Endura 4 vs. Griptilian

D

derblott

Joined
May 24, 2006
Messages
8
I (like so many others) am in the market for a $45-70 folder. I have pretty much narrowed it down to spyderco and benchmade. I was considering CRKT but have seen more than mixed opinions on them. I've done a lot of forum searching, and I see the endura and the grip recommended a lot together, but what are the differences? What's the difference between VG-10 and 154CM? I'm looking to EDC it and you can assume it'll be cutting everything from cardboard and plastic to apples and cheese. I've been able to try out the grip at a local store and love it, feels great. Very solid. There aren't any spyderco retailers in my area so I haven't been able to try the endura.

At this point the only advantage to the endura that I can see is that it's about 20 bucks cheaper. Lastly, is www.knifeworks.com a good place to buy? They seem to have the best deals and largest selection. Thanks a lot!
 
That is a brutally hard question. They are both superb. I have never used 154 but VG 10 takes and holds an amazing edge. The Endura is slimmer when you carry IWB as I do. I have both types of knives but I lean towards Spyderco. You can't go wrong with either knife.
I would say New Graham would be the best place to buy.
 
derblott said:
At this point the only advantage to the endura that I can see is that it's about 20 bucks cheaper.
Click to expand...

The endura is thinner and thus way more comfortable to carry. The bladeshape is, IMO more suitable for the tasks you mentioned. The high, big round hole is a better opening mechanism. Add all these together, and the endura 4 comes out the winner for me.

That said, the Grip is an awesome knife, and I wouldn't blame anyone for picking it over the endura, although I think the endura 4 is best-in-class for me.
 
Well, the large handle doesn't bother me, I have very large hands. Perhaps it's a little less pleasant to carry but I'd rather have a more comfortable grip. What about ease of sharpening between the two? Thanks for replies, btw.
 
Spyderco's edge geometry is usually way better than Benchmade's out of the factory, and a thinner edge should make sharpening the Spyderco a tad easier, given the relative similarity in wear resistance between the two steels. Not enough that it'd be a deciding factor, IMO.
 
I've went back and forth on this battle many times.

Not too long ago I posted reasons why I felt the Endura 4 was better than the Griptilian...but I have since changed my opinion.

I recently traded an Endura 4 for a 550 Griptilian and I have no regrets.
The E4 is'nt as comfortable in my grip as the 550.

And I'll have to agree AND disagree with Joe on the "edge geometry" aspect.
I agree that Spyderco knives typically have better edge geometry than Benchmade knives, however, this is not the case concerning the Griptilian series.

In my experience, the 550 cuts better than the E4.
And when you combine that with the Axis-lock, the Griptilian is the clear winner.

I think a better battle would be the "Drop-point D'Allara vs the 550 Griptilian".


Allen.
 
Both great knives. But I'll take a Endura 4 Wave over a Griptilian any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
 
About 18 months ago, I bought a Griptilian and an Endura 3 based on the recommendation of my local knife shop. It was the first time I purchased either brand.

After the novelty wore off of playing with the axis lock, the Griptilian went to the bottom of the drawer, while the ugly Endura sees regular non-workday use.

I guess the bulky shape of the Griptilian is what turns me off, as the knife is otherwise an OK performer. The light weight, thin profile and VG10 steel of the Spyderco have won me over to their ugly knives. The Griptilian will eventually be used in my car PSK.
 
I think the Endura 3 and Grip are a fair battle, but I think the Endura 4 is the best buy in the range, especially now that you can get it in a Waved version.
 
Disappointingly, I haven't been able to get used to the handle shape of the Endura 4. I absolutely love the Delica 4, which is odd, 'cause I have medium-large hands. In my mitts, the 551 Grip is the best choice. Mine has D2 steel from Cabela's. I've had it for 2 years now and I really like it.
 
Spydercos have thinner handles, i like my endura it has a thicker rounder handle, more comfortable in my opinion, maybe betetr work knife. I also really like the axis lock, though i dont like the tip up carry design. Sometimes spydercos tend to be real wide when cosed because of the large hole. Because of this i ike the griptillian, it has a nice large hole but its shaped better so that when the knife is closed it doesnt have that weird bulge.
Maybe you should jsut get them both.

My griptillian says 440c, did they change the metal on the griptillian?
 
Two great knives.

I like the rock solid lock-up of the Axis lock Grips. Most 4 series Delicas and Enduras that I have handled have had a little blade play.

Having said that I prefer the lock back and opening hole of the Spyderco Delica/Endura when working in thick gloves.
 
I own both, and it's a battle everyday to choose which one will go in my pocket. I like the Griptilian a bit more because of the more hand filling handle and the AXIS lock. The Endura is better if you need a slimmer knife, and it is considerably cheaper than the Grip.

I've found the Griptilian to be a better slicer than the Endura, but that's the only performance difference. I think this two might be the best EDC folders in that price range, so comparing them is hard and VERY subjective.
 
derblott said:
At this point the only advantage to the endura that I can see is that it's about 20 bucks cheaper.
Click to expand...
While some would certainly argue this: My opinion is that another advantage is the simpler, and therefor more reliable, less failure-prone locking mechanism.

derblott said:
Lastly, is www.knifeworks.com a good place to buy? They seem to have the best deals and largest selection. Thanks a lot!
Click to expand...
Dunno. I bought my Delica 4 from newgraham.com. Excellent service.
 
allenC said:
I think a better battle would be the "Drop-point D'Allara vs the 550 Griptilian".
Click to expand...

I do think the drop-point D'Allara and the Grip are obvious head-to-head choices. For some reason the D'Allara gets little notice, but it is built on practically the same philosophy as the Grip: big hand-filling FRN handles reinforced by steel liners, next-generation lock type, practical blade shape.

For everyday carry, I'd pick the endura 4 over either of those :) But agree anyone who feels the Grip's bigger handles are a plus rather than a minus should check out the D'Allara also.

Joe
 
Joe T wrote:Spyderco's edge geometry is usually way better
Click to expand...

Funny, I would agree with that statement with everything except the 4 series. I had a Delica 4, NIB, and I actually traded it for a Delica 3, which I"m happier with. For some reason, I found the Delica 4 not nearly as good a cutter as the 3. Don't know why. The newer waved Endura 4 looks pretty cool, with a slightly different blade shape.
 
eyeeatingfish said:
My griptillian says 440c, did they change the metal on the griptillian?
Click to expand...

They recently switched to 154CM on the Griptillian.

I have a griptillian and an Endura 4. The Endura 4 sees more carry time.
 
I have never held a Delica 4 but I had many Delica 3's. I love the Delica 3 and I think it may just be the best 3" bladed knife out there for the price.

I just don't like the look of the new Delica shape, I don't like the the clip, and I don't like the more blunt tip.

There is just something about the good old Delica 3 that rules. :) Everything on it works perfectly. :)
 
I have had both knives to include the Ritt model grip, which is awesome, but I still prefer the E4. I guess with those 2 knives it is all a matter of preference.
 
What is a "Wave" that people speak so highly of on the enduras? Forgive me, I am a newbie. Someone mentioned somewhere they don't need the wave because they quit smoking? That REALLY threw me off.

Anyway thanks for all the replies, looks like I can't really go wrong. I just wish I could find an endura (or any spyderco) to play with. I'll probably end up going with the Grip for the simple reason I've actually been able to handle it, and know that I like it. As I mentioned before, the larger size is a plus. I mainly need a knife for a job in Alaska this summer, so I'm not concerned about fitting it in my carharts. Being that the Delica is so cheap, and everyone raves about Spyderco, maybe I'll buy a Delica also as a smaller knife :thumbup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top