Help! Spydie Endura 4 or CS Voyager?

vwb563

vwb563

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I'm about to buy a new edc and I'm torn between the Endura 4 in vg10, Endura 4 in zdp189, and a Cold Steel large Voyager in vg1. Please help! Give me your opinions on the pro's :thumbup: and con's :thumbdn: of each! Thanks in advance!,,,VWB.
 
Howdy! I currently own a Spyderco Endura 4. Bought one to replace the one I carried for 10 years (should say alot about the longevity of the Endura, with plenty of "TLC" of course!) I do not own a single CS (however, have had a heavy eye on the SRK). I'll give pros and cons of the Endura because that is what I own, I couldn't do the Voyager justice w/o owning one.

Endura 4
:thumbup: lightweight, thumb hole (I prefer a hole rather than a stud), price (~$45-50), VG-10 easy to sharpen, and maintains an edge, four way/reversible steel clip (big update since the old days of a zytel clip, steel liners within the handle for added strength and toughness

:thumbdn: lock-back (I prefer a liner or BM's Axis lock), added steel liners coupled with zytel handles and pocket lint causes the pivot to get stiff, and also the fact that Spyderco does not put their knives through the testing CS does (if Spyderco does, they should make the DVDs). I respect CS for doing this, however. I believe that Spyderco knives would stand the testing and pass.

Hope this helps and happy cutting! :D
 
Spyderco, no question about it. The ZDP is great stuff, great edge that lasts long. Their VG10 is also very good, good edge and easier to sharpen. Either one will outlast and out cut the CS VG1. Customer service is also much better if you ever need it. Spyderco makes it own products. CS sells products made for them as they are a knife marketing company, not a knife manufacturer.
 
I have the previous model Endura II (all stainless) in aus-6 and and combo edge, it is one of my all-time fave. knives I love it, and have used it lots.
I also have the CS Voyager in 4 inch, tanto, combo edge, also a fine blade(to be totaly honest I don't know what the steel is, but it got tiny surface rust spots on it the other day, my fault cutting open a bag of salt/ice-melt and did not clean off the blade afterwards.) anyways it is a great blade. If I were you I would find a place that carries both and do a in-hand side-by-side comparison, the thumb stud on the CS is verry small, kind of odd if you ask me. As aposed to the Spyderco hole, that is wounderfuly easy to find and open. the steel liners on the Endura is a big plus and the testing of the Voyagers is also , UI see them as about equal, so it Boils down to personal preference and ergonomics in YOUR hand. If I had to decide I think I would go with the Endura 4 (waved too).
 
While I've never had a Cold Steel knife, I have looked at & handled them. I don't know if the Endura ZDP's have the liners built into the handle, but the waved Endura 4 does. It opens quickly (Because of the wave feature), VG-10 is a very good steel (Better than CS's VG-1, I believe), & now has phos-bronze washers. I don't know if CS has them. But overall, I'd say that the Spyderco (Any of the new ones with VG-10 or better), has better steel, is made better, & will last longer.

While the lock-back of the Spyderco might not be the smoothest lock or the easiest to close one-handed, it is a very strong lock.

Personally, I'd go for the Endura, & probably the waved one, although ZDP is great.
 
I have a medium tanto CE Voyager and 7 Delicas that I'll be happy to compare. I've had the Voyager for about 3 years now, so it's not VG1. It's probably AUS6, I don't remember. It's small, very lightweight, and very sharp. There have been no issues with corrosion, chipping, blade play or lockup... it's as solid today as it ever was. I keep it in my dogs' first aid kit as a light duty cutter and it's fine for that. I do find it somewhat less than comfortable when I use it because of the slim handle and light weight. As we're talking about CS here, I'll add that my oldest folder is an old CS 2.5" blade lockback with a San Mai blade. It's a late 80's or early 90's model that is as solid today as the day I bought it new. All I've ever had to do was to epoxy one of the kraton handle scales back onto the liner. Lockup is solid and there is no blade play.

I have Delicas from the D3 CF model to the D4 ZDP189 model. My favorites are the D4 VG10 PE models. I use a ZDP189 D4 in my car bag that has some other tools, a fire starter, TL2, and a Leatherman in it. I just grab that if I'm going somewhere and it usually has everything I need in it. My wife uses her ZDP189 D4 as her work knife for opening boxes, cutting zip ties, light wiring, etc. I use one of my VG10 D4s as my work knife (warehouse cutting chores). My sister uses a VG10 D4 that I gave her as her work knife. She's a firefighter/EMT in FL.

