Selection Advice

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DMR79

Joined
Nov 23, 2009
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I put a post up in the general section looking for some advice on a new EDC knife, but I would like some more brand specific info from users. I am looking into the following four knives. The input I'm looking for from those of you with Spyderco experience is in reference to the following questions. Endura vs Delica? Wave vs Non Wave? Combo vs Plain Edge. I currently carry a Kershaw Blackout and like it, but it's not the knife I'm happy with totally. Also what are your thoughts on the Native as an EDC vs the Endure, or Delica? I had a Native a couple of years back I got from Walmart, I loved the way it felt in my hand, but had issues with the tip grabbing in my pocket so I returned it, they did not have another so I just went back to my Kershaw. Also as I said in my other post, I'm open to other model suggestions so please feel free to provide input if you want to other than the questions I posed.


-Spyderco Delica 4th Generation with 2-7/8" w/ Wave Hook

-Spyderco Endura 4th Generation with 3.8" w/ Wave Hook

-Spyderco Native with 3-1/8" S30V, Black Handle (no wave, but feels nice in my hand & looks good)

-Emerson CQC7 Wave Tanto Point 3.375" Black Combo Edge Blade
 
First of all, welcome to the boards, DMR79. :thumbup:

The wave feature is designed for self-defense and the "tacti-coolness" factor. If you are seriously considering this knife as a self-defense item, then I would recommend the Endura 4 with the wave feature. That knife has extra reach, great ergonomics (that are typical with Spyderco) and a nice saber grind (superior to a chisel grind, IMO). Additionally, it is significantly cheaper than the Emerson.

If you want an EDC, however, I would consider a knife in the 3 inch range. The Delica 4 fits nicely, as does the Native 3. Again, if defense is an issue, I would recommend the D4 with the wave feature. If comfort and price is an issue, I would recommend the Native 3. In my experience, Spyderco's CPM S30V is superior to VG10. It's good to keep that in mind if you're going to put the knife to hard use.

For me, an EDC is all about comfort and utility. I'm not all that preoccupied with tactical blades that can be used for self defense. The legal repercussions, at least where I am, are harsh even when you rightfully protect yourself. My choice for an EDC is the Spyderco UKPK. It's an excellent knife that has the best ergonomics I've ever encountered. It truly "fits the hand like a glove." It has full G10 scales (very strong and grippy), CPM S30V steel and a nice, low-riding wire clip. It's downsides are its price and lack of a lock (it is a slip joint knife). The lock is really a non-issue because of the strength of the spring, w/ half-stop and the deep finger choil that prevents accidental injury during use. If you can afford it, I would recommend a UKPK (or if a lock is an absolute must, it's brother - the Caly 3).

Hope that helps. :)
 
+1 on everything D1omedes said.

Personally I don't care for the wave feature, but to each his own.

Endura vs. Delica: It all depends on what size knife you are comfortable carrying as an edc. They are both great knives. I have several Enduras and a Pacific Salt, which is the same size as the old Endura 3 but with H1 steel, but I edc a Delica most of the time. I think the Delica is just about perfect as a everyday general purpose knife. The Endura is just a little bigger than I normally want to carry unless I have a specific use for it.

I also have a Native w/ s30v. It's a great knife, very good ergonomics, and holds a great edge. It's a good edc knife and I sometimes carry it, but the blade shape isn't as sheeple friendly as the Delica's.

I don't have a UKPK, but I do have a Caly 3 and it is very classy, with the best ergos of any knife I have, with a FFG blade that is a master slicer, but it does cost about twice what the Delica costs.

I think you'll like any of the knives you listed, and if you are like the rest of us you will probably end up getting all of them eventually.
 
Endura vs Delica?
For EDC, either are remarkably suitable. The Endura, while my favorite of the two, is much larger especially when open. It slimness and light weight make it very carryable for a knife of that length, but is much less discreet than the Delica.

Wave vs Non Wave?
I have an E4W and I love it, but again for EDC, the knife is more versatile without it. That being said, there are many fans of the Wave feature for EDC. Since a Spyderco is very easy to open one-handed anyway, I have not found the advantage of the Wave for EDC purposes.

Combo vs Plain Edge?
Plain. I have a CE Endura 4 that I picked up cheap, but I wish it were a plain edge. This is an eternal debate among knife knuts that we will not resolve today. One perspective that I tend to agree with is that Combo Edge ("CE") is not enough of either edge to be useful - full PE or full SpyderEdge is better. I have not been pleased with the performance of some other serrations (Kershaw, CRKT, Victorinox) but Spyderco serrations are excellent.

