Cold steel code 4 vs endura

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buffalo01

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Oct 13, 2016
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Alright been wanting a new knife and I was really planning on getting an endura to go with my 2 delicas and a dragonfly. But I saw cold steel is now offering the code 4 on cts xhp and it is making a compelling option.
Let's get one thing it of the way, yes I know that the code 4 is stronger and no that's not a worry.
I just really like the looks of the code 4 and would like to try it the new steel. My main question is, how hard is the tri-ad lock to depress, I am a quadriplegic and don't have the strongest hands anymore but haven't had trouble with any other knives including my manix 2 with the ball bearing lock. And even more importantly, how do these things CUT. The tall hollow grind is very promising but I'm still wondering if it can cut as good as an ffg endura.
Any comments on experiences will be helpful!! Thanks guys
 
buffalo01 said:
Alright been wanting a new knife and I was really planning on getting an endura to go with my 2 delicas and a dragonfly. But I saw cold steel is now offering the code 4 on cts xhp and it is making a compelling option.
Let's get one thing it of the way, yes I know that the code 4 is stronger and no that's not a worry.
I just really like the looks of the code 4 and would like to try it the new steel. My main question is, how hard is the tri-ad lock to depress, I am a quadriplegic and don't have the strongest hands anymore but haven't had trouble with any other knives including my manix 2 with the ball bearing lock. And even more importantly, how do these things CUT. The tall hollow grind is very promising but I'm still wondering if it can cut as good as an ffg endura.
Any comments on experiences will be helpful!! Thanks guys
Click to expand...
With your quadriplegia, I don t think you would like the triad lock. Too difficult to disengage with a strength impairment in your hands. The Endura would be a great choice if you like the Delica.
 
buffalo01, you definitely don't need to worry about how the Code 4 cuts. It's an excellent cutter and a great knife! While I agree with whp that the Tri-Ad can be stubborn sometimes and might not be for you, the Code 4 models that I've handled haven't been more difficult to unlock than an Endura with a Boye detent.

Two recommendations:

1) If you decide to buy a Code 4 and can't try one in person beforehand, purchase it from a dealer with a decent return policy in case it proves too difficult to use. At least you won't be out anything except maybe return shipping.

2) Some people find the Code 4's handles too slick. You might also take a look at Cold Steel's new Golden Eye and Working Man models for other steel, handle material, opening method, and price options.

-Steve
 
I have a cold steel recon tanto. The triad lock is harder to disengage than my manix xl and endura's. The recon I have is in aus8 and shaving sharp. It is however thicker than my ffg endura. I have to say the endura is better at slicing through items like apples. As the recon would wedge it. A endura is a good companion for the delica. Especially the zdp-189 steel.
 
The Code 4 is a better hard use knife IMHO, except it has a problem. The aluminum handles are very slippery. If it had a grippier handle I would not hesitate to recommend it. Some people have used friction tape or skateboard tape in strategic places to help with the grip problem. Given this, it is one of the strongest built knives I own, has a great blade steel, is relatively light for its size, carries fairly deep, and I would trust it to be my only knife for everything. Just remember that the handles might be to slippery for your liking.

The Endura is a great light to medium duty knife that is light and comes with a decent steel, but nowhere as good as CTS-XHP. If you can get it in ZDP-189 or something else that would bring it up quite a few points. To me the handle ergonomics are a bit strange. It is very skinny in the places it needs to be bigger if you want to use it in a hammer grip, for example. The Endura is a proven performer that has a faithful following. It does almost any cutting task you might want and is light and easy to carry.

So basically the handles on both might not be to your liking so check them out in hand if you can first. Both knives are great in their own respect but the steel and the wider handle on the Code 4 means I would pick it over the Endura.
 
Code 4 slippery handle and not as good a cutter as Endura. Code 4 hollow grind not as deep as on old Recon 1 before they switched to flat grind this year.
 
Try the Endura/Delice in ZDP steel, that is my favorite variation. I don't have the CS Code 4 so I cannot comment on it.
 
The code 4 is heavier and I dont think its a great direct comparison. The broken skull however is a pretty good comparison. It also has the XHP steel and has an awesome blade shape for EDC. It also has a bigger blade and its lighter weight compared to the Endura. I love the endura I have 4 and the broken skull is stupid... and I wanted to hate it... but I love it. It is one of the best slicers I own and its super solid...super flat and light weight. if it had a wave I think it would be my all around favorite large EDC.

