Need help picking an EDC

C

Chad.C

Joined
Jul 15, 2013
Messages
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I'm looking at the spyderco endura 4 or the benchmade griptilian. Which ever knife I chose I will use as an EDC and for hunting, camping, etc. What are the pros and cons of each knife. I'm also open to other suggestions.
 
Those two knives are staples of each company and great knives. Both would serve you well. Both have decent steel. So now you have to decide if you want a hole or studs and a midlock or axis lock. Little more blade length on the Spydie, but lighter.
While some gripe about the "hollow" feeling of the full size grip scale, it's strong and a little fatter for heavy tasks.

Good comparison, tough choice.
 
The Endura is flatter and has a full steel frame under the FRN handles. The back lock is not dependent on tiny springs for it's function. If you break yours, you can buy a kit to repair it. I'd recommend the full flat grind (FFG) version, it slices cardboard and whatnot like a lightsaber. The Endura is the best value in knives. You can spend more than $65 (cost of the Endura) but the Endura is about as good as a tool gets.

The Griptilian is too fat. The handles feel cheap. The Axis locks feels smooth and strong, but if your wire Omega springs break (do a search, it happens) your knife must be shipped back to Benchmade. The only advantage I can see is that it is made in the USA. Now that Benchmade is enforcing it's Minimum Advertised Pricing the Griptilian is a horrible value at whatever they cost now. If you can afford $100 for a knife you can step up to a ParaMilitary 2 or similar.
 
What I got so far in a nutshell

Spyderco Endura 4

Pros-
Longer Blade
Cheaper Price
Lighter

Cons-
Made in japan

Benchmade griptilian

Pros-
Made in America

Cons-
Cheap handles
Expensive

The endura 4 is winning
 
I prefer the griptilian, the quality between the two are the same but I find the girt iliac more comfortable in hand, I also prefer the 154cm blade steel over the vg10 that spyderco uses. The axis lock isnalso my favorite lock in the market.

A couple suggestions though, I'd recommend also looking at the Ritter griptilian and if you can find one the BM mini bone collector
 
Saying that the handles are cheap is outrageous, obviously the handles aren't actually cheap, but they may feel that way to others. I have a mini-grip and absolutely love it and would pick it over a delica/endura any day if i had to pick one or the other. So don't just make that a con, it's really a matter of opinion, but i suggest getting both of them in your hands before you pick one. But once again, just because one or two people say the handles feel cheap does not at all mean they are or that you will think they feel cheap. And yes it is more expensive, but i found mine on sale for $76 on BladeHQ, and even if i had paid full price i would say it would be worth it, easily. I honestly just can't tell you enough how much I love my mini-grip, so many other guys will tell you the same thing

And about the Endura, don't make made in Japan a con, it's only a bad thing if you really want to buy made in USA, some people actually prefer made in Japan Spyderco's to USA made ones
 
I can get behind the ergonomics of spyderco, but for some the fatter handle of the grip will be much more comfortable in extended use. So if that's a factor be sure to weigh it in. Of course this means it takes up more room in your pocket, if that matters.

I also prefer the spyderco's negative blade angle for utility. Having that tip angling down from your hand greatly improves mechanical efficiency for my Edc tasks. Yours may differ.
 
Chad.C said:
What I got so far in a nutshell

Spyderco Endura 4

Pros-
Longer Blade
Cheaper Price
Lighter

Cons-
Made in japan

Benchmade griptilian

Pros-
Made in America

Cons-
Cheap handles
Expensive

The endura 4 is winning
Click to expand...

I get tired of people complaining about Benchmade's pricing. Benchmade offers some services for your money that other companies do not offer. Benchmade will:

Sharpen your knife ($5.00 for shipping).
Replace the blade ($30.00). Spyderco doesn't do this.
Send you free pocket clips (up to 10 a year no questions asked). Spyderco doesn't always have the clip you need.
Replace scales or knife if you somehow destroy them. Spyderco doesn't do this either from what I'm told.
Offer a replacement knife if your knife is discontinued and they can't fix it. I don't believe Spyderco does this either.

As far as the Griptilian. For me it is too fat of a handle to EDC. Now, I like that full handle when it comes to extended work. The knife is tough, the steel is great, and with the services offered above it is a great knife.

I prefer USA made blades but Spyderco's Japanese line definitely offers a ton of value. I like them a lot as well. The Endura is a great blade. The handles feel just as cheap as the Benchmades (I honestly think Benchmade's feel a bit better). I think the Endura would carry better for EDC but I like thin knives to EDC.
 
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Why not look at a Manix 2 Lightweight? You'll get better steel than the Endura, better handle, better ergonomics and a much more one hand friendly locking mechanism. It's closer in size to the griptilian and they only run from about $60-70.
 
bluemetalchurch said:
I get tired of people whining about Benchmade's pricing. Benchmade offers some services for your money that other companies do not offer. Benchmade will:

Sharpen your knife ($5.00 for shipping).
Replace the blade ($30.00). Spyderco doesn't do this.
Send you free pocket clips (up to 10 a year no questions asked). Spyderco doesn't always have the clip you need.
Replace scales or knife if you somehow destroy them. Spyderco doesn't do this either from what I'm told.
Offer a replacement knife if your knife is discontinued and they can't fix it. I don't believe Spyderco does this either.

