Recon 1 vs Stainless Endura 4 SE - The work/beater knife showdown!

if you are going to get a ss endura you might as well go with the ss police instead of the endura, but its more for regular everday carry and lighter tasks while the recon is better suited for hard work and will not develop play after hard use due to the triad lock. the ss enudra/police is more like a gentlemans knife in my opinion even though they were designed for rescue and law enforcement
 
For several years a while back, the frn Endura was my outdoors work knife, alternating with a Griptilian. For the last few years my work knives have been the Recon 1, alternating with the Ultimate Hunter. The Cold Steels have lasted longer and seem more suited for hard use.

Two of my Enduras developed lock rock. When one was sent back to Spyderco for correction after a phone call to the company. It was returned to me with this message, ” Enjoy your well used knife”. No change in the back and forth lock rock.

My Recon 1, and UH, still lock up like a vault. With the build quality, knife steel, and ergonomics, for a relatively low price, the Recon 1 and UH are great values. With both, I was able to easily loosen the clip a bit by bending it very slightly with some needle nose pliers, while holding the upper part of the clip with my thumb. Now the clips work fine.

While I still have a warm place in my heart for the Endura, and for Sal, I know what the better knife is. Get the Recon 1.
 
Murdamooktemp said:
I’ve owned four Enduras and have never witnessed rough machining or poor fit and finish.
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Maybe I was unlucky, but I have a beautiful example of a Spyderco PM2 and I also had an Endura 4. You could definitely tell the difference, and the price gap between the 2 knives is not as obvious as it used to be... The PM2 had perfectly smooth steel in the opening hole and the Endura had machining marks (almost ripples? It wasn't very pretty). The PM2 had a nice smooth satin finish on the blade, and the Endura had more machine marks. It was almost like the Endura did not get a last pass on a sanding belt on something. The handle had sharp edges and plastic flashing on it. It was a functional knife, but it was not at all worth the asking price these days.
Also, wow I didnt even notice the OP was talking about a stainless handle Endura 😆 Oops! I cant speak to the SS handle, mine was plastic (which though cheap feeling, has great texture). I would say that I would not want a SS Endura since they are even more expensive! They also have no pivot adjustment and stainless handled knives are incredibly slick in the hand, bad for work use.
 
These days I'm carrying a Recon1 in my left pocket and a FRN Police 4 in my right pocket.
This has worked out remarkably well, both carry well without being intrusive when you sit.

If you want a serrated Endura, I'd suggest the Pacific Salt in H1. Much better steel, the thing is a chainsaw and won't rust.

A couple of other knives you might consider are the Native Chief and the Manix2 XL.

The Siren is also a great knife. I was carrrying one, but the wire clip got a flat tire. I'm going to get an aftermarket metal clip for it.
 
I'd go for the tanto recon 1, as it's hollow ground along most of the edge and cuts the best out of the recon lineup. Or, find an old hollow ground XHP Recon 1.

The k390 endura is a compelling package if, like me, you prefer tool steels to stainless steels.
 
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