Recommendation? Endela V. Stretch 2

Which do you prefer?

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BohnsBlades

Joined
Jan 13, 2021
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Sorry if these kind of threads are looked down upon. I recently sold my Delica because I want to upgrade to something with more length. I’m really torn between the Stretch 2 and Endela. Both are the perfect length with equal blade stock thickness. What do y’all prefer?
 
Are you interested in any particular Stretch 2/Endela variants?

For e.g. I would take any Endela over a drop-point Stretch 2 because I don't care for that blade profile, but I'm currently trying to decide between a straight spine Stretch 2 in K390 and an Endela in K390, and I think the SSS K390 might win that one.
 
For me, I like the blade shape of the Endela better. I like a blade that has a belly to it and the Endela has a longer belly than the Stretch 2. The handle on the Stretch is a little wider if that makes a difference to you. I haven’t used the Stretch enough to see if the handle makes that much of a difference. The tip on the Endela is more blunt.
Other than that, I just couldn’t decide which is better, so I did the only logical thing and got one of each. :cool:
Pics are always good to have for comparison.

11421DB0-8927-4826-B2BB-61E65164EAA8.jpeg
 
Interesting question.

To an untrained eye, they both look the same. Knife afi's are particularly astute when it comes to small design features. We design a variety of models in the same size range that provide different preferences, realizing that our general audience pays attention. I'm here so I can learn what features make a difference to you, I'm also a knife afi.

The two models, are similar, but different in design features, eg; finger choil vs none, stronger tip vs "point" tip, etc.

Unfortunately it's hard to learn what "feel and function" is for each model from others. Fortunately folks 'round here a re pretty good at expressing their thoughts, experiences and preferences and they have a willingness to share which is special..

sal
 
I got the Stretch 2, thinking it would be my end-all pocket knife. For some reason I thought it had a longer blade than it actually does and was a little disappointed when I received it. But i used it more and found the grip is just long and wide enough, and there is enough belly for deep slices while having enough tip for good punctures and detailed cuts.

Pete, from the Cedric and Ada YouTube channel, called it boring because it provides an incremental improvement in performance. I thought he was right until it suddenly wound up in my pocket more than any other modern folder in my stable. To me it's just right in all the important areas. I'm still a little peeved about sacrificing edge length in favor the choil, but the knife just works well for me in spite of it. It's almost more useful than my Police 4, but it certainly isn't boring.

No comment re the Endela, as I have none, but the Stretch2 in K390 is a dependable workhorse.
 
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Ajack60 said:
For me, I like the blade shape of the Endela better. I like a blade that has a belly to it and the Endela has a longer belly than the Stretch 2. The handle on the Stretch is a little wider if that makes a difference to you. I haven’t used the Stretch enough to see if the handle makes that much of a difference. The tip on the Endela is more blunt.
Other than that, I just couldn’t decide which is better, so I did the only logical thing and got one of each. :cool:
Pics are always good to have for comparison.

View attachment 1844121
Click to expand...
Thanks for the side by side, I think I like the minimal palm swell on the Endela more. Seems a little more neutral.
 
Endela +1

I have both, when the SSS was announced. I was enamored with the blade shape and got one. However, gripping the choil does not feel natural to my hands.
The Endela instantly became my favorite modern EDC folder. Ergonomics + Blade shape & length make it great everyday user.

I keep the SSS in my hiking pack as the really pointy tip is just amazing for removing splinters and other fine stuff:)
 
I prefer the stretch as I like the finger choil. I also carry the native 5 as a primary EDC for my work vest, so I have a clear favortism towards the 50/50 choil, at least on the smaller folders. I don't care for the choil as much on the native chief, which was a big surprise considering how much I like the native.

I also never really got along with the delica, endela, endura handles as a matter of preference. Between the handle design and the ricasso, there always seemed to be a lot of space between my forfinger and the start of the cutting edge. All 3 carry great in pocket though.
 
Loved my Endela. I want another one. But if and when I can spend another $120 on a Spydie (maybe never now with the baby due in a couple months 🤣), it will be on the Stretch XL. The design really speaks to me. Looks like a backlock PM2 to me, only even better.
 
I prefer the Stretch ergos, it reminds me of a smaller Military/Sage combo. It'll be my next Spyderco if I can find a Ti-handled option.
I don't like the handle profile at the choil of the Endela, which, although the same as the Delica which I really like, the Delica is a smaller knife and I don't have to choke up on it for smaller tasks.
 
BohnsBlades said:
I recently sold my Delica because I want to upgrade to something with more length. I’m really torn between the Stretch 2 and Endela. Both are the perfect length with equal blade stock thickness. What do y’all prefer?
Click to expand...
I preferred 3.5-4" knives for many years. I think I still do, honestly; but I've come to appreciate a couple of smaller modern folders of the Delica's size. I only mention that because, even having read the specs, the Endela was bigger than I expected.
Obviously, it isn't too big - since I comfortably carry larger knives - but somehow I found the size off-putting.
I remember going back and forth between the Endela and the Stretch 2 before I purchased. I liked the look of the Stretch 2 handle better; but I went with the Endela because I anticipated better success in finding aftermarket scales. If I had it to do over, I would probably get the Stretch 2 instead..or maybe just select different scales for the Endela. See - I still can't decide
 
I love my Endelas, and haven't really got along with my stretch 2. It's just sat in the case. Still havent gotten an endela in K390, but do have an endura and police 4 and K390 is my favorite now. Well, I finally got a stretch in K390 and my god... The blade makes all the difference. I know people love the standard blade shape but... The straight spine is just awesome. Love the edge profile.

Still love my Endelas. Will still get a K390 endela at some point (have to have them all!) but this new stretch will see lots of pocket time!

I want a stretch xl something fierce, and I may still grab a vg10 version, but I'm going to (hopefully) wait for K390. We'll see how that goes...
 
I'd have to give the edge to the Stretch for (slightly) more comfortable ergos and the ability to choke up on the edge easier due to the index finger choil. Tough recommendation to make though, one over the other. I'd say just pick the one you think you'll like best.. they are both really solid knives, there isn't really a "wrong" choice here..
 
I have a Stretch 2 in VG-10. I got it a couple months ago and love it.

We were on a road trip recently and I decided to pack it as my “bigger” blade for the trip instead of my Manix 2 or just going minimal with smaller blades. To that point, I had never carried it or cut anything significant with it. On day one, we hit a very large jackrabbit at 70mph in my daughter’s 2013 Beetle. Destroyed the right side of the front bumper, pieces hanging off and tangling up with the tire.

Thought for about a second about what to do (middle of nowhere rural Arizona, rural highway between small towns) and zipped off all the interfering bits with the Stretch. Cut through everything with almost no resistance and minimal effect to the edge. The handle is both very ergonomic and big enough for me to use confidently for such a chore, the blade is long and slicey, and sharp and tough enough for just going right through all of that tough bumper plastic and other crap. Most of the other blades I had with me were small slipjoints. Much as l like and appreciate them, I would not have been excited to tackle this task with any of them.

Got a roll of duct tape at the next town and taped up all the remaining dangling bits for the rest of the trip.

At the hotel that night, I washed off the blade and touched up the edge on a ceramic rod. Back to shaving sharp.

Great knife, and great steel.
 
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