Spyderco Endura 4: Stainless or FRN?

I

Inverness11

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Jul 21, 2007
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I'm trying to decide. No place locally has these for me to fondle so I'll just be ordering and hoping for the best.

I usually like the hefty feel of steel, but the stainless version looks like it could slip easily, especially when wet. Also it's a few ounces heavier.

The FRN version would be lighter and looks like it would have a very positive grip. I'm worried it won't be as strong, will feel kind of flimsy and have blade play.

So people who have owned these, what's your advice?
 
I would get the FRN. I don't like Stainless because it does tend to be slicker and it will show a bunch of scratches. Actually better yet I would get the G10 Endura which comes with a full flat ground blade. :thumbup:
 
Get the FRN or G10, they have adjustable pivot screws.

The stainless is pinned construction.

Here are a couple of mine.

E4ZDP-189.jpg


E4Wserrated1.jpg
 
I would also get the FRN version. Its lighter and as others have said, adjustable. I like the looks of the Spyerdco stainless knives but they are not very practical for everyday use. I have sold off my stainless spydercos and purchased FRN or G-10 versions. Almost all of there popular knives can be had in any one of the three materials.
 
Oddly enough, the FRN version is probably tougher than the heavier stainless one. The blade pivot on the FRN model has a head, so it would have to tear through the FRN and steel liners before it loosens. The stainless ones have flush ground pins with maybe just a smidge of taper.

I severely loosened the blade on a Byrd of similar construction by flexing it in a cut. There's just not much more than a little friction holding any pinned knife together. To me the FRN version is superior in every way.
 
stainless offers really no advantages, other than aesthetics if you prefer that look.
 
The stainless knives look kool and I own a Spyderco Adventura...

C102_M.jpg


but for EDC and self-protection purposes the comments by others about it being slippery prohibit them for these purposes.
 
My vote goes to FRN, lighter, wont show wear like the SS and has much more grip. Plus it looks better IMO :D
 
I have a Byrd Cara Ditto in stainless and I don't like it. I also have the FRN and G10 versions and have to say G10 would be my first choice and FRN a close second. Stainless is slippy and it picks up dings.
 
I have an FRN Delica and have had no issues with handle flimsiness. The handle is very grippy without being abrasive.
 
FRN is strong, tough and of the few E4 FRN I have, none have horizontal blade play. A couple have very minor vertical blade play but that is normal for Spyderco's. I prefer the FRN version over the SS version.
 
Like the FRN Endura! Just Hate the "Sabre Ground Blade." Would love to see a FRN White Flat Ground blade! White! I know, I'm getting picky.
 
you could try the frn stretch2, its not quite as large as the endura but its flat ground and decent sized.
 
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