Raven 2 or Endura?

F

Fuori

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Oct 13, 2014
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I've kicked around buying an Endura around for a while, but I like my Byrd Cara Cara so much I've always passed it over because they are similar sizes. I'm currently thinking of a Raven 2 in BD1, but the Endura 4 isn't too much more. I mostly use my knives for camping, hiking or in storage with my emergency prep kits. This wouldn't be for EDC because I like my Tenacious and Cara Cara a lot in those roles. I own a few Manix 2 LW in BD1, so I do already have a few in that steel.

Any thoughts on which I should buy based on what I already own and what I'd be using them for?
 
The Endura is hard to beat at that price. Disappears in the pocket, big knife in the hand.
 
Oh also I wear an Endura everywhere, it's an excellent knife and super manageable in the pocket.
 
My first spydies were Enduras. They served me very well. It would be hard for me to decide to replace them, because that BD1.....man, I want to try that steel.
 
The Endura will be very similar to your Cara Cara 2, especially if you get the FFG Endura. Is your Cara Cara G-10 or FRN. I have both, and I choose the Endura over the Cara Cara most of the time. I typically find the Endura more comfortable in hand due to it's higher level of refinement. The FRN Cara Cara's handle is more blocky at the edges. The Endura also feels a little lighter for it's length and it also seems a bit more slender overall (which I like). I usually carry the Cara Cara if I know that my knife is going to get a hard workout, but either can handle some serious usage.
 
Interesting responses. I own the Cara Cara 2, and really enjoy it. However, I haven't been tempted enough by the refinements to move to the Endura. I recently saw the Raven and Crow updates in BD1, and - not owning a Tenacious - have really wondered if the difference in steel was significant enough to pick a Raven over a Tenacious. (Or a Crow; whichever is almost the same size.)

So, anybody comment on BD1 vs. VG-10? I know VG-10 is a great knife steel, both for folders as well as kitchen cutlery. No experience with BD1. (Bonus points - not to threadjack, but if someone wanted to throw 8Cr13MoV in for comparison, too, that'd help me out. :D)
 
coffeemike said:
Interesting responses. I own the Cara Cara 2, and really enjoy it. However, I haven't been tempted enough by the refinements to move to the Endura. I recently saw the Raven and Crow updates in BD1, and - not owning a Tenacious - have really wondered if the difference in steel was significant enough to pick a Raven over a Tenacious. (Or a Crow; whichever is almost the same size.)

So, anybody comment on BD1 vs. VG-10? I know VG-10 is a great knife steel, both for folders as well as kitchen cutlery. No experience with BD1. (Bonus points - not to threadjack, but if someone wanted to throw 8Cr13MoV in for comparison, too, that'd help me out. :D)
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If I didn't own a Tenacious and had to pick I'd buy the Raven just because of rust resistance, but I use them outdoors. I love my Tenacious, but it has gotten rust spots, which aren't a big deal, but if something was close in price for my needs I'd jump to BD1 over 8Cr just because of that.
 
Since you have BD1 already, try VG10 for experience sake.
I agree mostly with Endura handle being more refined, rounded and not blocky. However, I prefer the overall ergonomic of the Cara Cara, with thicker butt and the longer middle section. So if it's Cara Cara overall shape but Endura refinement, it'll be the better of the two.
Some might suggest Endura 3 which is more similar to Cara Cara handle, but it's lacking the choil.
 
coffeemike said:
Interesting responses. I own the Cara Cara 2, and really enjoy it. However, I haven't been tempted enough by the refinements to move to the Endura. I recently saw the Raven and Crow updates in BD1, and - not owning a Tenacious - have really wondered if the difference in steel was significant enough to pick a Raven over a Tenacious. (Or a Crow; whichever is almost the same size.)

So, anybody comment on BD1 vs. VG-10? I know VG-10 is a great knife steel, both for folders as well as kitchen cutlery. No experience with BD1. (Bonus points - not to threadjack, but if someone wanted to throw 8Cr13MoV in for comparison, too, that'd help me out. :D)
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8cr13mov, bd1 and Aus 8 are all entry level steels so to speak, they sharpen easily, and are OK at holding an edge but not great. Vg10 would be above it before going up to say s35v and Elmax in edge retention. Vg10 is excellent overall. And the others mentioned are OK edc steels if you dont mind sharpening then up or touching them up more often. In relation to something more familiar they are similar to 440c which is super likeable as well. Some people go into fine detail about differences but in use it would be splitting hairs.
 
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I'd go with Endura for the better build quality(in general, for Spyderco, Japan>China) and better steel. And this is totally subjective and trivial, but I think the Endura looks better, and it's a "real" Spyderco. It may not matter to you, and you're supporting the company either way, but I personally would rather have the real thing. Again, that last is totally subjective, where the first couple of points are less so.
 
Lycosa said:
The Endura was my folder gate-way drug.
Get one.
rolf
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Actually my Enduras were my first Spydies as well, and they were/are extremely tough knives. I didn't touch on this above, but I beat the ever-living crap out of mine, broke both tips, scratched them all the hell. Used them as diggers and prybars to clear double and triple feeds from an M60 machine gun on numerous occassions! I can say for certain that the FRN and pivots held up to my abuse astonishingly well!! This was the main reason I came back to Spyderco after a long hiatus from them. I knew I was not a fan of the SE blades, but I also knew that no matter which Spydie I got to replace the Enduras, I could count on them to be tough and reliable.
 
If they made the Raven in VG10 this would be such an easy decision. I prefer that blade shape to the Endura.
 
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