Endura 3 should NOT have been discontinued!

B

bk400

Joined
Nov 1, 2005
Messages
172
Okay, as a new member of the forum, I'm going out on a limb here, but I'm going to say that there is a place for both the FRN Endura 3 and the FRN Endura 4 -- the E4 is less a redesigned E3, and more a different knife altogether.

First, the weight differential is substantial. The steel liners are great on the E4, but it takes the weight up to a point where it is no longer a lightweight knife in a class by itself. Whereas, the E3 doesn't have the same heft, I can think of few, if any, roughly 4-inch, 3mm thick, folders that are as light (and has high quality) as the E3. Check the Spyderco and BM lineups, and you'll see what I mean. I carry my E3 in a suit jacket or trouser pocket with no change in the lay of my clothes; this is not the case with the E4.

Second, the handle design is completely different. The E3 is designed so that the middle and ring fingers rest on the middle ramp in the handle, whereas the E4 is designed so that only the middle finger rests on the middle ramp (the ring finger rests within the last ramp). IMO, this changes the way the knife rests in the hand.

Third, the blade shape is not the same. The E3 is significantly pointier than the E4, and the E3 blade is slightly longer (not sure if this is part of the design, or just my knives in particular).

So my question is, why not keep the FRN E3 in the lineup?
 
Hi BK400,

very astute design observations.

You do realize that it is not possible to please all?

However, I might point out that we didn't disco the E3, we just changed the steel and called it a "Pacific Salt. While the blade tip is not a sharp (an easy mod to change if you like), it is essentially the same model with a different steel and a titanium clip.

sal
 
Wow, thanks Sal, for the response. LOL on not being able to please all. I actually carry and use both the E3 and the E4 -- I just think that one does not necessarily have to replace the other, and each has its own place in my personal lineup (E3 in a suit, E4 in jeans). Point taken on the Pacific Salt -- I'll have to get one of those and try my hand at a modification.
 
Sal Glesser said:
However, I might point out that we didn't disco the E3, we just changed the steel and called it a "Pacific Salt.
Click to expand...

Sal's got a point. The Salt and Pacific Salt are near clones of the Delica and Endura(respectively), with the only major change being H-1 steel, and a rounded tip. The rest of it is very similar to the D3/E3, same FRN texture, same weight, same clip style, etc.

I didn't even realize that until Sal mentioned it...:o
 
I prefer the light weight, low profile and simplicity of the older "3 series".

I find the 4 has too many holes and screws scattered all over it.

The 3 was a very strong knife. Strong enough for anything that I'll use it for - ie. cutting things.

When guys ask me for advice on a knife for their firejacket I used to say Delica or Endura.
Now I say Salt I or Pacific Salt. Owning a Salt gives them flexibility - they can carry it in their firejacket or clip it to their drysuit and take it out on the Inshore Rescue Boat.

I'm glad that the 3 Series lives on...in H1.
 
"You do realize that it is not possible to please all?"

Maybe not but you are doing a pretty good job anyway.:thumbup:

One great thing about Spyderco is that they do switch up the line of knives once in a while. It gives us many new models to choose from and buy. The downside is that some of our favorite models are forced into early retirerment. With a knife like the E-3, there are plenty of them still for sale in used and new condition. If you really loved it so much, you can buy yourself a lifetime supply if you hurry. Buy half a dozen of them and you won't have to worry about it.:D

I have seen some of the very best Spydercos go by the wayside and it is a shame. I think many of them were just ahead of their time and if they were allowed a little longer to gain some popularity, they might have been more popular. The Massad Ayoob, the Centofante II, the G-10 flat ground Police, the Bob Lum Chinese, the Bob Terzuolas. May some of them will find a second life in a sprint run.
 
Definatly love the Pacific Salt, and I hope that they maintain the E3 handle design and lightness. The Pacific Salt is the only knife I own that I will keep clipped in a back pocket because it is so thin and light I can comfortably sit down and not be uncomfortable, couldn't imagine sitting with a Manix or other thick knife in my back pocket. Plus, the extremly simple, liner-less construction makes the Pacific sooo easy to clean out. This is a very good thing since I use my Pacific for the dirty chores since I don't have to worry about corrosion.
 
rusty edge said:
The Pacific Salt is the only knife I own that I will keep clipped in a back pocket because it is so thin and light I can comfortably sit down and not be uncomfortable, couldn't imagine sitting with a Manix or other thick knife in my back pocket. Plus, the extremly simple, liner-less construction makes the Pacific sooo easy to clean out. This is a very good thing since I use my Pacific for the dirty chores since I don't have to worry about corrosion.
Click to expand...

These are most of the reasons I loved the Delica 3 so much. I habitually carried it in my back pocket and never worried about it. I've since lost it (actually, it was 'lifted' from my apartment at one point), and replaced it with a SS Delica, which is a bit too heavy for back pocket carry IMO. Perhaps I'll get another one before they're all gone... but my money is going in many other directions these days (traditional slipjoints, new innovations, etc.).
I'm glad that the Salt series has come about, too. I noticed, once the E & D were redisigned (I don't know if I'll pick one of those up... I have other knives that fill that niche), that the Salt series was a remnant of the "classic" Spyderco build. If I don't get another D3, I'll definitely pick up a Salt instead.

Whatever the case, I hope Spyderco keeps some in the line-up that are built in the "classic" style -- FRN with no liners, simple blade design, volcano-textured grip, back-lock. Those knives, particularly the Delica 3, are the reason for my love of Spyderco's products.

Thanks, Sal!

Peace.
Alex.
 
The Endura 3 is an absolute classic and I'm sad to see it go! I would love to see a "classic style" section in the catalog. This is one design that needs to stick around because it is so good. The whole package is there! Sal is a great designer and this is the design that proves it time and again. Thanks to Sal for giving us this great knife. Now on to more great products from Spyderco!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
are they really called Endura three? I see on the spyderco site they are called Endura 3 but....

Isnt the Endura 4 is called the 4 because the clip can be mounted in 4 positions? Isnt the Endura 3 is just the second generation of Endura and should be called Endura 2, which is when they swithced from the integrated clip to the removable clip that can be mounted two ways? or was there some other change between?

is this correct?
 
There are plenty of all the different generations of endura, delica to be found on ebay!

cheers,
--dave
 
I liked the Endura 3's pointy point, 3 15/16 blade length, VG-10, ergos, and light weight. The 4 is a great but very different knife. The Salt's H-1 doesn't take the edge of the VG-10. I was used to the 3 as one of my EDCs. So I have to admit I bought four of the 3s; at about 40 bucks each I'm very happy with that investment. I wanted to be sure I had extras since soon all the 3s will be gone.
 
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