Spyderco Endura 4: Stainless or FRN?

I dont own an endura yet, are all of them hollow ground?

It seems the G-10 ones are flat ground, am I correct?
 
LeftytwoGuns said:
I dont own an endura yet, are all of them hollow ground?

It seems the G-10 ones are flat ground, am I correct?
Click to expand...

I was just going to bring that up:

FRNs: flat saber-ground
Stainless: hollow saber-ground
G10: flat-ground
 
The stainless is slicker and heavier and you can't adjust the pivot, but the one I just got locks up vault like with no up and down or side to side play. I have seen several complaints on the FRN version of up and down blade play, so even when you tighten the pivot, you still have up and down play. I don't believe its a big deal in actual use, but if you are lock up freak, you might want to look at the stainless version. The stainless version also has the classic Spyderco "look" like you see on the Police model ect. I love the old Spyderco plain stainless look. Just cosmetic though, eye of the beholder and all ;)
 
Just an FYI, I got a stainless Endura today, and I have a fair amount of up and down blade play....beautiful knife to look at, though....
 
I'm an Endura collector, and I have to agree that the FRN version is probably the "better overall" knife- and will make a better user. But the stainless versions are very nice as well. The scales do scratch easily, but after a lot of wear and use, the scratches build up and develop into a very beautiful finish. The stainless models are plenty tough for pretty much any "normal" use you could subject a knife to. It's just that the FRN models are tougher. As for the handles being "slippery"- I've yet to lose my grip on a stainless Spyderco. In the real world, where sentries don't need "deanimating" etc.- stainless handled knives work just fine. The only real drawbacks for me are the weight, and the fact that the stainless handles tend to attract more attention when the knife is in your pocket.

You really can't go wrong with either option.
 
Hi, I have the stainless endura and like it quite well. I do like the hollow sabre grind better than the flat sabre on the frn models. I also like the heft of the stainless.

Has anyone tried putting something like skateboard tape on the stainless handles?
This is something I thought about doing and just might.

Vinny
 
I think it'd be cool if the FRN E4 would come with the saber hollow grind like the SS model does. It would be a better cutter without sacrificing much or any blade strength, IMO.

Nevertheless, I still love the FRN E4/D4.
Jim
 
vba said:
Hi, I have the stainless endura and like it quite well. I do like the hollow sabre grind better than the flat sabre on the frn models. I also like the heft of the stainless.

Has anyone tried putting something like skateboard tape on the stainless handles?
This is something I thought about doing and just might.

Vinny
Click to expand...

I've had tape on SS Police and Native. Works, but looks ugly, and it's pretty abrasive (hands, pants).

I love the stainless Spydercos, but for edc I'd have the FRN version of any Spydie. Well, except for Dragonfly, it's so darned pretty in SS.

Concerning FRN toughness, it's mighty tough. Sorry for posting the same knife again, but here you can see what I mean:

endurawave.jpg


This Endura has been through hell, and guess what: no blade play. Excellent grip for any task, very grippy. The only problem with FRN is around the lanyard hole / clip attachment point. I used to EDC it in my back pocket, and I repeatedly sat on it, really grinding my ass hard on the 4WD seat, and the FRN material around the base of the clip eventually gave in. Some superglue fixed it, though, but FRN does have its limits. But then again, so does steel.

SS or FRN? Get both, carry the FRN :)
 
Jorski, thanks for the feedback on putting skateboard tape on stainless handle endura's. I hadn't thought through how tough this would be on pants. I still like my stainless endura anyway and do carry it alot.

Vinny
 
Other than for aesthetic potential like engraving or etching (like on Chris Reeves' custom Sebenza's), I never was fond of all-metal handles for the following reasons:

- Lighter; reduced weight is a + for EDC duties
- Lack of traction or slickness on the grip. Fluids or moisture might compromise grip
- Heat transfer or lack of insulation (same during winter as well)
- Staining/rusting/pitting kinds of messes-up the look (this is especially true for me here in the tropics)

I recommend getting the G10, flat-ground version!
 
I'm hot for the G-10 version. I've never owned this all-time classic but I saw a picture of one the other day and it struck me that its actually a shorter version of the Police 3 which I've been wanted to grab for some time.

Plus I prefer the foliage green scales. Got way too much black G-10.
 
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