Endura or Native (help me decide)

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Apr 26, 2007
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I have held both and like them equally well. My only question is to decide on the Endura green handle with VG10 steel, or the Native with S30V??? Which is the better choice???
 
Difference in size so which one are you more comfortable carrying? I have a Native which is my beater and it fits me perfectly. I think the Endura is a little to big for an EDC for me over the Native.
 
I personally prefer the Endura. Although I don't think you can really go wrong with either. If your blade length is restricted, I would say go with the Native, but if that's not a concern, I'd say go with the Endura. I like the design much better. As for the steels, I haven't been able to tell much of a difference under regular use. Both are excellent.
 
I'm a fan of VG-10. It's easy to sharpen, takes a finer edge, and, unlike S30V, no concerns with chipping. If you go the Native route, I'd look into the VG-10 Native III. The 3-D contoured scales fit my hand better, and are very comfortable for long term use.

The longer blade of the Endura may come in handy at times, depending on what you use the knife for. The Endura is also available with a ZDP-189 blade. ZDP-189 is harder, and will hold an edge longer, than VG-10 or S30V. It is also more resistant to scratches. It's a bit more difficult to sharpen, but, depending on your usage, you may not need to to sharpen it for a long time.

Tom
 
they are both good knives, try to eventually acquire both if you can. the native is small and compact while the endura is bigger and longer. if you want a small compact knife to carry around go with native, but if you want something bigger with a longer blade then go with endura.
 
I just picked up a Native from Wal Mart today. I hate going to that horrible place, so when I HAVE to I like to pick up a little treat for myself:thumbup: The Native is a great "little" hand-filling knife (not a hand full, but filling if that makes sense). While I do like how my Tasman packs very slim and is totally rust proof, the Native blade shape is going to give it a run for it's money in the EDC department. Perfect length for just about any medium duty cutting chore, plenty (yet sturdy) of point to poke with, s30V steel at $40 bucks:eek: Like pretty much every Spyderco I've handled, the lock up is great and the edge came shaving sharp.
Great value for the buck, and easy to obtain if you want a new good quality but don't want to wait on shipping:D

Jake
 
I won't comment on the steel, for reasons unspoken in this thread.

But I will say this. Ever since I've been carrying this POS Gerber Paraframe II (3.5" combo edge), I'm really not missing the very short cutting edge on my Native. Or the delicate tip. Hell, I dont miss the knife at all. Can't say it was a bad knife either, had some issues with the steel but its going into Spyderco and I'm quite sure it'll come back 100% better. I think the blade shape is all wrong for me, though, and I'll likely be getting something else by the end of summer. Probably nothing special just a E4 or maybe a liner-locking bird (I forgot how much I enjoy liner locks as well).
 
The Endura, get the Endura, awesome package in any flavor. There has to be one million of us carrying them by now, Spyderco has been serving them hot since 1990:)
 
Get the native. Mine has been an excellent knife for the 2 + years I have been carrrying it. It is very comfortable, and the S30V holds an edge well for me and sharpens like a dream. I could not be happier. I own two delicas as well and don't find them to be as comfortabe in the hand. I have given several natives as gifts and every one I have given has become it's respective owner's EDC. The enduras I have handled have simply been too big for me to carry every day. I still want one, just not for my EDC.
 
Not enough confusion yet? In need of more personal opinions :-)?

Ok, here you go:

The Endura is the "better" knife because of the stronger tip, more useable blade length, relatively slim profile, all screw construction with adjustable pivot to eliminate blade play, and of course the steel liners. Ah, and because you can choose between the edge config (PE,CE,SE) AND the steel/handle material/color.

The Native is "better" 'cause it is more in the EDC department just because of its (lacking) length. The Endura IS a big knife and inappropriate or even illegal in some places/aeras. If you can get used to it resp. don't care, then the Endura is the more modern and remunerative package for you.

I have a ZDP BRG PE Endura on the way right now.... can't wait :-)

as always, just my .002


Dennis
 
get the ZDP BRG Endura. the Native is fugly IMO unless you like goldfish looking knives. The Endura looks like a sleek commorant/pterodactyl and the ZDP one just begs to be owned.
 
Ok, just ordered a black FRN VG-10 Endura. With both the green handled ZDP and VG-10 blade versions on back order, I just went with it.
 
I've had a partially serated Endura for quite some time - all around great knife. I just picked up a Native yesterday at Wal Mart for $40.00. Looks like a great EDC knife.
 
Both are good knives. I would suggest to pick up the endura if there is no problem with carrying a blade that long. The native is agreat knife but the thing that I do not like about it is it feels "flimsy". There are no liners unlike the endura so the knife doesnt feel as solid. Although the native does feel flimsy, I've been reading that it will hold its own when used.

Have you thought about picking up a delica4?
 
Like I said, I decided on the Endura. I really like the extra blade length as I need to use it to cut alot of rope sometimes. Anywhere from small stuff up to 3in. I really wanted either one of the green FRN handle knives in either ZDP or VG-10. But they were both on backorder. So I just went with the black handle.
 
I haven't tried the Endura, but I love my Native FRN, purchased from Walmart. It doesn't feel flimsy to me, as some have reported. I have other Spyderco knives in SS and this feels every bit as substantial as the SS knives, without the weight.
 
I have held both and like them equally well. My only question is to decide on the Endura green handle with VG10 steel, or the Native with S30V??? Which is the better choice???

The native is smaller and maybe a better EDC. Although i'm in love with Endura 4, i think that it is too big for and EDC knife.

BUT if you can...get them both:) :) :)

Have a nice day
 
I honestly admire them both very much. Inside, for household duties, I carry a Native I. It seems to ride unobtrusively in my side pocket, yet can be deployed quickly and the blade provides plenty of cutting power for all but my kitchen/cooking needs. Sometimes I will take a Native III , from time to time, as an EDC when I head out-the-door....and want to carry only a 3" blade.

I also have two Enduras....an older 1st generation which sits by the back door and is my designated "garden blade"; it sees duty each and every time I go out to do yard work. It has experienced some mighty hard use on occassion...and always performs flawlessly. My newer Endura, a fourth generation model, which I bought just before the last winter's holidays, I use it in a my EDC rotation. Great all-round folder......although it is has a 4" blade, it's slim form factor makes for a comfortable carry.

Congratulations on your new Endura...I think it will serve you well, and you will enjoy its capabilities for many years to come !

You probably will want to end with the Native eventually too ...,...it also is that remarkable !

- Best to all !
 
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