I picked mine up for $63 on amazon, the endura if you want goes down to $55 at times and is around the $65 mark. Endura is excellent but the broken skull for that $63ish price point has a better steel. and it actually is better its not just internet steel bs. Holds a better end, easy to sharpen and does both better than vg10 for me. That knife is so light you forget its huge and in your pocket.

If you have amazon prime order and return it if you hate it. I wanted to hate it so much. its just way to good. Its my new camping large folder and day hike knife.

Good luck with your choice.
 
I agree that the Broken Skull is a better comparison to the Endura than the Code 4. But I own a few Endura 4's, one Code 4 (spear point) and a Broken Skull. They all cut very well. The Broken Skull handles have a bit of a cheap look, but it has awesome cutting performance. So does the Endura 4. I prefer the E4 to the Code 4, despite the latter being a stronger folder. I also like the Broken Skull more than the Code 4. The Broken Skull was also much easier to unlock out of box than the Code 4.

If you choose a Triad locking knife, I strongly recommend using both hands to close it for safety reasons.

Jim
 
tri-ad can be difficult for some. i see posts about that from time to time. i spent many years carrying, hanging, pounding together, and fitting sheetmetal ductwork so i find it easy but ill admit i have an advantage from years of hard work. im assumong you have very limited strength in your hands so id avoid a tri-ad. i own many of both. agree with others in that if ya like your delica the endura is the way to go.....
 
I believe these knives are in two different classes. I love my recon and I believe the code 4 were aluminum versions. I also love my endura's. Different knives for different times. I like having choices of which knife to carry depending of what I'm going to be doing.
 
Alright you guys have me interested in the broken skull lol. Maybe I could get over the stupid name on the blade (for the price I would probably strip it and stone wash it) and I think I would like the g10 better than the aluminum. My only worries is that a 4 inch blade seems huge.
 
You can't go wrong with a Broken Skull. Gimmicky names apart, it's one of the few modern folders that can compete -or surpass- the Endura in edge length, thickness and toughness per ounce of weight.

It carries extremely nice and te G10 is not as aggressive as most Cold Steel's, handles allow for much better purchase than the Code 4's slick scales and the blade is better cutter. Not that the Code 4 is not a great slicer and overall EDC knife, but the Broken Skull is above in almost all regards and beats even the Endura for the $.
 
I have a Code 4. I love absolutely everything about the knife. The CTS XHP came razor hair popping sharp out the box. I mean the sharpest by far from the factory over all my other knives. 30-40 knives. And yes, the only thing that i didn't like was depressing the lock back. BUT! it is easily modified to ease that tension. I pulled the knife apart, took the metal piece that acts as the spring. And filed it down. Took a little chuck out the side of the metal and it is perfect! much much easier to depress and made the knife a top 5 favorite in my collection. And i own benchmades, spydercos both from taiwan and colorado, and a sebenza 21.
 
Of the two mentioned, I'd go Endura.

You mentioned the ball bearing lock on the Manix. Have you looked at the Mini Grips, Grips, or other Benchmade offerings with the Axis lock?
 
buffalo01 said:
Alright you guys have me interested in the broken skull lol. Maybe I could get over the stupid name on the blade (for the price I would probably strip it and stone wash it) and I think I would like the g10 better than the aluminum. My only worries is that a 4 inch blade seems huge.
Click to expand...

If you were already considering the Endura then the Broken Skull won't be any larger.

But, I would recommend the Endura (or Delica) anyway, due to the ease of operation not only with its lock but also just opening the blade. The Spydie-hole makes it a breeze to open, and their back-lock is quite easy to disengage compared the relative stiffness of the Tri-Ad (the Tri-Ad is the most difficult lock to disengage out of any I've owned including the BB lock of the Manix and the LAWKS that CRKT has).

I would also purchase the Spyderco because I like the company as well as the knife, they have good people working for them and are worth supporting without hesitation.
 
You can never have enough blade lenght. Unless your cutting grapes or live in an area that has a limit.
 
Well I went back to academy and checked out the endura a little closer. Really really like it!! It was an orange model and I already have an orange Dragon fly so I wasnt too sure about the color. But the zdp version is seriously calling my name.... The one I handled at academy had a considerably more sturdy feel. Both it and the delica I looked at had a stronger backspring and snap than my ffg delica that was one of the first flatground models. Is it just because they were new or did spyderco start building them a little stronger?
 
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