2013 Spyderco Forum Knife Native5 C41GPGR5

The Spyderco 2013 Forum Knife is a reflection of both the deep tradition and commitment to innovation that characterize Spyderco.
It is based on the Native5, the latest evolution of one of our most popular US-made designs.
The full-flat-ground blade is machined from premium CPM S110V steel—an ultra-high-performance, state-of-the-art alloy that includes cobalt, niobium, molybdenum, vanadium, and almost three percent carbon.
Its handle is also highly evolved, featuring full skeletonized stainless steel liners, a stainless back spacer, and a meticulously crafted backlock mechanism that took literally years of R&D to perfect.
The handle is encased in green G-10 scales with a distinctive diamond-cut texture pattern and the liners, scales, and lockbar are all expertly hand sanded for an exceptional fit and finish.
The 2013 Forum Knife will be the first production knife to use this new handle material with its very unique texture.
A polished four-position hourglass clip completes the package, supporting tip-up and tip-down carry on both sides of the body and making the knife’s operation completely ambidextrous.
A shining example of the US factory’s craftsmanship, this unique limited-edition knife is laser engraved on the reverse side of the blade with “Spyderco Forum Knife 2013.”

Specs:

Closed Length: 4.0 (Inches) / 102 (mm)
Overall Length: 6.95 (Inches) / 177 (mm)
Blade Length: 2.95 (Inches) / 75 (mm)
Edge Length: 2.42 (Inches) / 61 (mm)
Blade Thickness: 0.125 (Inches) / 3.2 (mm)
Steel: CPM-S110V stainless
Hardness: +/- 63 HRC
Weight: 3.6 (Ounces) / 102 (Grams)
Grind: Full-flat
Edge Configuration: Plain
Lock Type: Back Lock
Handle: Green Diamond-Cut Textured G-10
R/L/Ambi: Ambi
Clip: 4-position
Origin: Golden, Colorado U.S.A. Earth

Datasheet: http://www.nsm-ny.com/files/CPM%20S110V.pdf

Thanks, i'm quite happy with it myself

In contrast to many standard Spyderco backlock models which can indeed have quite a bit of up-and-down blade play, i can feel something about the width of an angel hair, and only when trying hard.
There is no side-to-side play what so ever.

The guy or girl who put this knife together definitely did a very good job.

I'm planning to EDC the knife, but first it needs to be sharpened, as the factory edge sadly wasn't apexed over about an inch, and the complete edge is about as sharp as a butterknife.
Luckily i have a Wicked Edge as well as a set of Paper Wheels to make it right.

The knife is put together very well, and the amount of hand finishing is noticeable.

Yesterday evening i sharpened the knife (with a standard Paper Wheel with 180 grit SiC grit plus another one with 15 micron diamond compound), and all worked out rather well, besides one ever so tiny microchip at the base which appeared after test cutting into the edge of hard desk top layer.
First i reprofiled the factory edge from +/- 30 degrees inclusive to 25 degrees inclusive, which seems to be too low for this steel (when leaned on during cutting into this hard & tough material)
I resharpened it, this time with an edge angle that measures +/- 26-27 degrees inclusive, and now the edge survives the same test without problems.
In contrast to what the last picture shows, in real life the edge looks a bit hazy, but it's quite sharp.
It can treetop the hair on the back of my hand, slice single layer toilet paper, and cut the skin of a tomato without slipping.

I'm thinking about carrying this knife for some time, as from what i've read on various forums S110V should be the most wear resistant stainless steel in the world currently used in production knives.
Also, if i'm not mistaken, Spyderco runs these at 63 HRC, when another manufacturer seems to have run it earlier at only 59 HRC.