Should I get Spyderco Endura or Cold Steel Broken skull?

ceptor781 said:
Of the two I'd go with the BS. With a lock back style knife the triad beats Spyderco hands down and down l love Spyderco.
Click to expand...

Just not in ease of opening and closing its a stiffer lock and the lock bar needs to be depressed further then a regular back lock.

It's a stronger lock for sure but at the end of the day, it's still half a blade with a hole drilled in it. Also people forget that beating on therer folder will make the lock lose not matter how strong the lock is.

I just try to be honest with myself and admit I'm buying a knife to cut stuff not to use a an anchor to rappel off a cliff :P

But yes the BS is a good knife even at $90

I think the major turn off for me was not being as convenient to disengage the lock compared to the spydie with the David Boyle detent.

Also the BS need the pocket clip tuned since it has wayyyy too much tension out of the box.

It's really annoying to get in and out of your pocket when the clip is too tight.

Si just use some gutted 550 under the clip and pull it judiciously until the tension is just right

It is lighter, thinner and bigger but at the end of the day I would still rather rock the FFG ZDP189 Endura, much more wear resistance and also takes a killer edge.

Also the FRN doesn't tear up my pants.

Either is a good choice though man.
All preferences.
 
ourgon said:
Endura was bought via offical dealer in my area. That knives are just finished like junk. It wasn't only me, I've heard about 2 other Enduras with poor fit&finish and blade play. When I dissasembled mine it was making impression of some amateur work in garage by 12 old kid. And lock bar barely was locking the blade, so I did some work with diamond file to fix it. I had Police SS too, with big blade play.
Click to expand...

Nowhere near what I and many others have experienced. I'd be concerned about a spyderco dealer in central Europe.
 
True the triad is stiff at first but after a little use they break in and open/close nice and smooth. I treat my folders like folders so the strength of the lock is great but not the primary thing I like. It's the years of solid lock up that I enjoy. The standard lock back is just not for me.
 
Very easy choice for me: I purchased the Broken Skull. Better steel, better (G-10) handles, better lock. I don't prefer the logo on the blade but I bought the knife to use as a tool, not to photograph. I have beat up on mine in wet and dirty conditions and it is holding up like a rock.
 
To me, that's like asking "should i get a Mercedes or a Kia".

CS is goofy. Spyderco forever.
 
Lapedog said:
Sounds like you got a knock off. I don't know about your official dealer.
Click to expand...
I know what I've got. And it was bought in 2008.

craytab said:
Nowhere near what I and many others have experienced. I'd be concerned about a spyderco dealer in central Europe.
Click to expand...
Don't worry about that, we aren't third world. All knives are purchased by them from Spyderco directly.
 
Honestly I have never seen an Endura suffering from the symptoms you describe, not to say it's not possible. Just saying it is so rare I wouldn't let it affect one's decision.

To those of you saying Broken Skull, your joke has gone on long enough. Let the OP in on the fact that you are pulling his leg and do the right thing. Get the Endura!
 
The Endura is a fantastic knife. Out of all the knives I have ever owned I carry a Pacfic Salt (pretty much a salt version of an Endura) the most.
 
DeadboxHero said:
Just not in ease of opening and closing its a stiffer lock and the lock bar needs to be depressed further then a regular back lock.

It's a stronger lock for sure but at the end of the day, it's still half a blade with a hole drilled in it. Also people forget that beating on therer folder will make the lock lose not matter how strong the lock is.

I just try to be honest with myself and admit I'm buying a knife to cut stuff not to use a an anchor to rappel off a cliff :P

But yes the BS is a good knife even at $90

I think the major turn off for me was not being as convenient to disengage the lock compared to the spydie with the David Boyle detent.

Also the BS need the pocket clip tuned since it has wayyyy too much tension out of the box.

It's really annoying to get in and out of your pocket when the clip is too tight.

Si just use some gutted 550 under the clip and pull it judiciously until the tension is just right

It is lighter, thinner and bigger but at the end of the day I would still rather rock the FFG ZDP189 Endura, much more wear resistance and also takes a killer edge.

Also the FRN doesn't tear up my pants.

Either is a good choice though man.
All preferences.
Click to expand...

I agree with all this and the locks on the CS have problems on some. I had one that locked open and would not disengage at all. Just poor QC.

