Endura 4, Green Handle reviews

A

Amaranth

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Jul 19, 2009
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I found an Endura 4 with ZDP-189 for $78 bucks. I know this steel has been discussed b4 here, but has anyone had experience with it? One possible disadvantage I can envision is corrosion resistance. However, I live in the high desert, where humidity is extremely low. And, I take care of my knives, that's one of the joys of owning them, in my opinion.

Not having owned a super-premium steel blade, I'm looking forward to owning this knife. Can anyone provide feedback on the Spydie E4? Thanks in advance!
 
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I haven't had a problem with corrosion at all. I keep it IWB, sometimes sweaty, and it's been fine.

It's my hard-work knife, and I love it.
 
I gave my dad one for x-mas because he has destroyed every other knife he has put his hand on. One of the big deciding factors was the steel, in a average day he could turn 154cm into a useless butter knife full of chips and dents that took long sessions with diamond stones to repair. I think the only down side to the ZDP endura is its blade grind, its a thick one but a little time with the diamond stone fixed that.

The edge has held its own to my dad's abuseful uses though micro-chipping has become the most common type of damage. I think this is due to the steels high Rc and tough use it goes through every day. I started using a microbevel and that has seemed to resolve the micro chipping for now but it will be a few weeks before I know for sure.

Overall it has proved itself to be a extremely rugged knife with top notch edge retention. Its not the easiest to sharpen and will take a few times to get use to how hard the steel is, it makes you want to use excessive pressure on the stones. It also seem to respond the best to diamond or waterstones and for finishing, diamond compounds on a strop.

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To add to the abuse he has also broken the tip 3 times :eek: and even today its not in the best of shape but its still holding up much better than I ever though it would.
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Almost forgot, Corrosion has yet to happen with this knife and the only wipe down it gets is to get the dirt off. I don't see it rusting anytime soon.
 
I've had mine for about a week so other than the usual great fit, finish, and initial sharpness from spyderco I can only add that I've been using it everyday in (freshwater) and haven't had any issues with corrosion.
 
The blade stains pretty easy...if that's an issue??? other than that mine has held up great, I don't really use it that much though...mine rides in my notebook case.
I have had problems with the clip screws getting loose...A little red locktite and little more of a turn then usual when putting it back on seem to stop it.

Keith
 
I really love ZDP-189!! It stays sharp for so long, in my experience about 3-4 times that of VG-10. One thing that I was told with ZDP is to not let it get dull. I run mine across a leather strop with green compound once in a while, I've never actually had to use sharpening stones.

Some have reported edge micro-chipping when sharpening with a ceramic stone, but it seems to be related to the pressure used to sharpen on the stone....it's best to use a light pressure. I live in Colorado and the humidity is also quite low and had no trouble with rusting.
 
First I would buy your dad a screwdriver! I have an A.G. Russell One-hand in ZDP-189 and love it. You won't have to wonder about corrosion as it has "reportedly" got 20% chromium and only God knows what else to offset the brittleness of the high chromium content. ZDP-189 is held in high regard by the Japanese since they keep the trade secret to it's heat treating and trace elements closely guarded. Only a few heat treaters outside of Japan know it's contents and ultimate heat treating process.....so I've read. There may be others who know, but aren't saying. My microbevels on the One-hand will split a loose beard hair quite effectively.
 
I own a couple E4 zdp189, one serated blade other plane, my serated blade has been my edc for the past month and am totally satisfied. I live in the Guadeloupe, french west indies, tropical environment, humid, hot, I use the knife every day, opening boxes, cutting cardboard or my co-workers shirt buttons and the knife keeps its edge incredibly well, no stains on the blade. got is used on ebay for less than 50usd, was a great buy. sharpen quite easily with diamond stone.
 
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