Military/Endura -- which plain/which serrated?

[Carl Jacobsen]

I find myself mulling over the following "dilemma", and am interested in other viewpoints:

I'd like to have an Endura and a Military. I'd like to end up with one plain edge and one toothy. I'm not sure which knife should have which edge. I'd like to manage to resist the arguments that I should get one each of all four possible knives. I can see that there are numerous valid philosophical and practical arguments to be made for any of the knives...

The serrated Endura seems to be the canonical Spyderco cutting tool, replete with their SpyderEdge teeth. On the other hand, the plain edge model is likely what Joe Talmadge had in mind in his oft-quoted statement to the effect that "after the Delica/Endura, all other folders are a case of diminishing returns"; and it's certainly easier to sharpen in a variety of ways...

On the Military front, serrations would appear to be the intended edge format for this "no task too tough", "take on all comers" flagship of the Spyderco line, and understandably so: serrations allow the knife to make quick (if not necessarily clean and pretty) work of any cutting task. On the other hand, the thought of the slicing potential of that all that smooth belly backed by that giant wedge of flat ground 440V sounds hard to pass up...

So, one scenario has a serrated Military as a no-compromises matter separator for most any tough tasks with a plain-edge Endura to handle whatever plain-edge-necessary tasks are left over, while the other scenario has a less expensive serrated Endura as a "beater" knife for messy tasks, saving the plain edge Military for more prestigious tasks...

Or maybe you have an entirely different take on things... Any opinions?

Thanks!
-- Carl

P.S. The fact that I picked up a very nice serrated Endura from Chai Cutlery at the show last Sunday doesn't mean I've decided one way or the other, it just means I wanted a serrated Endura right then. I reserve the right to "hide" the aforementioned Endura and still buy one each Endura and Military

P.P.S. Am I the only one who wants to see a flat ground, 70/30 serrated Endura with a dark purple Zytel handle?

[This message has been edited by Carl Jacobsen (edited 12 October 1999).]

 

[Ewok]

Am I the only one who wants to see a flat ground, 70/30 serrated Endura with a dark purple Zytel handle?

I'll take one! Especially if it has the integral clip (that everybody except me hates).
<font color = #aa1111ff size=99>Endura</font>

 

[Scarman]

I would go with the Military in the plain edge and the Endura in the serration.


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The greatest thought that has ever entered my mind is that one day I will have to stand before a Holy God and give an account of my life.
*Daniel Webster

Rev 20:12

 

[Steve B.]

Nope, you`re not alone. I`d buy one in a heartbeat. (Anything other than black!)

 

[CUTIGER 3]

It's been said before but, I would go with the Military in the plain edge and the Endura in the serration.

 

[Paul Davidson]

I agree, Military in plain edge and Endura with serrations. If you are the type to use serrations more than plain edges I would reverse the choice.
Paul

 

[cerulean]

Hmm...This is a very interesting question. I was actually thinking about posting this question myself a couple of days ago, as I am in the same boat as you.

One thing that might be considered is the type of serrations on each knife. I understand that the Military has more shallow serrations; a design dictated by the steel used. Also, the Military is meant to take a beating, but I'm not sure that I'm ready to give a beating to such an expensive knife. Perhaps the plain edge Military and serrated Endura is the way to go after all.