If I was to advice on a knife for someone who has had neither knife and is new to knives I would recommend the Spyderco 100% over a fickle "CS bone head crusher broken head bits knife".. If used in self defense an attorney would have a field day with this knife once they see the name.
 
Endura by a long shot, I've come around to quite a few Cold Steel knives (Code 4 is my fav.) but I find the BS to be so incredibly tacky, they should have just had Steve Austin listed in small print like most other companies do with the designer label. That is just my opinion though, I do like XHP over VG-10 and prefer G-10 to FRN but that billboard just kills it for me.
 
Lapedog said:
Honestly I have never seen an Endura suffering from the symptoms you describe, not to say it's not possible. Just saying it is so rare I wouldn't let it affect one's decision.

To those of you saying Broken Skull, your joke has gone on long enough. Let the OP in on the fact that you are pulling his leg and do the right thing. Get the Endura!
Click to expand...
Maybe Spyderco is sending to Europe lemons only? I've pics when it was brand new. here - http://imgur.com/a/mn8ln
 
craytab said:
On paper, the Broken Skull is the better value. I personally didn't notice much difference in the brief time I used Cts-xhp from CS, it was brief though. I've used lots of VG-10, much of it from Spyderco. I can't get past the big "Broken Skull" on the blade with a professional wrestler's name under it and CS as a company with their marketing is a bit embarrassing. If you can look past those things then go for it. I much prefer the Endura and Spyderco ingeneral. And over the Endura I prefer a Fully Serrated Pacific Salt. The Zome Endura's are pretty cool as well if you want some of that Tacticool goodness.

9Svx6qwh.jpg

AJam7Ohh.jpg
Click to expand...
How was the grind on the Xhp?
 
Try to find an Endura in a Sprint Run Steel if price isn't an option. I would still rather have the Spyderco though.
 
The broken skull is a nice knife other than the non springy clip and the blade logo. Mine was very stiff when new, but it has broken in and the blade drops freely closed and the lock bar has become easier to depress. I like the endura too, but I think the broken skull is a better value and for me a better knife. I think most people would be pleased with either one.
 
Well you have many sources of great info here but I will add what I can. I don't have the Broken Skull so I can't speak to that other than these generalities :
I really like CTS-XHP I have many Cold Steel knives with it that are users and it's fine, even great. Compared to VG-10 I can't say . . . I have little use with that steel. I would say VG-10 is more a kitchen cutlery steel and CTS-XHP can handle more abuse. Wanna cut through a car door ? I'd choose the latter. And no kidding . . . I do trim some steel (deburring and cleaning up jagged edges) with it.

Now the Spyderco Endura 4. I can heartily recommend that knife. You know / you had one. I have the ZDP-189. I love that stuff but it is vulnerable to chipping. Fine with me. I really like folders with generous handle length / part of the reason I bought an Endura.

My particular knife is as good as it could be. Blade drops, super solid lock up, easy enough to work the lock one handed. I didn't have to do anything to the knife when I got it. I just started using it. It sharpens great for me and holds an edge well. I would get another one if I lost it.

I didn't have to do anything to the [Spyderco] knife when I got it. I just started using it
Click to expand...
I can't say that about most all of my Cold Steel knives. I really like a lot of what they do but mostly I have to finish their work for them as far as how the locks work, and the finer points of fit and finish.

Some of my very favorite user work knives ARE COLD STEEL KNIVES once I overhaul them minorly or majorly. OK I've talked too long.

Be interesting to see which color you choose if you get a Broken Skull. Post and let us know.
 
Last edited:
Dlc coating and broken skull on blade looks ugly LOL, I am sure Broken skull cuts better as its thinner behind edge,and steel is better(I love cts-xhp-d2).I do not like vg10 on Spyderco endura and delica,but like ergos ,easy to carry and deploy factor.Wish endura was offered in s30v or cts-xhp ,then would be easy to pick one.
 
OP, better watch videos about both knives and then buy one of them. You've plenty of them on youtube.

DLC on CS isn't bad looking in real, worse is that slogan BROKEN SKULL, but it's not a big problem to sand it and made some acid stonewash or satin finish. Lock for sure when new is hard to close, as people say about detent on framelock often, it must "break in". Or owner must get used to it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top