- Joined
- Aug 6, 2003
- Messages
- 484
I use a knife quite a bit at my job, cutting thick plastic tubing, opening boxes, and such. A fixed blade is frowned upon by management, so a good pocketknife is a must. I've been looking for a good replacement for my old Case Large Trapper with carbon steel blades for a while, and decided on a Spyderco because of the ability to open them with one handand the chance to obtain a knife with premium steel for not a lot of money. I chose the Endura last weekend at a local gun show because of the flat grind, the size, and blade steel.
The NIB edge wasn't as good as I expected. While sharp, it was very coarse. I didn't try to cut anything before redoing the edge on a Norton Fine India Stone. The sharpening angle NIB was quite a bit inconsitent near the tip, and it took a good bit of work to get it the same for the entire edge. After removing the burr and just a touch of stropping on leather, I had a very sharp edge.
The finish on the blade was good and the grind lines are very good. The finish on the blade spine and backspring is awful. Just like it had come off of a 60 grit belt. The bottom of the ricasso is the same, except the scratches run lengthwise with the blade. The fit of the backspring/handle area is also dissappointind. I can see light on both sides of the backspring looking at it with the blade open. Blade lockup is very good, with no blade play in any direction. The backspring seems very strong, and the blade snaps open and locked smoothly and solidly.
Edge retention is at least as good as the carbon steel of my old Case, maybe better. I haven't had it long enough to know how much better. Edge geometry is also good. It slices through tough material with little perceptable drag. The VG-10 seems to be very stain resistant as well. I cut up a lemon for my wife with it and let it sit overnight without wiping it off, and I can't find any stains or specks of rust. When I get to the point of resharpenning, I'm gonna convex the edge, and then I'll have a real pocket chainsaw!
The pocket clip was a consideration in the purchase, and it is definitely a plus. I didn't realize how useful this little attachment was until this week. Now I wouldn't have an EDC pocketknife without one.
Though I was dissappointed in a few things about this knife, I'm very well pleased with my purchase. The Endura is certainly not pleasing to my eye, but it makes up for it with usefullness and ease of maintenance.
Todd
The NIB edge wasn't as good as I expected. While sharp, it was very coarse. I didn't try to cut anything before redoing the edge on a Norton Fine India Stone. The sharpening angle NIB was quite a bit inconsitent near the tip, and it took a good bit of work to get it the same for the entire edge. After removing the burr and just a touch of stropping on leather, I had a very sharp edge.
The finish on the blade was good and the grind lines are very good. The finish on the blade spine and backspring is awful. Just like it had come off of a 60 grit belt. The bottom of the ricasso is the same, except the scratches run lengthwise with the blade. The fit of the backspring/handle area is also dissappointind. I can see light on both sides of the backspring looking at it with the blade open. Blade lockup is very good, with no blade play in any direction. The backspring seems very strong, and the blade snaps open and locked smoothly and solidly.
Edge retention is at least as good as the carbon steel of my old Case, maybe better. I haven't had it long enough to know how much better. Edge geometry is also good. It slices through tough material with little perceptable drag. The VG-10 seems to be very stain resistant as well. I cut up a lemon for my wife with it and let it sit overnight without wiping it off, and I can't find any stains or specks of rust. When I get to the point of resharpenning, I'm gonna convex the edge, and then I'll have a real pocket chainsaw!
The pocket clip was a consideration in the purchase, and it is definitely a plus. I didn't realize how useful this little attachment was until this week. Now I wouldn't have an EDC pocketknife without one.
Though I was dissappointed in a few things about this knife, I'm very well pleased with my purchase. The Endura is certainly not pleasing to my eye, but it makes up for it with usefullness and ease of maintenance.
Todd