Spyderco Native Chief C244GPCBL Folding Knife

Spyderco Native Chief Lockback Folding Knife 4.02" CPM-SPY27 Satin Plain Blade, Cobalt Blue G10 Handles - C244GPCBL

The Spyderco Native Chief Lockback is a high-quality folding knife that builds on the long tradition of the Native series. The original Spyderco Native was first introduced in 1997 and quickly established itself among affordable, versatile, and lightweight folding knives made in the USA. This model also pioneered the introduction of Spyderco’s patented ambidextrous barrel-bolt pocket clip.

As the Native knife grew in popularity, users began asking for a version with a longer blade and improved ergonomics for larger hands. Inspired by this interest, Spyderco created a prototype in 1999 called the Native Chief, which retained the pocket-friendly width of the original knife but extended the overall length by nearly two inches. Spyderco presented this prototype at various trade shows and customer events, gathering feedback while continuing internal development and refining the design.

Despite the positive response, producing knives with a longer blade was not easy to implement. A longer blade means greater leverage and therefore more stress on the locking mechanism. Development of the Native Chief therefore paused for a long time, as the company’s attention was focused on other projects.

A breakthrough in the Native Chief story came with the development of the fifth-generation Native knife, known as the Native 5. This model reflects more than twenty years of experience and customer feedback and introduces a highly refined lockback mechanism, the result of extensive research, testing, and the use of precision machinery. This locking mechanism was the key element that made production of the Native Chief possible.

The Native Chief is an extended version of the traditional Spyderco Native, increasing the knife’s length by approximately one-third while maintaining a slim, pocket-friendly profile. It features a precision-made lockback mechanism and four sets of threaded inserts for fully configurable mounting of the four-position pocket clip. The blade has a full-flat grind and is equipped with Spyderco’s fully accessible round hole, complemented by a symmetrical and fully ambidextrous design.

Developed in collaboration with Crucible Industries, CPM-SPY27 steel is a cobalt-enriched stainless steel that refines the proven chemistry of Japanese VG-10 using the CPM (Crucible Particle Metallurgy) process. This advanced manufacturing method ensures maximum performance by reducing alloy segregation and creating a homogeneous microstructure. CPM-SPY27 is known for its ability to achieve extreme sharpness (“sticky sharp”) while offering a balanced combination of edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance. This model proudly showcases this elite steel on its full-flat-ground blade and highlights it with a distinctive cobalt blue G10 handle.

Blade length 89 mm (3.52")

Closed length 129 mm (5.08")

Full Flat grind

Satin finish

Plain edge

Handle color Cobalt Blue

Lock type Lockback

Pocket clip Tip-Up/Down, Left/Right Carry (4 positions)

Country of origin USA