Idaho – -(AmmoLand.com)- 
Ok, today we’ll talk about the second folder that I’ve tested in the Native line of Sypderco. Even though it is listed as a compact gentlemen-sized knife, don’t let it fool you. Yes, the Spyderco Lil’ Native C230G does only have a 2 1/8-inch blade but due to the design of the knife it allows you to choke down on the blade and the handle then fills your hand. So, you’re not ending up holding it with only three fingers.
Spyderco SC230GP-BRK Lil’ Native Plain G10 Knife
When choked down, your third finger firmly fits in the finger groove on the handle and your pointer finger is in the finger groove on the belly side of the blade. The handle is textured G10 material which I have grown to like. Due to the G10 textured handle it feels like I’ve got a firm grip on the knife. I think the pocket clip bugling out also slightly fills my palm and further increases the feeling of having a firm grip.
The liner lock on the top of the handle is grooved which also slightly helps with your grip but since it is slightly recessed it isn’t as effective as if it were slightly raised. And I wish the finger groove on the bottom of the blade was grooved like the blade on the Native 5 Lightweight Dark Blue. It is still comfortable to hold and it feels like you have a firm grip on the knife, it’d just be a little more secure if these two tweaks were made in the design.
It does have one unique design that you don’t see very much. The Spyderco Lil’ Native C230G has a liner lock but it disengaged on the back of the handle and not on the bottom like most common liner locks. I like it and it appears to firmly hold the blade in the open position.
The Spyderco Lil’ Native C230G comes with an ambidextrous wire pocket clip. So, you can switch it to whichever side you prefer or remove it altogether. And of course, it also features the Sypderco Trademark Round Hole that allows one-handed opening with either hand.
Below is an edited description from the Syderco website.
“The iconic Native® has been a mainstay of Spyderco’s American-made product line for decades. Now all the evolved performance features of this incredibly popular design have been distilled into a compact gentlemen’s folder with a 2.5-inch blade. It’s 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”.
If you favor a more compact folder then you might want to check out the Spyderco Lil’ Native C230G knife. The MSRP is $174.95. And as is usual, we will close with the specs:
SPECS:
- Overall Length: 5.92″ (150mm)
- Blade Length: 2.45″ (62mm)
- Steel: CPM S30V
- Closed Length: 3.47″ (88mm)
- Edge Length: 2.05″ (52mm)
- Weight: 2.5oz (71g)
- Blade Thickness: 0.125″ (3.7mm)
- Handle: G-10
- Clip Position: Ambi
- Tip Carry Position: Tip-Up
- Lock Type: Compression
- Grind: Full-Flat
- Sheath: N/A
- Origin: United States
About Tom Claycomb
Tom Claycomb has been an avid hunter/fisherman throughout his life as well as an outdoors writer with outdoor columns in the magazine Hunt Alaska, Bass Pro Shops, Bowhunter.net and freelances for numerous magazines and newspapers. “To properly skin your animal you will need a sharp knife. I have an e-article on Amazon Kindle titled Knife Sharpening for $.99 if you’re having trouble.”