high(er) tech Endura?

S

SharpCdn

Joined
Jun 21, 1999
Messages
175
I have had an Endura for Ten years now. I have always loved it. Wear it everyday, forget its there until I use it. Unfortunately, after a few years the lock started to fail to the point it no longer locked at all. When I sent it to Spyderco for you guys to fix it, you sent a replacement, much to my pleasure. I was overjoyed, but now that I have resharpened it a few times, I'm noticing that it no longer seems to hold an edge like my original did. The new one has ATS-8 steel.
I do not remember what kind was used in my original one, maybe it was the same. Anyway, I've been looking at the Military, because of its great steel, considering it as a replacement for my everyday knife, but it is so much heavier. The thing that I love about my Endura is it is always there, even when I swim, I never notice it. The military is like twice as heavy, and has a (slightly) shorter blade. What about an Endura with that 440v stuff, and maybe even Carbon fibre grips. I know I would have to pay dearly for such a thing, but it would be worth it.

I need a knife that won't pull my shorts down, yet retains an edge.

Am I alone with these needs?
 
SharpCdn - The original Endura had Gin-1 in the blade. Gin-1 will hold an edge better than AUS-8, but won't get quite as sharp. The new Endura (metal left/right clip) has ATS-55 in the blade. Gets sharp, stays sharp longer than Gin-1 or AUS-8, but not as good in corrosion resistance.

The Military is a "big" knife. The Endura is about as large as a knife as you can carry without attracting undue attention when using it. (Even the Endura will sometimes get stares).

The Endura that you currently have is 78 gms. The Military is 110 gms. Not nearly "twice as heavy" but it is a lot of knife, especially in CPM-440V. It also cost twice as much as an Endura.
sal
 
SharpCdn, I have the new Endura and Delica with ATS55 steel. I doubt that you will need to worry about it not holding an edge well. However, there is an alternative. Contact Mike or Spark and see if they have any Blue Natives left. They are in CPM440V and they are magnificent. Also sharp as He**, as my finger will attest.

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Walk in the Light,
Hugh
 
I find the ATS-55 gets and stays sharp for a long time. Sal is right, it does have a little less corrosion resistance than Gin-1 or AUS-8, so depending on where you swim with it, you may keep that in mind.
Also, you may want to test the new metal clips. If you wear them on trunks, they may be more abrasive, as the handles are now patterned on both sides. The Native may not have that problem as its grip pattern in the handle is less abrasive.
Jim
 
I've had a longing for the Endura coming out in G10 handles... the Rookie is a little too short, the G10 police is ok but I want tip up carry! And I just wanted a standard lock back (no liner locks...)

So I'll happily sit and wait and see what rolls off the Spyderco production line next...

 
Thanks for the responses. I'm not concerned with corrosion, I take good care of my tools. I'm more concerned with a good edge. I am curious though, Does G-10 weigh more than Zytel? How much stronger is it? Does it have to be thicker? I'm interested in the same blade size, and blade shape the Endura has, but in as lightweight a package as technologically possible. I too have no problem with the lockback/no liner design, especially if it brings the weight down. It is the weight combined with great cutting edge that sold me on the funky looking Endura in the first place, I'm just wondering if it is possible when I replace it ,to take a step up. I don't mind spending big bucks on a knife I will use everyday. I'm also curious about the thickness of the Military, and this Native. The thickness is also a factor for me.

Sal, I was wondering, now that you have production on this continent. Would you ever consider a custom shop, just for freaks like me who are always after what never exists. But are willing to pay big bucks to have what we want.
 
From Spyderco's catalogue: "G-10 is an epoxy-filled woven "E" glass compositereinforced with glass fiber that provides exceptional strength and resistance in extreme conditions." I have 2 G-10 Spydies, the Military and the Blue Native. The scales are very light and are not bulky. The Blue Native rides easily in my pocket and is faster out than an Endura98 as the texturing on the scales is not as rough.

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Walk in the Light,
Hugh
 
SharpCdn - A custom shop is under consideration, but not possible at this time.

Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon (FRN) is awsome stuff. G-10 is even more awesome, but more expensive.
sal
 
Hi SharpCdn!

What do you mean when you say:"I'll even swim with my endura".Does that mean you take you knive actually in the water? How do you treat it afterwards? Did you had no problems with rust? Do you mean freshwater or saltwater? TIA
red
 
Red Mag,

I do alot of fresh water canoeing, and I love the knife because I don't like to wear a belt on my shorts, and I'm constantly in and out of the water. I live nowhere near any salt water, so it is strictly fresh water. I usually just dry it off, if I remember. I am always cleaning it, because I am always using it. For everything from whittling, cutting fruit, spreading peanut butter, opening packages etc...

The first one I had I had for about seven years before I finally sent it back for the lock to be fixed, and it was in terrific condition, not a speck of corrosion anywhere. I have a feeling that the lock failure may have been due to my own use of the blade, it was my first Spyderco, and I would spent hours flicking the thing out as fast as I could. I'm sure that the striking of the steel on steel every time I flicked it must have taken its toll on the lock eventually.

I've had the replacement for 2 or 3 years now, and it is in great shape too. Every time I sharpen it, I also wipe all the metal parts down with a light oil, and add a drop to the pivot. That is all that I do as far as maintainance. And I only flick it open as fast as I need it now.

I suppose if I were using it in salt water it would require more attention.
 
How about a Starmate? The weight is almost the same as the Military, but the size overall is the same as the Endura. Both 3.3/4" blade length and both 8 11/16 in length overall, plus it has the CPM440V that you want.

Seems like the only clear choice....
Danelle
 
djo62,

You know, I have been looking around at the Spyderco new products page and saw the Starmate, it does look like the natural choice. It looks really nice, but I can't seem to find anywhere that has it. Do you own one? Where can I get one? How much?
 
own one? who djo62?

she has ALL of um..

(or at least easy access, hehe)


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'Till next time,
Rich the kite guy
 
SharpCdn,

djo62 works at/for Spyderco. Lots of information, lots of access, lots of toys. Very nice person as well. She takes very good care of the forumites.

Her suggestion on the Starmate sounds like a good one, unless you don't like linerlocks (it is).

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Work hard, play hard, live long.
Outlaw_Dogboy

 
Thank you all for taking the time to respond.

I will take your advice. I've never used a liner lock knife but I'm willing to give one a shot. Now I hope I can find a Starmate.

It is really nice that we can get a response directly from the VP of Spyderco on any ideas or misconceptions that we may express. This forum is the best!
 
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