Kershaw Whirlwind or Spydie Endura as EDC?

M

mudthang

Joined
Oct 24, 2001
Messages
13
Trying to resolve two concerns.

1. I know that the blade you choose for EDC is incredibly personal and that purchase price is often a factor when considering.
For some time I've used a Kershaw Whirlwind for EDC and actually bought it when I went shopping for a blade with my partner.
In her smaller hand this Kershaw is comfortable and the speed-assist is great when you're feeling stressed.
But in my larger hand the blade feels weird and I keep worrying about the grip and whether (when it comes down to an edged encounter) my hand's gonna slide down or up on to the blade.
My other frequent EDC is often a Spyderco Endura. I know many people have severe issues with Spyderco but this blade is an old friend and feels good in my hand.

In my country of abode some of the most expensive production folders are Benchmade and Emerson. I wish I had the ready cash to pick up one of these beauties but for now I guess the Kershaw and Spydie are the knives most readily to hand.

Does it all come down to personal opinion?

2. Also have been looking at the CRKT Kasper folder. Does anybody have any quick views on this blade and its merits as an EDC?

Thanks for your comments
mud
 
I would go with the Endura..."Hands-down", since it has "better" steel (VG-10 of the FRN Endura VS: ATS-34 of the Kershaw), the Spydie Endura has no "gimicks" to wear-out or break (the "speed assist" can slow-down with time, AND the spring can fail), and the Endura has a reverseable pocket-clip, AND the ambidextrious opening "Spyde-hole", where the Kershaw has ONE thumb-stud.
 
Originally posted by mudthang
My other frequent EDC is often a Spyderco Endura. I know many people have severe issues with Spyderco but this blade is an old friend and feels good in my hand.
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What kind of issues? I have carried the Endura for several months now, and have no problems with it other than cutting myself last night opening a box.:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Edited for typos.
 
Both knives are great, but I would choose the Endura. Glockman has already covered the reasons why I would choose it over the Whirlwind.
 
I would choose the Endura. Glockman has already covered the reasons why I would choose it over the Whirlwind. :D
 
Endura definately. Glockman covered the bases about the knife itself.
The torsion bar in the speed safe will eventually break, and I know at least 4 scallion breaks because of regular wear and tear and probably for opening it for fun.
As for the Crawford/Kasper series from CRKT, The handle is excellent, I don't see how your hand is oging to be easily slip up and down. However, the locking surfaces on mine is quite polished and the lock up isn't holding up that well (maybe I've accidentaly got some lube on the tang or something), and it will fail the spinewack with a not so hard strike. Use the LAWKs all the time. I don't know how well the metal handle version holds up on the lock, but I suppose they're better.
 
Endura by a mile, for me. Who is it that has severe issues with Spyderco, and what are they? I haven't heard about this.

Joe
 
Issues with Spyderco - could this be that little controversy about online dealers not been allowed to advertise Spydie knives for less than Spyderco's MSRP? I think that little issue has been put to rest though...if it is that...

To the original concern though...Personally I would choose the Endura hands down like others here. Firstly I just don't trust the speedsafe clipped to my pocket. Paranoia keeps telling me that it's going to open and cut me. Also I do prefer the blade shape of the Endura.

The CRKT Kasper is a great knife too. I have the pro version and I like it a lot. Rides nice and low in the pocket and has a very comfortable handle. I wouldn't go for the Zytel handled version though. AUS 6M steel just does not please me. Toooooo soft.
 
I like the Kasper's design, but will join the chorus wishing for a better steel.

Between your two knives you know you want to carry that Endura, so just do it and leave the Kershaw to your lady friend.
 
Endura....no doubt about it!! ;)

This Spydie is one workhorse of a knife that WILL NOT let you down.

Good Luck

:D
 
i personally don't really like the endura but i've never heard of any issues with this knife as it's always been a solid performer, and imo the benchmades should be around the same price as the higher end spydercos
 
With the speed safe, you can push the thumb stud too fast and end up cutting yourself. Also as mnetioned, the endura is ambi whereas the kershaw is only one handed.
 
I've never use the kershaw but my endura was my first folder (not counting boy scout knives) it was a great knife amd I even used it to scare away some guy my friend gave the finger to once. Ahh high school stupidity :D
 
Originally posted by jjcoolay
With the speed safe, you can push the thumb stud too fast and end up cutting yourself. Also as mnetioned, the endura is ambi whereas the kershaw is only one handed.
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huh? i don't get what you are saying? ambi and one handed go hand in hand?
 
Great feedback people!
Thanks for the comments.

Regarding the Kershaw, we actually own two.
One for Mrs and one for myself. This was the first folder she really felt comfortable and the speed assist helped until she got the fast one-handed opening sorted.

Regarding issues around Spyderco, let me be straight.
I like Spydies, I've always liked them, hugely.

But some people move away from them because:
1. Blade shape. For people who prefer a bigger belly on a blade, such as the waved Emerson Commander, Spydies like the Endura/Delica species are just too dang pointy!

2. Serrations. Depending on what you wanna do. If your serrated blade is an EDC for self-defense (apart from cutting boxes right), when you're slicing through cloth/jacket/denim the fibres tend to bunch up between the teeth, meaning the follow up cut/slash is much more shallow. But a straight edge tends to cut and keep on cutting.

3. Lots of arguments about the lock back mechanism. How good is it? And on the smaller Spydies like the wonderfully humble Cricket, is the liner lock reliable every time?

4. Ergonomics and aesthetic sensibility. Some people just don't like the way they look and feel in the hand. No tangible reason. Just a gut feel.

My two cents worth.
And because those are South African cents, man that's a small piece of opinion!
 
Originally posted by mudthang

My two cents worth.
And because those are South African cents, man that's a small piece of opinion!
Click to expand...

LMAO!! know what you mean boet!!
 
I would also agree with the Endura because you said it feels better to you. If a knife does'nt feel good then you're not likely to carry it everyday, and then you will not have it when you really need it.

The only downside to the Endura that I can think of are:
The knife is rather large for some folk's tastes,
the actual cutting edge is not that long compared to the total blade length, and the handle to blade ratio could be better.
And some folks just don't like FRN (although I don't have a problem with FRN or Zytel).

Good luck,
Allen.
 
Thanks AllenC

Yep I really like the Endura, an old and faithful friend.

Re: some folks just don't like FRN (although I don't have a problem with FRN or Zytel).
Could someone explain to me what FRN is and what the gripe with it is when compared with Zytel?

Thanks people
mud
 
Endura, hands down. I have carried and used Enduras off and on since 1996 or 97 and have never had one fail me no matter how I used or abused it. The CRKT Kasper is a very nice design also, and the Pro version should be able to take a lot of abuse.
 
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