Benchmade large ascent Vs. Spyderco Endura

Runs With Scissors

Runs With Scissors

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Dec 3, 2000
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Which one do you think is a better workhorse?

Benchmade is a little thinner, adjustable for tip up or down carry, ATS-34 steel, and has great retention.

Spyderco fills the hald a little more, VG-10 steel, right or left hand tip up carry....

So which would you choose for a work knife?
 
Spyderco hands down. It might have been a little closer with the old ATS 55 but the VG-10 removes any doubt.

phantom4
 
Endura.
I think you'll appreciate it and the Spydie bug will bite again ;)
It's a great knife. I have it, it works perfect. The VG10 holds up great. I was eating dinner sunday with my friend who came back and all their cultery on the table are visibly dull and we're eating chicken legs. The VG10 goes through the muscles and joints no problem. One of them was actually impressed at how sharp it really is :D
 
The large Ascent is an abomination. The AFCK handle is already big, but the large Ascent's handle is huge. The ergonomics did not transfer well from the AFCK, which IMO has awesome ergonomics, to the large Ascent. In my opinion, one of the reasons to go with a lightweight knife is to make it more carryable -- but the huge large Ascent handles make it less carryable than the regular AFCK!

The Endura does exactly what I want my lightweight knife to do. The handles are thin and no longer than they need to be (versus large Ascent monstrous handles for same sized blade). Sharp point, blade hole (okay, large Ascent has both of those). And endura now has a VG-10 blade. Both have fine locks now, though the earlier Ascents had some lock problems.

Frankly, I don't believe the endura has any serious competition in its niche.

Joe
 
Trust us, once you get the Endura and you'll look back and wonder why did you even consider the Ascent ;)
I'm sure I did the same :p
 
Yes, I was going to say the same as Joe, Ascent may look nice and economical online, however it is aweful in-hand. Very poorly designed.
On the other hand Spyderco Endura has been refined and improved with each generation- every aspect of its design is optimised for efficiency and performance (even among Spydercos, Endura/Delica design is proven design).
Martiin
 
Hey Guys...

I have both.. I think they are both good knives on their own..
However I do prefer the spydie....

ttyle

Eric...
 
I prefer the slimmer profile of the Endura and the more textured Zytel handle for better grip. I also find the Enduras to have a smoother action than the Ascent.

I like both knives but the Endura just has a better feel to it.
 
I have had both and much prefer the Endura over the Ascent.The smoother action and better handle design has already been mentioned. I carry a fully serrated model and find Spyderco's serration pattern superior to most others.
I still carry my Endura several days a week, the Ascent was given to a friend.
 
From '93 to around '99 or 2000 my EDC was an old Endura, which is now my "pool knife" and is just as tight as when first new.

I briefly replaced it (for about a year) with the large Ascent. I figured I was "moving up" to a Benchmade. :)

At first it was weird, adapting my grip to a straight saber grip, with my index finger riding up into the depression (finger choil) behind the pivot. Eventually I got used to it.

It did well in pools, too, BTW. (Just remember to rinse knives after swimming--it helps a lot.)

Two things I would say it has over the Endura for S-D use: One, coupled with the thumb grooves on the spine, the finger choil provides a slightly better barrier against "blade-finger ride up" than the Endura with saber grip. Two, the lockbar recess on the back of the handle is smaller, and less likely to get pushed inadvertantly under stress. This is something I wish Spyderco would do for the Native, and to a lesser extent, the Endura. (The old Endura is not as bad as the Native is on this, but depending on one's hand shape, it may happen a bit.) Actually, this is probably more important with hammer grip, as the fleshy part of the palm may press on the lockbar more. The Ascent seems impervious to this, while the Endura, IMO, needs the Boye Dent.

(At this time I don't own any metal clip Enduras, but some are coming.)

These two points are from my own experience, of course, and not all will agree due to different size/shape hands, different grips, usage,etc.

I would surmise the Ascent was designed with Filipino "saber type" grips in mind. Not surprising, considering the Bali-Song heritage.

I also have the middle size Ascent and the newer (oval hole) small Ascent with Black Ti. I like them, but not as much as my Spydies. Yes, I am a confirmed "Spydie knut!" I have three of the old style Enduras, all fully serrated. (Don't know what's up with that--I just can't seem to find a PE.)

After saying all that, my old Endura still feels better in the hand and would still probably be my choice, even for S-D.

The only Benchmade which I consider a real "threat" to my Endura would be my Griptilian. I love the holes, round or oval, when they are properly done. It gets carried quite often.

Karl
 
Just for an update...

Couldn't hold my horses, wound up buying an ascent and ordering an Endura.

I actually really like the Ascent. The handle is freakin' huge, but I've got pretty large hands, so it fits real well. Also agree with Karl one hundred percent thus far, it is very nice in saber type grips.. The monstrous pivot area is a bit ugly, but I do like how it can protect the hand. Also like the blade adjustment on it.

Incidentally, the zip tie trick works great on this knife also. overall, I like it, and think it's well worth the money.

Not that I'd rather have it than the Endura that's on order, but I am fond of it. Endura will probably still be my EDC knife.

Anyhoo, I do thank y'all for the input!
 
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