Endura 4 or Buck /Strider 889?

D

Dr. Pepper

Joined
Sep 26, 2006
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This is in follow up to the “Bushcraft Folder?” thread on the wilderness training forum. I know that these knives are not as desirable as the top notch Rukus (my favorite), 710, Manix, or Military,or Ritter Griptillian. I am never going to intentionally be in survival situations with this knife only. I do not have diamond stones and I prefer edge rolling to chipping. My whims can change instantly so for my enjoyment I think I would rather have a cheaper knife that I can lay aside and not use with less guilt once the shiny wears off.

I have considered all knives mentioned on the other thread and have picked the two in the title. I am not really a fan of the finger hole hump, while the Buck has a smooth dorsal profile. I have a Centofante III so the Endura might be slightly redundant in terms of my knife collection. The Buck should be stronger and has better choking up ability. I like the open construction of the 889 as I have nothing else even remotely close to it (normally a slipjoint guy). The choil on the Buck is both intriguing and irritating, as it seems to be useful and wastes good blade length at the same time. Never had a liner lock before and am concerned about all "noise" that has been posted here about them.

I am probably more interested in the Buck because it is somewhat of a novelty to me but have a nagging feeling in my gut that the Endura might simply be better. (lighter, more blade, better steel, lockback). The problem is I envision this knife being used somewhat roughly.

Please comment about strength, comfort in hand, and ease of carry. The prices are basically identical. I do know the difference in real life performance of VG10 and 420HC.

I have used the search function a lot concerning all my questions. You have to sew pieces together and read between the lines that way. A response from someone who has used both is a more credible source in a direct comparison and would be especially appreciated.
 
I am only basing this on my experiences with the Buck Strider version of the SNG model. I had the ATS34 model, haven't seen the newer 154CM models, but heard they have thicker liners. Also, being the new owner of a SNG, I am a little biased towards just getting the SNG. I have owned Endura 3's and one 4. Based on my experience with the poor liner lock of the collaboration Buck model, I would go with the Endura. The ergos on the collaboration are much better IMHO. I can do without the serrations on the collaboration, but you have your choice of them on the Endura. I used to prefer the model 3 Endura design over the 4, but after checking out a 4 recently, it has preferable ergos over the 3 design, again, IMHO.

I am a big guy with some dunlop, okay, a lot. I do a lot of hiking and walking, and the best IWB carry folder was my Endura, both the 3 and 4. Very slim, surprising for the thickness of the blade, which isn't that thick, but is pretty big by itself. The collaboration model, well, I don't remember any problems with it, but it just feels kind of bulky. It is very similar to the SNG that I have now, and I carried the SNG with me on a couple hikes, IWB. No problems. I don't know if you will have yours in your pocket or a belt sheath.

For cutting, both are good. I like that big hood near the pivot, the Spyderco hump, its a good thumb rest. One of my few complaints about my SNG is that the thumb ridges are not comfortable enough. I have been told that it is a knife built for "operators" that will know the knife is there. I see a buffer in my future ;). Anyway, I prefer the edge of the Endura over that of the collaboration.

Overall, I would go with an FRN Endura 4. If you're heart is set on the collaboration, go for the 154CM version, and learn how to sharpen 154CM steel ;) (something I am not good at, yet).
 
Interesting thread. I have a couple older Enduras, a Buck/Strider 889, & 882 (The 420HC & ATS-34 versions).

I think the B/Ss are more robust & I find the "choking up" option to be useful. Also, the ergos of the B/S, to me, are great & using just the handle, increases the chopping ability or stabbing length.

As to the liner locks, both of mine have been great & the liners are the same thickness. I do have a B/S with titanium liners, & yes, it's thicker.

I also have very large hands (XL gloves are very snug & wear 13-15 rings, depending on the finger), if that might shed some light.

The Enduras are nice, but they're lighter. Obviously, the steel's better, but Bos heat treated 420HC isn't bad. I did find that the 420HC version has a thinner blade, at the spine, than the 882s.

Hope that helps.
 
The Endura, no contest, for me. Miles ahead in terms of quality and design, in my experience.
 
Dr. Pepper said:
The problem is I envision this knife being used somewhat roughly.
Click to expand...

Depending on what you mean by that, I'm going to lean towards the Buck 889. Mine is built like the proverbial tank and I could see it's blade taking more abuse than the blade in an Endura.
 
I have the the Buck 882 (BOS ATS-34). IMO the design of this knife is its strongest point, but as others mentioned the thin liner is a real negative and gives the impression of being weak. These is something about the design that intrigues me and I carry it most weekends. The action is smooth and the blade came shaving sharp, a few stokes on a steel or leather strop keeps it that way. BTW even though the liner looks thin, I have not had any problems with lock failure from tapping or applying vibration to the spine.

I should mention that the ball detent is weak, combine that with a heavy blade and the knife becomes very filckable.

I got mine when Buck was running a closeout on their web site for $49.00 shipped, I found another a few months ago on sale for $60.00.

My practical side tells me that the Endura 4 is probably the better tool, but I wouldn't trade my Buck for one.
 
if you are leaning towrd harder use go buck/strider. if you want an efficient cutter get the endura.:thumbup:
 
Endura

The Buck Striders have a bad record (personal experience included) of lock failure and the ones I've seen that have been carried for a while don't hold up well.

Enduras, on the other hand, hold up well for years and years and, I think, are just better quality in general.

.
 
Go endura over the B/S. I have one and I love it. Slim profile wicked sharp, I did reprofile the edge a little bit and I finish with a courser medium diamond stone on my lansky for a toothier edge. Over all this knife is strong no complaints. I forget its there when I go for a run.
 
I've had both and really liked both but i'd have to go with endura. Yeah the buck looks heavy duty and it is to an extent but mine would fail even the most gentle spine whack test almost every time. If you have the money get both as they can be had pretty reasonably if you look around. later,ahgar
oh and pick up a sodbuster while you're at it.
 
I've owned the earlier gen Endura - excellent knife with the generic problems of an integral FRN handle fixed properly in the latest version.

I also have a Tarani SBT in 420, and regardless of the heat treat, don't care for the edge holding, hollow grind, FRN grips (I sanded off the checkering) or thick carry. I bought a SnG and all that was solved immediately, better steel, flatground, thinner, lighter. The B/S was a warranty replacement and equally poor locking up with the thin s/s liners. The Buck is not my recommendation unless you get ATS34 and G10 grips - then it's superior.

The Strider grip grooves accentuate gloved hand grip, not bare hand, as you observed. If you plan on using a knife with gloves on, the design is the best offered on the market, which makes it a superior hard use design. If you're fair weather hiking and a bare hand user, you can't take as much advantage of the design. The Endura would come out more user friendly.

My 2c.
 
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