When I bought my first Spyderco Native...I was very impressed. FRN handle scales...nice spear-point S30V blade...light weight. The price was surprisingly low. Though the blade grind was a little odd, I've always like it (kind of badass looking). I recently decided to pick up a Native with Carbon Fiber handle scales. Very impressive knife. The workmanship is simply SUPERB. Oddly, this "upscale" version has VG10 blade steel. Don't get me wrong; I've had nothing but positive experience with VG10...but it does seem a bit odd that the more basic version has the better blade steel. In any event, the carbon fiber version is visually striking and makes a nice addition to my collection. The handle scales are not the peel-ply carbon fiber; they are silky smooth...which is interesting, if a bit limiting in application.