The Delicas have taken some serious puishment from me, including being dropped onto concrete from 10' or more with no harm to handle or blade. I've taken mine apart for cleaning and even rebuilt my warehouse D4 using Spyderco's parts kit. Delicas just don't quit. I even used that warehouse knife with no washers for a while before I rebuilt it. Couldn't tell any difference in it's lockup or performance. I had a bit of blade play, but nothing unexpected for having two missing parts.

HTH...
 
SOLEIL said:
Spyderco makes it own products. CS sells products made for them as they are a knife marketing company, not a knife manufacturer.
Click to expand...

spyderco has the delica/endura made for them by a japanese company also....
as well as all the other asian spyderco models...
 
From one knife lover to another, I believe that the issue of whether or not Japanese manufacturing techniques are of lesser quality or not as superior as Made in the USA blades should be a non-issue. Granted, I've heard as we all might have, that CS has some issues with their quality control. However......
the Japanese have been around for, what, nearly thousands of years. They've been making, forging, and using cutting utensils and tools longer than we have, I believe that any knife made in Japan is quality and will do what it's supposed to do: CUT.
 
The Motivator said:
From one knife lover to another, I believe that the issue of whether or not Japanese manufacturing techniques are of lesser quality or not as superior as Made in the USA blades should be a non-issue. Granted, I've heard as we all might have, that CS has some issues with their quality control. However......
the Japanese have been around for, what, nearly thousands of years. They've been making, forging, and using cutting utensils and tools longer than we have, I believe that any knife made in Japan is quality and will do what it's supposed to do: CUT.
Click to expand...

that wasn't what I was saying, and I totally agree with you on that point... my point was that ColdSteel "markets" foreign made knives the same way that spyderco "markets" foreign made knives...
from my personal expirience, spyderco's customer service doesn't back their "foreign" models quite the same as their USA made models... I once had a problem with a "jap" spyderco, and was told by Customer service that since it was made overseas, the part that was needed wasn't available stateside...
I only buy American made knives now...
 
I did not say made in the USA. I was merely stating a simple fact. CS contracts someone to make all of their products, they do not have a central manufacturing location. They do not have the over site and direction that Spyderco does on their contracted goods. This was pointed out for the purpose of a more efficient customer service base, which Spyderco has. CS has some very good products for the price, I own many. Spyderco has better products and better customer service, primarily because they are a knife manufacturer, not a knife marketer. To me there is a definite plus to buying from a manufacturer than a marketer.
 
SOLEIL said:
I did not say made in the USA. I was merely stating a simple fact. CS contracts someone to make all of their products, they do not have a central manufacturing location. They do not have the over site and direction that Spyderco does on their contracted goods. This was pointed out for the purpose of a more efficient customer service base, which Spyderco has. CS has some very good products for the price, I own many. Spyderco has better products and better customer service, primarily because they are a knife manufacturer, not a knife marketer. To me there is a definite plus to buying from a manufacturer than a marketer.
Click to expand...

I think what you mean, & what I see, is that Spyderco designs & has more of a hand in the QC of their over-seas products than CS. I heard, but can't verify, that Spyderco (Along with another company) bought the Chinese factory that makes their knives. I don't believe CS does that at all.

Also, I believe CS makes more copies of other peoples knives, while Sal gives others credit. Personally, I've noticed that CS seems to change the steel they use, but don't necessarily admit it's inferior (If it is). Having said all that, yes, CS has made some nice products over the years (Including knives).

I loved their African walking stick. Great for traveling, especially on planes, & is more "bullet-proof" than a wooden cane, IMHO.
 
Get the Endura. You have more choices as far as edge type, steel type, grind, handle material, and handle color.
 
I have owned a few of both brands.. Even with all the b.s about Cold Steel knives, I have never had a problem with them...
That said, between the two I would definetely go with Spyderco....
Very well made knives, and the BIG plus is they stand behind their products.
If there is a problem they will take care of it... Heck you can even communicate with the owner of the company. He truly does care about the products they make, and the people that buy them.....
 
The current version of the Endura is one of the finest factory made pocket knives ever, especially considering the reasonable price---IMHO.
 
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