spyderco Product Guide
Designer
History, mentionings from the forums etc.
Information from the Spyderco catalog on the web
C230 Lil' Native (compression lock)
"The iconic Native® has been a mainstay of Spyderco’s American-made product line for decades. Now all the highly evolved performance features of this incredibly popular design have been distilled into a compact gentlemen’s folder with a 2.5-inch blade. Its full-flat-ground CPM S30V stainless steel blade includes a prominent index-finger choil that flows seamlessly into the contours of the textured G-10 handle scales. The result is a compact, ergonomic package that still offers a full, four-fingered grip and excellent control. This version of the Lil’ Native goes a step further by adding our high-strength Compression Lock mechanism and a low-profile deep-pocket wire clip that is reversible for left or right-side tip-up carry."
The C230 Lil' Native in Spyderco's online catalog.
C230 Lil' Native Mid Back Lock
"The Lil’ Native Mid Back Lock takes the highly refined ergonomics of the best-selling Native® 5 and scales them down into an even handier, more compact package. In form, it is practically identical to its inspiration, but approximately 15 percent smaller overall. However, thanks to its ergonomic design and index-finger choil, it still provides a generous four-finger grip that allows it to perform with the authority of a full-sized knife.
This knife’s blade is precision machined from CPM® S30V® particle metallurgy stainless steel and is available with a choice of a PlainEdge™ or fully serrated SpyderEdge™. Full-flat ground for exceptional edge geometry, the matte-finished blade also features a fully accessible Trademark Round Hole™ that allows quick, positive, one-handed opening with either hand.
The blade is housed in a slim, linerless handle that includes textured G-10 scales, a stainless steel backspacer, and a broad-based four-position pocket clip with lanyard hole. Completely symmetrical in every way, this expression of the Lil’ Native design offers fully ambidextrous carry and operation and is ideal for both left and right-handed users."
The C230 Lil' Native Mid Back Lock in Spyderco's online catalog.
Variations
The C230 Lil' Native is made in Golden, CO and features a Leaf Shaped Blade.
| SKU | Handle | Lock | Edge(s) | Steel | From/To | MSRP | Note | Number made | Grind | Clip | Clip positions | Collectors club |
| C230GP | Black textured G-10 | Compression Lock | PE | Satin CPM-S30V | Dec. 2017- | $180.00 (2019) | Regular production | Full Flat | Silver deep pocket Wire | LH/RH, TU | Main | |
| C230GS | Black textured G-10 | Compression Lock | SE | Satin CPM-S30V | Feb. 2018- | $180.00 (2019) | Regular production | Full Flat | Silver deep pocket Wire | LH/RH, TU | Variant | |
| C230MBGP | Black textured G-10 | Mid Back Lock | PE | Satin CPM-S30V | Mar. 2018- | $195.00 (2019) | Has a lanyard hole | Regular production | Full Flat | Chrome silver Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant |
| C230MBGS | Black textured G-10 | Mid Back Lock | SE | Satin CPM-S30V | Mar. 2018- | $195.00 (2019) | Has a lanyard hole | Regular production | Full Flat | Chrome silver Hourglass | LH/RH, TD/TU | Variant |
| C230GPBBK | Black textured G-10 | Compression Lock | PE | Black DLC coated CPM-S30V | May 2018- | $200.00 (2019) | Black hardware, satin liners | Regular production | Full Flat | Black deep pocket Wire | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
| C230GSBBK | Black textured G-10 | Compression Lock | SE | Black DLC coated CPM-S30V | June 2018- | $200.00 (2019) | Black hardware, satin liners | Regular production | Full Flat | Black deep pocket Wire | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
| C230GPRDBK | Red textured G-10 | Compression Lock | PE | Black DLC coated CPM-4V | Aug. 4, 2019 @ 4 PM CST | $135.00 (street) | St. Nick's dealer Exclusive. Sold out in about 2 minutes. | ~350 | Full Flat | Black deep pocket Wire | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