As far as the Griptilian. For me it is too fat of a handle to EDC. Now, I like that full handle when it comes to extended work. The knife is tough, the steel is great, and with the services offered above it is a great knife.

I prefer USA made blades but Spyderco's Japanese line definitely offers a ton of value. I like them a lot as well. The Endura is a great blade. The handles feel just as cheap as the Benchmades (I honestly think Benchmade's feel a bit better). I think the Endura would carry better for EDC but I like thin knives to EDC.
Click to expand...

Sorry If it sounded as if I was whining I was just making the statement that the griptilian was more expensive then the spyderco you made many good points but at this time in my life I just don't think its worth it to spend the extra money on the benchmade when I could get a knife that is as good if not better for quite a bit less money. Also Egnar the Manix 2 is sweet I think I might do a little more research on it and skyhorse that SAK whats the exact model called?
 
Endura!! The 550hg is a good Benchmade choice too, if you like the opening hole and thin hollow grind. But for the money, Endura!
 
Chad.C said:
Sorry If it sounded as if I was whining I was just making the statement that the griptilian was more expensive then the spyderco you made many good points but at this time in my life I just don't think its worth it to spend the extra money on the benchmade when I could get a knife that is as good if not better for quite a bit less money. Also Egnar the Manix 2 is sweet I think I might do a little more research on it and skyhorse that SAK whats the exact model called?
Click to expand...

I'm sorry for using the term whining. It just seems like everytime Benchmade is brought up so is the pricing. Both are really great choices. One doesn't have to be inferior for the other to be a good knife. :)
 
Given that the Endura in ZDP-189 is about the same price as the full size Grip I would be a take the Endura without hesitation due to the premium steel and better slicing geometry of the Endura.
 
bluemetalchurch said:
I'm sorry for using the term whining. It just seems like everytime Benchmade is brought up so is the pricing. Both are really great choices. One doesn't have to be inferior for the other to be a good knife. :)
Click to expand...

Well said I think we all know I will end up with both in the long run
 
I've owned both, own neither now. Didn't particularly care for the Grip, and I'd bought it before Benchmade got its panties in a twist with pricing.

The Grip and mini grip are fine knives, expecially in the case of those who are not really knife "people" but are looking for an American made, well made folder that isn't going to break the bank. The discerning knife buyer may find themselves wanting more than what the Grip/mini-grip has to offer. For those who have the money, the Grip/mini grip has many upgrades/customization options. (Ritter grip, different steel and scales.)

The Endura is a great knife. I like the VG-10 over the Grip's 154cm. And then there is the ZDP-189 and Aogami Super Blue versions, the waved endura, etc. I like the FRCP better than the grip's grivory. I owned a waved endura but gave it to my cousin as it just didn't have a place in my edc (received as a trade).

Grip:
Pros--American made (if that's important to you)
Easy to open and close one handed
Lots of "grip."
Lots of variety.
AXIS lock

Cons:
Price is the biggest. Its a lot to fork down for just the basic model. Upgrades in steel, scales, etc are costly. A grip can quickly end up being a $200+ knife when you start customizing.
AXIS lock is a strong lock, but the Omega springs have a well documented history of failing, but BM is generally happy to fix that.

Endura:

Pros:
Value--You get a LOT for what you pay for. The basic model comes with VG-10, which IMO outperforms the Grips 154cm by a decent marging.
Upgrading to better steel doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
Longer blade
Wave feature available
Full stainless liners

Cons:
Made in Japan (maybe a con for some)
Backlock--a tried and true design, but not the strongest out there (for those concerned about lock strength)
Lack of customization--unless you get a sprint run

Both companies have excellent warranties and customer service. If you are just looking at the basic models, I would take the Endura over the Grip. Might also look at the Stretch, its a little closer in size to the grip IIRC.

Good luck.
 
You mention hunting and camping. Check out the DPx HEST line of folders before you buy.

Or a SAK like Skyhorse recommended.
 
I'd go with the grip. BM's 154cm for me seems to far outperform the vg10. I can get a scary sharp edge on the vg10, but it my use, it dulls as easily as 8cr. The full size grips do feel a little hollow, compared to the mini, but it's a very tough knife. As far as pricing, I'm not seeing any difference in pricing. You can get mini's all day long 65-75 shipped and full sizes 75-85 shipped if you know where to look. I just picked up an OD green one this week to go with the mini. $85 shipped 😉
 
Both are great knives. I find myself carrying the Endura more than the Griptilian though due to the bulkiness of the Griptilian in pocket. On the flip side, though, the same thicker handles that make the Griptilian less comfortable to carry do make it that much more comfortable in hand when doing extended or heavy cutting. Also, the Axis lock is great.

Here are a couple of pics that show both an Endura and a Griptilian.

Endura_RAT1_Griptilian_Blur_open_800x498.jpg


Endura_RAT1_Griptilian_Blur_closed_800x461.jpg
 
What about a Spyderco Stretch? I prefer this one over endura due to about 3/4" less OAL while only losing 1/4" of blade. Better ergos IMO also. Like benchmades but never been a fan of the griptilian. Light hollow feeling handle makes it too off balance for me.
 
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