Spyderco endura 4 or Spyderco resilience

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mattb1

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Mar 20, 2011
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I'm looking for a large self defense folder and am hesitating between the endura 4 and the resilience both by Spyderco. Blade steel isn't much of an issue because it will stictly be a defensive EDC blade and I'll carry a secondary smaller one for everyday cutting tasks. The resilience caught my eye because of it's price and size but the fact that the body of the blade doesn't taper leads me to believe that it's penetrating power won't be as strong as the endura's.
Any thoughts?
 
Well I know that the knife fighting expert Michael Janich swears by the waved Endura...
I'm not sure that it matters all that much, though.
 
Either knife would make a fine defensive folder - personally I prefer the Endura because of steel quality and type of lock.
 
I have both. You can't go too wrong either way.

The Resilience has a slightly longer blade. Phosphorus bushings, skeletonized liners, G-10, liner lock, etc. It's a well-built knife and great value for the money. 8Cr13MoV isn't my favorite steel but it gets the job done.

The Endura is one of Spyderco's best-selling folders for good reason. It's simply a sturdy, dependable knife. Can't go too wrong with VG-10 steel for everyday use. Personally I wish it had a liner lock. It's just my preference.

As long as money isn't a factor (and there's not that much difference) I'd probably go with the Endura.
 
I'd get a waved Endura. Oh wait I've already got one. :)

But I prefer my inside the waistband fixed blade over any folder.

A lot of people around here will tell you to not even think to use a knife in self defense. I agree for the most part, but not everyone can carry a handgun due to age, money, or laws. I might take a good can of mace over a knife blade though.
 
Take some classes like mercop's (just an example, based on his reasonable & logical approach). The lesson will help you decide which one.

Grip & retention is important, so if possible, handle both & test how each performs in various grip. If money is not a concern, get both, use it daily to get deeper understanding, take them in shower, try with wet & soapy hand on the grip.

As much as not wanting to ever use a knife for SD, when time calls for it, it better not fail.
 
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Endura- is one of the best all around knives . Good for most applications including sd.
I personally prefer the se version, but that's opening up another can of worms:).
 
I'd say the resilience because it's so much easier and more consistent to deploy the blade, assuming a non-waved endura anyway. I have personally found waves to NOT be the fastest way to deploy a knife in an SD situation since generally, clipped the way they are, the draw motion can move the knife out of the line between you and your opponent.

If you get good enough with flicking techniques, you can draw and stab in one linear motion (except for the rotation of your wrist). It's a bit of iaido for pocket knives...

I'd certainly take a para-2 or a RAM over either of them, however...
 
I don't trust the blade length + crappy linerlock of my Resilience versus the Endura 4 blade length with a backlock. I see the Resilence failing both catastrophically and in edge retention. Endura 4 = safer & better knife :thumbup: :)
 
cziv said:
I don't trust the blade length + crappy linerlock of my Resilience versus the Endura 4 blade length with a backlock. I see the Resilence failing both catastrophically and in edge retention. Endura 4 + safer & better knife :thumbup: :)
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I feel the opposite...I would never trust a lockback over a decently made liner lock. They're a lot harder to make right, and you can't easily visually inspect them.

As per edge retention, since this is strictly for SD and he'll be using another knife for EDC stuff, I don't think it would matter too much.

What's wrong with just a plain old fashioned griptillian tanto? I guess I should have suggested that too...
 
I have both but prefer the Resilience because you can swing it like a little sword because of it's longer blade. The extra reach makes a big difference IMO.

The closer you have to get in with your attacker, the more skill you need.
 
ToneGrail said:
I have both but prefer the Resilience because you can swing it like a little sword because of it's longer blade. The extra reach makes a big difference IMO.

The closer you have to get in with your attacker, the more skill you need.
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This is true my friend, because of my skill set, I EDC an Izula for cutting tasks & not fighting but I wouldn't feel under-knifed without it since my fingers or sword-hand easily penetrate soft areas of the body. :)
 
If your going to carry a smaller knife for general cutting chores then it really doesn't matter that what knife you carry for SD. As long as you can open it quickly and stick it in a bad guy.
If your concerned with lock strength go for a cold steel or demko triad lock knife.

Personally for me, if I was going to carry something besides a pistol for self defense, I would carry a screw driver.




Anyway, to answer your original question. I have edc'd both knives. I sold the FFG endura because it did not cut very well. I still carry the resilience quite often. I got rid of my Waved endura as well because I don't carry my folder in my front pocket.
 
ac1d0v3r1d3 said:
Personally for me, if I was going to carry something besides a pistol for self defense, I would carry a screw driver.
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That's just plain nasty, dude! Do you think you could make a case to the cops why you're strapped with big fat phillips head screwdriver? :eek:
 
Out of those 2 choices I would choose the Resilience hands down. It's a longer blade and plenty strong for a SD knife. However be sure you don't have a 4" length limit or it would be illegal to carry since it is slightly over 4" and you certainly don't wanna be involved in any kind of altercation possessing an illegal weapon.

I would personally carry a BM 710 for SD due to it having a near 4" blade and being a dream to carry.

I live in AR so I don have a length law but I visit TN a good bit and they have a 4" length law so I try to keep my purchases legal to carry in TN.
 
cziv said:
That's just plain nasty, dude! Do you think you could make a case to the cops why you're strapped with big fat phillips head screwdriver? :eek:
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I carry tools all the time (isn't that what a knife is?) The most used tool on my SAK is the screw driver. It only make sense to carry back ups for your most used tools right? :)

I'm a flat head kind of guy btw
 
Any lock can fail if not done right. I saw a threas (forgot where) of the tang snapped out making the Endura a slip joint, no longer a lock back. This is one of a million (?) as Spyderco is known for having tight QC. The example given as things to considr.

Some says the best SD knife is the one you use daily, because habit build over time of pulling out, opening & using it is important. Also the hand gets accustomed to the feel, impact pressure, etc. I'll try doing that too, although it means using small knife only when sheepies around ;)
 
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I have an Endura 4 that was given to me for Christmas. It's regularly cycled through my EDCs. I absolutely love it. It's light, fits in my pocket really well, stays nice and sharp and is big enough that I'm confident in its defensive capabilities and it locks up solid as a rock. I also find it very aesthetically pleasing. The blade shape is awesome and the handle compliments it very well. I'll just look at it for a while and admire it. I know that might be weird but I just love it.
 
I carry a Glock as my edc, but as far as a knife preference it would be Endura, Paramilitary, or Kershaw Blur Tanto for SD. :D
 
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