| C230GPBORE | Burnt-orange textured G-10 | Compression Lock | PE | CPM REX 45 | May 2020 | $185.00 (2020) | Sprintrun | 1200 | Full Flat | Silver deep pocket Wire | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
| C230GPODFDE | Olive drab G-10 | Compression Lock | PE | Flat dark earth PVD coated CTS-204P | 2021 | $164.95 (Street, 2023) | River's Edge Cutlery dealer Exclusive. A second run was offered in August 2023. | Limited | Full Flat | Black Wire | LH/RH, TU | Variant
|
| C230CF90VP | Black peel ply Carbon Fiber | Compression Lock | PE | CPM-S90V | 2021 | $300.00 (2020) | Sprintrun | Limited | Full Flat | Silver deep pocket Wire | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
| C230GM4BK | Natural G-10 | Compression Lock | PE | Black DLC-coated CPM-M4 | Jun. 2021 | $200.00 (2021, MSRP), $140.00 (2021, street) | Blade HQ dealer exclusive | Limited | Full Flat | Black deep pocket Wire | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
| C230NLGP | Black G-10 | Non-locking | PE | CPM-S30V | 2021 - | $180.00 (2021) | Part of the SLIPIT family, and the first non-locking member of the Lil' Native series. | Regular production | Full Flat grind | Chrome Hourglass | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
| C230GWC | Black G-10 | Compression Lock | PE | CPM-S30V | 2022 - | $203.50 (2021) | The C230GWC also features a Wharncliffe blade. | Regular production | Full Flat grind | Silver deep pocket Wire | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
| C230GPPN | Pink G-10 | Compression Lock | PE | CPM S45VN | Oct. 2022 | $149.95 (2022, Street) | KnifeJoy dealer Exclusive, a portion of the proceeds will go to Living Beyond Breast Cancer | Limited | Full Flat grind | Silver deep pocket Wire | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
| C230GPDGRBK | Dark green G-10 | Compression Lock | PE | Black DLC coated Cru-Wear | Dec. 2022 | $210.00 (2022, MSRP), $157.50 (2022, Street) | The KnifeJoker dealer Exclusive | Limited | Full Flat grind | Black deep pocket Wire | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
| C230GPCW | Black G-10 | Compression Lock | PE | Cru-Wear | Dec. 2022 | $180.00 (2022, MSRP), $126.00 (2022, Street) | The G-10 handle features a smooth finish. Knifecenter dealer Exclusive | Limited | Full Flat grind | Silver deep pocket Wire | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
| C230GPNGR | Neon green G-10 | Compression Lock | PE | CPM-20CV | Apr. 2023 | $139.95 (2023, Street) | KnifeJoy dealer Exclusive | Limited | Full Flat grind | Silver deep pocket Wire | LH/RH, TU | Variant |
| C230GPCWBK | Smooth black G-10 | Compression Lock | PE | Black DLC-coated Cru-Wear | May 2023 | $200.00 (MSRP, 2023), $140.00 (street, 2023) | Knifecenter dealer exclusive, the G-10 handle features a smooth finish | Limited | Full Flat | Black Wire | LH/RH, TU | Variant
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| C230BK | Black FRN | Back Lock | PE | CTS-BD1N | 2023 - | $160.00 | Lightweight version of the Back Lock Lil' Native | Regular production | Full Flat | Silver Wire | LH/RH, TU | Main |
| C230BK | Black FRN | Back Lock | PE | Black DLC-coated CTS-BD1N | 2023 - | $180.00 | Lightweight version of the Back Lock Lil' Native | Regular production | Full Flat | Black Wire | LH/RH, TU | Main |
Most collectible variation
Questions regarding collecting the C230
Some interesting questions we are looking for an answer to:
Questions with an answer:
Technical information
Measurements (mm and grams) of the C230 Lil' Native:
| Variation | Length overall | Length closed | Length blade | Length edge | Hole Ø | Blade thickness | Weight |
| C230G | 150mm | 88mm | 61mm | 51mm | 11.2mm | 3.2mm | 71g |
| C230MBG | 150mm | 88mm | 61mm | 51mm | 11.2mm | 3.2mm | 68g |
Measurements (inches and ounces) of the C230 Lil' Native:
| Variation | Length overall | Length closed | Length blade | Length edge | Hole Ø | Blade thickness | Weight |
| C230G | 5.89" | 3.47" | 2.42" | 2.02" | 0.44" | 0.125" | 2.5oz |
| C230MBG | 5.89" | 3.47" | 2.42" | 2.02" | 0.44" | 0.125" | 2.4oz |
References
