Endura and Delica Stainless Questions

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precisionshootist

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Mar 1, 2010
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How are the Endura 4 and Delica 4 stainless versions put together? Looks like they don't have the adjustable pivot and screws like the 4th gen FRN models. Can they be disassembled? Although I carry and own many Spydercos, they are all FRN models and strange as it may seem I've never even given an all stainless version a first look. The reason for me is that Spyderco has always been about light weight carry but now I'm curious since I've greatly expanded my collection lately. I'm thinking about picking up a stainless model to try out.

Are there advantages to the stainless versions that I'm missing?


Thanks
Precision
 
They are pinned construction. They can be disassembled, but reassembly is another matter. It generally means putting in new pins, setting them properly, then refinishing the entire knife. If you are one of those people who just has to take everything apart, pass on these. They are relatively heavy, which some people like, they get scratched up easily, which most people here seem to hate, and the only advantage I've ever seen to them is they are hollow saber grind instead of flat saber grind, so they are a little thinner behind the edge.
 
Good Information, thanks!

It's strange but you rarely see them here when members show their collections. They don't seem to be very popular but they must sell to people that just want a sturdy feeling knife and that don't visit knife forums. I've heard about them being less prone to blade play than FRN. They also seem to be a little thinner and might be a little easier to deploy because of the smooth sides. I'm also curious about the Police model. As long as this model has been around I've never once actually seen or heard of anyone in Law Enforcement using one. I'm sure they do to some extent but I just don't see a huge blade like that being something a cop would actually have a use for. On a different note, I really like the concept that Spyderco continues to produce their classic models such as the Police and the Stainless Endura and Delica. It's a great business model as it allows someone to jump into Spyderco today and still get models that were available 20 plus years ago.
 
From what Sal has posted in the past, the stainless Police Model has been in their top ten sellers for the last 25 years or so, so someone must be buying them. Other than me, of course.

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Sometimes stainless spidies are nice. Other times I prefer G-10, FRN, titanium, or carbon fiber. The scorpius, Mariner, police, lava, navigator, dragonfly, spin, cricket, harpy and endura are just some of the spidies I prefer in stainless. Something about the heft and feel, very nice. They get a character all their own after years of loyal service, when well broken in. Every scratch is a memory, and they just get easier and smoother to open and close. Give one a try.
 
yablanowitz:

Wow, that is quite a portfolio! Do you just focus on the Police model or is this just a sample of a huge collection? That's about as many as I have in FRN. I do want to try an all stainless and maybe even the Police 3 just because the blade is so long. I handled a police 3 and was impressed by how smooth the action was right out of the box. Last question. How do you like the small false edge on the blade. Do you find it weaker than the normal saber ground knives? It certainly would be a good at poking holes in things!
 
The stainless versions are slicker and heavier than their FRN and G10 counterparts, and cannot be easily disassembled or pivot adjusted. These are not positive attributes. But they have a certain aesthetic appeal, and feel in the hand almost like a piece of machinery. The stainless Police versions especially are very thin, and slide and hide easily in a pocket. I would not recommend a stainless Spydie as an early addition to one's collection or rotation, but on the other hand, no Spydie collection is complete without a stainless version.
 
Nothing of any real weight to add to this discussion but did want to say that my second Spyderco was a stainless Delica 4 and I love everything about it . I hope to get a stainless Police or Endura someday . With a little luck maybe I can have both .
Jim
 
precisionshootist said:
yablanowitz:

Wow, that is quite a portfolio! Do you just focus on the Police model or is this just a sample of a huge collection? That's about as many as I have in FRN. I do want to try an all stainless and maybe even the Police 3 just because the blade is so long. I handled a police 3 and was impressed by how smooth the action was right out of the box. Last question. How do you like the small false edge on the blade. Do you find it weaker than the normal saber ground knives? It certainly would be a good at poking holes in things!
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The Police Model is the portion of my huge accumulation that I consider a collection. I've been buying them for no better reason than "I don't have that particular variation yet". I'm quite sure that what I have is less than a third of all the variations that have been made, so I can keep looking indefinitely.

I rather like the swedge on the tip, and it does allow it to pierce with less effort. While it may be weaker than a blade without it, the thinnest, weakest, most complained about tips on Spyderco knives average twice as thick and strong as the slipjoints I grew up using. I've completely given up on the idea that people will ever learn that different tools are not interchangeable.
 
yablanowitz said:
From what Sal has posted in the past, the stainless Police Model has been in their top ten sellers for the last 25 years or so, so someone must be buying them. Other than me, of course.
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On the rare occasion that I see a small hardware, gun or sporting goods store that carries Spyderco knives, it's always the stainless Police and some Delicas and Enduras, and very rarely other models.

(What I want to see is one with a FRN, Micarta or G-10 handle and the real Police blade, not the flat ground swedgeless one in the Police 3.)
 
I guess I need to update my lineup again. I have a hollow saber grind G-10 Police now, so it has been done. It didn't sell. Neither did the second version with a single liner and flat ground blade.
 
All stainless models are also favored by those who want to have a knife personalized with engraving, either for themselves or as a gift.

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