Edura 4 Newbie questions??

S

sir woodley

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Feb 13, 2006
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Hi all. New to Spyderco but not new to knives. Really looking hard at an Edura 4, White FRN, Plain, VG10 as my first Spydie. Some of my questions may be stupid. ;) Anyway, I need a "good user"! It will be part of my EDC and see lots of use. (Cutting nylon straps, boxes, trimming brush and 1" to 2" limbs and trees, etc, etc...) I am a Land Surveyor in S.W.Louisiana. It will get wet and sweatie. (I do clean my knives when I get home.) Does the VG10 take/ get a Patina? (I don't mind a good Patina.) Does the VG10 tend to chip? Will it take and hold a great edge? Is this a good solid model great for EDC? Is it..................all that and a bag of chips? :p Anyway, Any thoughts or opinions are very welcome! Thank you all in advance, Matt
 
The Endura is a very good knife. I have the Delica, which is the Endura's younger brother (same model, only a size smaller).

VG-10 is said to have the wear resistance (edge holding capability) of 154CM (which is very good) along with GOOD corrosion resistance. It's not rust-free like H1, but it's supposed to have above average corrosion resistance.

If you're looking for longer edge-holding, the Endura is also available in ZDP-189, but it will cost you some corrosion resistance (which may or may not be a problem if you clean it often).

Here's a thread of So-Lo's "experiment" in which he beat up a ZDP-189 Endura. Looks to still be a very usable knife; just goes to show how tough they are:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=571839
 
i have an endura 4 that i took to work for a few months when i was doing construction on a pretty hardcore job site. it saw tons of use, and i would have to say its pretty durable knife.
 
Enduras a great knife, but if your going to be cutting 1 to 2 inch limbs a Military model may be better just due to the fact of the larger handle. A serrated one with s30v runs about 90 bucks.

The Enduras handle is quite thin which is great for the pocket, but maybe a little narrow for chopping. I have big hands. You may not so it may be ok for you.:)
 
No chopping in mind here. I plan to put a bit of a "convexed edge" on it. I used to chop with my Cold Steel Extra Large Voyager (carried it for about 10 years in the field). I've been carrying Barkies lately. Mostly a Mini-NorthStar for EDC. I've noticed with such an edge, bend said limb and slice! Much less effort than chopping. Can the VG10 take and hold a Convexed Edge?? Sounds like it can. :) Matt
 
I've been using Enduras since they first came out. It's my favorite EDC knife by Spyderco. VG-10 is an excellent steel, better than 154CM/ATS-34. Holds a great edge, easy to resharpen, doesn't develop a patina that I've noticed. The FRN handle is very tough and very well designed. It's a great compromise between ease of carry in the pocket and providing a substantial grip (I have big hands).

If you don't mind the extra expense, the ZDP-189 version is probably the best edge holding knife I've ever seen, and despite what others have said, I haven't seen any rust on mine yet.

Of all the knives on the market that I could have chosen (at any price) the Endura fits the bill for me better than anything.
 
VG-10 is very rust resistant. VG-10 is one of my favorite steels: it takes a good keen edge, sharpens cleanly, and comes in many affordable knives (especially Spydercos). You will find the Endura 4 adequate for the tasks you outline. You may wish to consider the Spyderedge/Serrated Edge version of it, although you may need a new sharpening method (crock sticks instead of benchstones) to sharpen it.

VG-10 will chip but it is indeed quite tough.
In my experience and from what I have heard I know of only a few steels that will not chip or especially resist chipping: CPM 3V, INFI and H1. You can get a Spyderco Pacific Salt, which is similar to the Endura but a little lighter weight and in H1. This is also rust proof. I don't know any production folders that use 3V or INFI.
 
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