Looking for a Spyderco that is similar to the Endura 4 but "nicer"

RustyIron said:
This is easy. You're looking for the Stretch 2 XL heavyweight cruwear.
It's almost identical in dimensions to the Endura, but it's NICER.
Generally I prefer the lightweight versions, but this G10 version its lovely and elegant.
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For that model, if the OP could find one, there is also the pretty version with the damascus and blue nishijin scales.

Stretch™ 2 XL Blue Nishijin Glass Fiber Damascus Sprint Run® - Spyderco, Inc.

This tour-de-force expression of the Stretch 2 XL showcases a blade crafted from D.P.S. 15 Damascus steel. This remarkable material consists of a VG-10 stainless steel core sandwiched between two outer billets of Damascus, each composed of 15 layers of for...
www.spyderco.com www.spyderco.com
 
I think one of the big points of the endura to me is the more useful flatter blade shape (my opinion). So keeping in that spirit and the good cutting performance of it, one nice spyderco I've seen you could look at is the Kapara. Honestly I'm not looking for more s30v personally, but a k390/15v Kapara would be a instant buy for me. It also gets rid of the blade waste of finger choil
 
shorp_noof said:
Dang, that's a heartthrob. I've seen it before but I didn't realize how long it is. I usually like em with some curve, but I've never had a straight one before. I like how long and slim that one is, I bet it would feel good in the pocket.
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It’s an awesome knife with a wicked cutting hollow ground blade!
 
The OP expressed the M2 handle was a bit long. Regrinding a perfectly good M2 certainly won’t fix that.

So many models to choose from, it would be nice if OP had the opportunity to visit a knife shop that has a variety to compare.

There are ways to draw/open a knife that does not scare most folks, and you can always use a pinch grip on the blade to conceal part of it if need be.
 
BTW, Aramis scales make the Military about a quarter inch shorter (middle below, Stretch 2XL on the right).

i-q7wpfTw-X2.jpg


The Pakkawood Endura is gorgeous, on the right below:

i-MLkfhR2-X2.jpg
 
I was going to post almost exactly what ferider ferider said above. The Pakkawood Endura if you just love the Endura and want to stick with that model or upgrade to a Stretch II or Stretch XL for a similar size knife.

Personally the Stretch (straight spine versions) are in my top 5 favorite Spyderco designs. The others being the Native 5, Manix II, Delica, and Millitary.

Although I believe that someone said it is, I can't see the Millie 2 being scary or anymore so than the Endura. But some people gasp at any knife they see like it offends them.
 
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ferider said:
Well, you’re in Canada so rules are different :)
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My point is that even if that is his perspective, it doesn't mean others won't or don't see it that way too.

beeinak said:
The OP expressed the M2 handle was a bit long. Regrinding a perfectly good M2 certainly won’t fix that.
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Of course it will, if you grind some off the handle, as I did in the pic I posted.
 
David Mary said:
My point is that even if that is his perspective, it doesn't mean others won't or don't see it that way too.



Of course it will, if you grind some off the handle, as I did in the pic I posted.
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Maybe he would like to have a warranty.
David Mary said:
You could get a Military 2 and have someone regrind it, shorten and reshape the blade.
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Once again, I said re-grinding a blade will not change the handle size. Nothing stated in your post about changing the size of the handle.
 
sgt1372 said:
The thing about Spyderco is that they've made a lot of different knife models over the years & none of them are exactly the same (which makes Spydies so collectable) but also makes deciding which model is most like the Endura but "nicer" is a highly arbitrary matter.

But, I just went thru my entire 140+ Spydie folder collection and I came up with the following list of knives that I think are most like the Endura in terms of blade shape & size but also "nicer."

Here's a picture of the knives (which are stacked below a Gen 1 Endura FRN which is the only version of the Endura that I own) that I think qualify for consideration:

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They are (from top to bottom) with the scale material (which is what makes them look nicer than the Endura IMO) noted in parentheses, as follows:

1) Gayle Bradley 2 (CF/G10 Laminate)
2) Advocate (Titanium)
3) Hungarian (Polished G10)
4) Pattada (Buffed G10)
5) JD Smith (Micarta)
6) Calypso (Micarta)

I like them all but the one that I think best fits the requirements is the Gayle Bradley 2 but that's just my personal opinion. It is also the only knife in the list that is still in production & available to buy direct from Spyderco & its dealers.

The rest are now only available in the secondary market & most of them are very hard to find.

The Calypso & JD Smith are the original micarta versions & are not the later sprint G10 versions of those knives. The Calpyso with its 4" blade is probably "too big" for the OP but I included it just the same because I think it's pretty & not as scary as the Millie. 😉

I did NOT include any Spydie w/a FRN or unpolished/buffed G10 scales because none of them IMO would look "nicer" than an Endura w/similiar scales on it. This includes the Opus & Stretch. Nor did I include any knives with a blade with a shape significantly dissimilar to the drop point on the Endura, which includes knives like the Swayback & Kapara.

Nothing against those knives but they didn't seem to fit the OP's requirements for a knife that is like the Endura but "nicer." Arguably, this should also exclude the JD Smith too but I included them just the same because I think that it looks so "nice." :cool:
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Nice collection! I think any of those would work!
 
ferider said:
Pakkawood Endura (much nicer, and not just the scales) or Stretch 2XL in Cruwear.

That being said it’s silly to think the Military is “more scary” than the Endura. That’s you, not people watching you.
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It's only a small difference in dimensions, but in person the difference is real. Also my Endura is baby blue so it's cute, which is the opposite of scary.
 
It's funny but while I collect Millies, I seldom carry one because I think it's "too big."

On the other hand, I'll carry a Police all day w/o thought because it's slimmer & fits better in my pocket. The Native Chief is in between the Millie & Police but also seldom gets carried because it's just a little "too big" IMO for that.

On the other hand, I've carried a K2 & thought nothing of it because of it's slim profile.

So, what's most important to me for an EDC is NOT the overall size but the thickness of the knife & smoothness of the scales that matters most to me. 🤷‍♂️

BTW, I do not consider the Millie or any other large knife to be inherently "scary" & what others think doesn't matter to me. 😉
 
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sgt1372 said:
On the other hand, I've carried a K2 & thought nothing of it because of it's slim profile.
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Had to search what a K2 was and that's a big one. I agree the thinness of the police is part of many things that makes it so great. Even a native chief lightweight doesn't feel like it carries as well only being slightly wider. And when tip up the blade hump of the police is further down in your pocket which basically makes it no more difficult to get your hand past the pocket opening than a knife without a hump.

The endura is the same width as the police, isn't it? And if I remember correctly the delica even thinner? The frn endura is about as good as it gets for the OP. As soon as you can convince yourself Spyderco's textured frn is premium the happier you will be. I don't think that I have ever dropped a knife that has the bidirectional texturing, which must mean something.
 
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