Any reviews on Spyderco Endura Wave?

ivan51

ivan51

Joined
Dec 9, 2003
Messages
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Ive been thinking about picking one of these knives up but im also stuck on getting a Manix. Any ideas on what is the better pick? Will be used for EDC/camping/every-thing folder.
 
It's my understanding that a manix is KIND of similar to a chinook. I've only handled a chinook. I prefer the endura MUCH more than the chinook as far as edc. It fits the pocket better, it's cheaper, IT'S FREAKING WAVED, and the wave works great.

IMO when you get to the extreme duty knives like chinooks and manix's you might as well move on to a fixed blade.

I EDC a military, so it's not that I have anything against big folding knives, I just have a thing against huge, heavy, thick, knives.
 
Any reviews of the Endura 4 applies, and now it's waved. The wave makes it that much better. The cheapest Emerson with a wave is around $120.
 
I have a Manix on the way, and a I have a waved endura 4- The Endura 4 is a vast improvement over the 3. I can't yet comment on the Manix, but I am sure I will like it. I don't have small pockets or tight jeans, so I will have no trouble carrying the manix.
 
ivan51 said:
how smooth is the action in the blade of the waved endura when opened?
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What would you compare it to? It is a lockback, so it isn't as slick as a linerlock or framelock. But when you "wave" it out of your pocket, you won't be able to tell the difference anyway. I would compare the smoothness of the opening (by thumbhole) to the old endura. Pretty much the same as that, IMO.
 
As smooth as any lockback is going to get. Not as smooth as let's say good liner locks or the AXIS, but that is just the nature of the lock. The smoothness is never important to me though. When I wave the knife open, you will not notice a thing.
What is important to me is the Spyderco quality and wave function.
 
yea i think im gana break down and get the Wave sounds like a nice knife.
 
Just recently purchased the Endura 4 Wave and it is an awesome blade. I have a recent thread in this forum about it with some pics. Have'nt really cut much with it yet, but it is carried mostly as an SD backup because of its speed of deployment. The Manix would probably be sturdier for camp usage and general hard use, but this Endura is no slouch, very solid. Id say if you wanted a folder more geared towards an SD/EDC role, go with the Endura. If you want a very heavy duty folder that is a little heavier to EDC but would allow you to cut a truck in half, go with the Manix.
 
i too am looking at these same 2 knives! i saw a video on youtube saying the lock wasent very good on the endura...any truth to this?
 
dshairs said:
i too am looking at these same 2 knives! i saw a video on youtube saying the lock wasent very good on the endura...any truth to this?
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I've bought the Endura Wave on several different occassions and the lock works just fine. The Manix has an overall stronger lock, but over the years I haven't seen any complaints on the strength or reliability of the Endura's lock. Every once in a while, some pocket lint can make its way into the lock and can prevent the knife from locking open. By "every once in a while", I mean that probably occurred to me twice over 3-4 years of owning lockback knives. Just blow the lint out and it's back to normal.

The Manix has a better feel in the hand compared to the Endura (at least for me it does). The Endura costs less and can open beer bottles with the wave. I like them about equally for different reasons.
 
dshairs said:
i too am looking at these same 2 knives! i saw a video on youtube saying the lock wasent very good on the endura...any truth to this?
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Wow that was an old thread you resurrected, 5 years and 4 months old almost to the day. If the lock on the Endura was truly faulty, it would not be one of the most popular knives in the Spyderco lineup. Before you take youtube videos as gospel style truth, consider the source. The Endura lock is rated " heavy duty " (MBC) standards, google it for th details. According to some teste Sal performed in 2006, the regular Endura is 20% stronger than the Endura wave. As long as you remember which side of the knife to cut with, you should be alright.
 
The endura wave has all the ergos of the reg endura and same thickness blade stock (non ffg), but the grind seriously sucks. if the knife isnt air bleeding sharp then it just doesnt meet my slicing standards. for a beater edc knife mine has been a near constant companion for 2 years. the wave is also very fun. i love the look on ppls face when they ask for a knife and one suddenly appears in my hand. and as far as the manix is concerned i think a ss e4 is a tougher lighter and cheaper option. slimmer and more comfortable to me as well
 
At a recent Gun/Knife show I got to look at both the Endura and Delica wave knives, and I honestly prefer the thumb holes. The wave opener requires real training to get used to opening the knife with it correctly, the first time. If it is the only knife you will carry, then it would be fine, but if you carry a variety of knives, with them being a mixture of lockback, slip-joint, liner lock, and fixed blades, the wave opener will be used too infrequently to truly take advantage of it. I have heard it makes a great bottle opener, though.
 
this knife would probably become my primary carry/edc/self defence knife...with these parameters, should i go endura wave or plain old endura? why not have the wave?
 
Eric at On/Scene tactical also makes a Kydex sheath called the "speed dialer" for the Endura Wave -- it holds the knife and gives you another way to pop the knife open on the draw. I have the Endura Wave and love mine.
 
consider a real "wave"
EMERSON A.K.A end all be all workhorse, EDC, Defense blade
DSC_0051.jpg


:D
 
Spyderco uses a "real" wave, too. They're the only people I've seen actually giving credit to Emerson, and his patent number is right there on the blade. I own both, and trust me.. it's a real waved knife.
 
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