FFG Endura

jlfletcher83

jlfletcher83

Joined
Dec 22, 2006
Messages
1,277
I was in Oklahoma City earlier this week and stopped by the Outdoor America Store on Mac Arthur RD. They had the FFG Endura for a very good price. I bought and as soon as I got back to Wichita I switched it to tip down and started carrying it. It just so happened that there was quite a few things that needed cut. I grabbed my regular E4 for comparison and went to work. It definitely slides through thick cardboard easier than the regular model. Tomatoes were the point that the FFG model really shines over the regular model. It slid right through and made very thin slices. I used them both throughout the day for various cutting tasks. The majority of cutting tasks there was only a minor difference between the two but slicing they were polar opposites. The FFG model slices circles around the regular model. The G 10 handle is very comfortable but I never had a problem with the FRN model. The lockback was boringly secure as with all Spyderco models and pretty smooth. I had a resolution at the beginning of the year to stop buying foreign made knives. After handling the knife at the store I had to break my resolution. Overall this is a very well made knife and the foliage green handle just makes it cool.
 
Thanks for the review. I don't normally collect Enduras, but that G10 is looking better and better.
 
Do you feel the G10 handles help reduce any lateral blade play? My old FRN E4 seemed to loosen up quite a bit after a couple of years use. I could tighten the pivot to reduce the play, but as you know that also made it "harder" to open.
 
you came to OKC and you didnt say HI>>>? ole fred baker has some good prices out there. customer service used to stink badly though...but after a little old man walked out of the store with 5 magnum 500's fred changed things up a bit.....not a bad place to shop really.

i have to admit the blade grind on the FG lends itself to easier cutting for me
 
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Langston next time I will say hello. I used to live in Duncan and shopped there regularly but they are usually slow to get to selling something. But they have low prices and decent selection.
 
Okay ... I was intrigued by the idea of a flat ground Endura (sorry for being out of the loop!). After I looked at some online vendors, the "street price" seems to be about $120. Given that, a Military runs about $130.

So why pick the Endura over th Military?
 
rhino said:
Okay ... I was intrigued by the idea of a flat ground Endura (sorry for being out of the loop!). After I looked at some online vendors, the "street price" seems to be about $120. Given that, a Military runs about $130.

So why pick the Endura over th Military?
Click to expand...

Some prefer the feel in-hand of the Endura over the Military, while others prefer the lock back over the liner lock...or both...I'm sure there are other reasons, also...both have handles too long to be comfortable for me...

Choice...it's a great thing! :thumbup:

Ray :)
 
That makes sense.

Now, another question ... why does the flat ground Endura cost about twice the price of a regular Endura? Is it because of the steel/G10 handle primarily? Is it more expensive to flat grind a blade than it is to do the saber hollow grind?

I'd really like to see a flat ground Endura with the FRN handle at the same price point as the regular version (or close).
 
rhino said:
That makes sense.

Now, another question ... why does the flat ground Endura cost about twice the price of a regular Endura? Is it because of the steel/G10 handle primarily? Is it more expensive to flat grind a blade than it is to do the saber hollow grind?

I'd really like to see a flat ground Endura with the FRN handle at the same price point as the regular version (or close).
Click to expand...

I'm not sure there's justification for all the price difference, but the FFG Endura's liners are full thick non-recessed steel liners along with a full steel spine, (at least if it's like the FFG Delica...I don't have the FFG Endura to compare)...there's just more steel than is used in the FRN models. Over the long haul (years of use), these will hold up better. That said, I prefer the feel of the FRN models myself...:D

It's also possible that the full flat grind process is more expensive than the sabre grind...don't really know about this...

What I find interesting is how much more expensive the FFGs are than even the FRN-handled ZDP-189 Delicas and Enduras...I had thought that ZDP-189 was quite a bit more expensive than VG-10, enough so to offset the extra expense of the beefed-up handles of the FFGs...:confused:

Ray :)
 
The G-10 is custom made in the USA and shipped to Seki.

Labor costs are more to finish the G-10 version.

There are more parts in the G-10 version which requires more hand work.

sal
 
Thanks for the response, Sal.

Any chance of a "regular" Endura (FRN) with a flat ground blade? It would be sweet.
 
saywhat? said:
Do you feel the G10 handles help reduce any lateral blade play? My old FRN E4 seemed to loosen up quite a bit after a couple of years use. I could tighten the pivot to reduce the play, but as you know that also made it "harder" to open.
Click to expand...

How would the Stainless steel handled Endura stand up as far as lateral play and loosening of the lock up?
 
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