Before I got back into knives, I carried a CE Gerber Gator at work (ski lift supervisor '98- '01). I really liked the CE for cutting barrier ribbon, frozen rope, crusty old duct tape, rubber hose, webbing, heavy vinyl, etc, but now that I can appreciate and maintain a sharp edge, CE is not necessary IMHO. Now that I think of it, if I was doing that job today, I would probably look for a sturdy full serrated knife.

However, that was a somewhat specialized work environment. We're talking about EDC. IMHO, CE gets in the way of "normal" EDC tasks like field dressing an apple, opening clamshell packs, etc.

You say you're open to other suggestions, but man, there are a LOT of other EDC choices just from Spyderco alone. You've already nailed one of the key intangibles that cannot be gained from the internet: the Native feels good in your hand. That alone is reason enough to get another one. Enduras and Delicas are much slimmer in the hand than the Native. I don't know what the exposed point issue was, but perhaps a different specimen would not do this.

Also, what are you dissatisfied about with your Blackout? Edge retention? Carry comfort? Blade shape? Size?
 
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if your looking for a tactical/hard use knife I'd go for the Emerson

if your just looking for light utility i think the spydercos would suit you bit better.
 
I've got an E4W and the S30V Native. Both are great EDC's. However, I'm looking to get the D4 without a wave for my new EDC. Both knives I have now are very carriable, but legally in the city I spend most of my time the D4 is within length laws for a knife that is concealed. Now, if I could get a S30V D4, I'd be in heaven!
 
Thanks for all your input so far, I'm going to keep looking and see if I can narrow down my choices. Some of the points brought up are the same ones that made me start this thread. My gut says I would be pretty happy with a Delica, or an Endura since they get so many great reviews. It's just the size difference I need to decide on, as well as wave vs non wave and edge profile (most likely plain). I also found this knife Paramilitary Model Plain Edge CPM S30V Blade G10 Handle (also like the PE black blade). It looks like a great answer to what I have been looking for. What are your thoughts? Is it worth the price difference? I started this search for a new EDC thinking I wanted an auto Benchmade so the cost is pretty much inline on what I was originally thinking about spending. After looking into it more and researching I realized that a Benchmade auto might not be the best answer for a versatile EDC, like one of the knives I listed would be.
 
tradja said:
Also, what are you dissatisfied about with your Blackout? Edge retention? Carry comfort? Blade shape? Size?
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Edge retention, the serrations bend easily, the tip bends easily (I don't pry stuff with it), overall ergonomics, it feels nice, but it does not feel like a knife you say wow about. Also the blade shape and design of the Spyderco seems to be more appealing/better designed to me and they so many great reviews.
 
Paramilitary is a great edc choice, a little more pricey, but better fit and finish than the delica/endura. Also full flat grind is great.

Spyderco has many great edc choices, you gotta find the one/ ones for you
 
DMR79 said:
Edge retention, the serrations bend easily, the tip bends easily (I don't pry stuff with it), overall ergonomics, it feels nice, but it does not feel like a knife you say wow about. Also the blade shape and design of the Spyderco seems to be more appealing/better designed to me and they so many great reviews.
Click to expand...

While Kershaw makes many fine knives at all price points, you will find that the steel performance of any of your listed choices (VG10, S30V) will exceed the 440A in your Blackout.

That being said, bending the tip on a Blackout takes some vigorous use. The tip shape and grind of the Endura 4 and Delica 4 is more robust than the Native.

As far as "wow" factor, ctk123 hit it on the head that the fit and finish (i.e. craftsmanship) on the Para is excellent. However, IMHO the subjective in-hand quality of the E4 and D4 is pretty good - they do not feel like $20 knives to me.

Regarding ergos, the E4 and D4 have a more similar "skinny stick" handle like your Blackout, generally speaking, than the broader fingergrooved handle of the Native.

If you like the broader handle shape of the Native and are tired of bent tips, have you seen the new Manix 2? Great price for an EDC, great quality, and plenty of "wow". No wave, but the ball lock allows quick one-handed deployment. Check out the YouTube videos of it.
 
i have no experience with the wave, or the first 2 models.

Love the s30v native though. Best feeling of the smaller spydercos in my hand, and carries great, also rather lightweight.
 
the paramilitary is worth the extra money. the only problem you might encounter is the pocket clip. but you can easily get an STR lowrider clip to solve that problem. i love my paramilitary the digi cam handle with the ffg blade is amazing. also the ergonomics are outstanding. you can't go wrong.
 
My pick would be the Endura Plain Edge, with the Delica PE a close second. I don't care much for the wave feature (even though I've not tried it) as the Endura opens plenty fast enough for me and I don't care for the look of the wave.

I have the Native S30v FRN PE and like it but find the clip digs right into my palm when I'm cutting.

Vinny
 
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