Spyderco Endura lockback failure

Hard to believe some people take the guy seriously.

I wonder how he tests chain saws...:)
 
I hope you aren't serious about sending that knife in to Sal. They do testing on locks and strength and failures. They don't need some idiot batonning a folder (locked mind you, if you needed to do that, unlock it for crying out loud) and then sending it in to be "improved"


The sad thing is that they probably get tons of abused and broken knives sent in. I doubt they need one more. How do you think we ended up with a rounded down point on the Endura. :(

If they "improved" the Endura by making it strong enough to survive that video then it wouldn't be an Endura anymore. :)
 
I have carried Enduras since 92 and have probably 7 or 8 of them because of the models in different steels I wanted to try. If I desire I can still EDC my first one that I bought back in 92. Other than the plastic pocket clip being loose ( why they went to metal clips) it is in perfect condition lock up, and alignment wise. This knife has been through the washer and dryer several times in a pocket, swam in oceans ( both) and the gulfs, great lakes, pools, and has been in desert, jungle and alpine environments.

It's done everything I required of it and still can. The lock back mechanism has become glassy smooth yet remains tight. I have never needed to baton a folder in my life. That kills quarter inch thick stock fixed blades when not done properly. Anyone can destroy a folder and most fixed blades. Because someone does is not, or should not be a reason to lose confidence in a product.

If batoning is in your future buy something appropriate ( called a Froe) and don't destroy tools using them for things they aren't designed to do. Using as a screwdriver or a pry bar are other things knives usually aren't designed for. I have seen people complain when they snap the blade prying and screw up the edge needing a regrind from trying the edge on a screw. Complaining about it doesn't mean they aren't incompetent and unrealistic users.

joe
 
I hope you aren't serious about sending that knife in to Sal. They do testing on locks and strength and failures. They don't need some idiot batonning a folder (locked mind you, if you needed to do that, unlock it for crying out loud) and then sending it in to be "improved"

Unless I got it wrong, the lock or tang didn't break and under static loading it held up fine. Only an impact (or was it released by thumb accidentally pressed into the lock?) caused it to release.

From design point of view, axis and liner/frame lock usually are more prone to this kind of slippage mainly because there's an angle in the interface of yhe lock/tang against the forces exerted, but not lockback. Assuming it's CNC-ed and the design transfer the load distributed properly to largest surface area possible & still allowing some wear. It's a close tolerance and slippage should only happen if the mating surface isn't flat but rounded, or at an angle.

I believe that Sal is interested in continuous improvement, so he might (or might not be) interested in analyzing it. Perhaps he has seen it before & improved it on Native 5? I don't know but curious.
 
Joe,

We cross posted. I totally agree on the 'right tool for the right job' and if ever need to baton a folder, do it with the lock not engaged.
In this case, it has happened, so I think no harm to learn from the mechanics of the failure (if it's not accidentally release as some mentioned)

Add my own note: the Endura Sabre Ground I got used that has less lock depth didn't fail my spine whack test. I didn't go crazy, if a knife spine can hit my arm and quite painful, that's my personal test. No slippage on mine is what I'm saying.
 
Last edited:
I've seen broken 9" fixed blades from batoning. You can use a wedge to split wood more efficiently than batoning anyway. Or use a folding Silky brand saw. There's no reason to baton with a folder.

Next I'm sure we'll see videos about slipjoints breaking while being batoned.
 
I have carried Enduras since 92 and have probably 7 or 8 of them because of the models in different steels I wanted to try. If I desire I can still EDC my first one that I bought back in 92. Other than the plastic pocket clip being loose ( why they went to metal clips) it is in perfect condition lock up, and alignment wise. This knife has been through the washer and dryer several times in a pocket, swam in oceans ( both) and the gulfs, great lakes, pools, and has been in desert, jungle and alpine environments.

It's done everything I required of it and still can. The lock back mechanism has become glassy smooth yet remains tight. I have never needed to baton a folder in my life. That kills quarter inch thick stock fixed blades when not done properly. Anyone can destroy a folder and most fixed blades. Because someone does is not, or should not be a reason to lose confidence in a product.

If batoning is in your future buy something appropriate ( called a Froe) and don't destroy tools using them for things they aren't designed to do. Using as a screwdriver or a pry bar are other things knives usually aren't designed for. I have seen people complain when they snap the blade prying and screw up the edge needing a regrind from trying the edge on a screw. Complaining about it doesn't mean they aren't incompetent and unrealistic users.

joe

Thanks for the excellent post. :thumbup:

I once used one of my cheaper non-Spydie folders to try and pick my old bedroom's lock after idiot me decided to lock the key inside. I was too rough with it and chipped out a significant part of that thin FFG blade. I don't blame the knife for failing a task it was never designed for. Instead of trying to blame the manufacturer, I decided to use my time sharpening the blade, and now it's perfectly usable.
 
It seems to me (and I could be wrong), the side loads on the blade caused the pivot to become loose. If he had tightened the pivot the blade would then lock up like new i.e.; it was not a lock failure. The constant pounding may have caused the lock to jump out of the lock interface or he actuated the release with his gloved hand.
 
I had an early Endura with the plastic clip, that I sent back due to lock failure. It was carried minimally and due to my less than stellar knowledge of folding knives and their basics, I had not realized that the lock did in fact perform like a slipjoint. Only after educating myself over a good twenty year period and then catching wind of this very issue did I check my Endura for failure. I sent it in and it was replaced with a new Endura in 2012 albeit one with full serrations which I removed. I have had zero issues with it and all of my other Spyderco products. Love the company and Sal is a great guy.
 
Back
Top