Spyderco Endura

Celery

Celery

Joined
Jun 14, 2001
Messages
128
Hi there!
I'm about to buy my first Spyderco and I think a Endura would be the perfect choice.... Before I have been using Gerbers Ez-out and I like it very much but now it's time to move on! :-)


I have a few questions about the spydie blade:


1.Should I choose a serrated / "half" serrated or an "regular" edge?


2.Is the serrated edge hard to sharpen? I use my knives almost every day, and they really serve as tools do!


Thats why I'm gonna cut my Gerbers some slack, it have served me so well! :-)

//Celery


[This message has been edited by Celery (edited 06-14-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Celery (edited 06-14-2001).]
 
Hehe. My first Spyderco was an Endura, though it was the old (better IMHO) model. Anyway, when I think of Spyderco I think of the spyder edge (and of course the "hole"). All of my Spydercos have been fully serrated with the exception of a plain blade harpy and a 50/50 ladybug. A plain blade is much easier to sharpen but serrated knives can usually cut even when fairly dull. If you're going to cut a lot of cardboard boxes I would go with the serrated blade. If you need to make precision cuts I would go with the plain blade.
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by CYA:
Hehe. My first Spyderco was an Endura, though it was the old (better IMHO) model. Anyway, when I think of Spyderco I think of the spyder edge (and of course the "hole"). All of my Spydercos have been fully serrated with the exception of a plain blade harpy and a 50/50 ladybug. A plain blade is much easier to sharpen but serrated knives can usually cut even when fairly dull. If you're going to cut a lot of cardboard boxes I would go with the serrated blade. If you need to make precision cuts I would go with the plain blade.</font>
Click to expand...

So a 50/50 plain/serrated would be the optimal solution then? :-)

Can you change the place for the clip on the Endura, in what end it is attached? Tip up or down?

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Linux : The right choice!
celery@iobox.fi


[This message has been edited by Celery (edited 06-14-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Celery (edited 06-14-2001).]
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Celery:
So a 50/50 plain/serrated would be the optimal solution then? :-)</font>
Click to expand...

Hmmm... I heard people say that the serrated part of a 50/50 is too small to be useful. I don't agree with this but I don't have much experience with 50/50's either. I find that the plain edge tip portion of a fully serrated spyderco is usually good enough for my purposes. I say go with the fully serrated endura. But I'm biased.
smile.gif


<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">
Can you change the place for the clip on the Endura, in what end it is attached? Tip up or down?

</font>
Click to expand...

Well, I've never owned or handled the new endura but I think you can change the clip position, for left and right handers? I also believe that the tip of the blade is pointing up when clipped.

 
Hi Celery, and welcome to BF.

I have the old fully serrated Endura, a '98 Delica, a new Delica, and a LadyBug. Some more info:

Love my old Endura. It's my "pool knife." No, not "playing pool," but "swimming pool." The G-2 stainless wears well in chlorine environments, whereas the new ATS-55 DOESN'T. Compared to my BM Ascent with steel clip, the all-plastic (or FRN, "fiberglass reinforced nylon")handle doesn't abrade my swim trunks as much. Also, the plastic clip works well with sweats and other thicker cloth material, but I never wear it clipped into my thin work pants since it has fallen out several times (fortunately in places I could retrieve it).

Since I have never sharpened my Endura, the serrations were for me. I can always SAW! (Soon as I learn my new Sharpmaker 204, I'll correct that blasphemy.) But if you like to cut coupons and articles, the serrations really don't work too well. Also, some "sheeple" are freaked out by serrations. A secretary I showed my cute little pink Delica to really drew in her breath when I opened it up and exposed HER SHARP LITTLE TEETH! (For some reason I anthropomorphize Spydies more than other brands, they definitely have genders and personalities of their own. When they are together I know they interact, although I have no proof of this. Fortunately, they haven't yet made any disturbing noises.)

Since Delicas are essentially three-quarter versions of Enduras, I can tell you about the metal clips: IMO, they are better for thin cloth material, although I have read about guys who scratch their car finish with them when they lean against their vehicles. They are indeed reversible, and both Endura and Delica are tip-up carry. The '98 version was the first metal clip design, and it was not reinforced enough so sometimes the clip may swivel a bit and tear up the surrounding border of FRN. That quickly happened to my pink Delica, so I don't carry her as much. The newer versions have a reinforced border which seems to work well (I've only had my blue Delica for a short time, so we will see). You can easily tell the newer versions because their lockback buttons are cut out a bit so you are less likely to unlock them when you are squeezing hard on the handle (although I've never had a problem with this, I believe it varies amongst individuals who have different hand sizes and shapes).

I really liked the all FRN versions, but I haven't lived with the new clip version enough to form an opinion yet. That's also why your old Gerber may still be a good knife for you--it might have uses it is better suited for than a new Spydie. I know I still like my old Gerber LST, even though I don't carry it much. But when I need a small, nonclip knife, it is there for me.

My blue Delica is plain edge as well, so it should cut coupons just fine, as well as appearing less threatening. If I want "threatening," I have my Sifu black T finish and my large CS Voyager! (Although my Sifu has been to the bagel table a couple times with no ill social effects.
smile.gif
)

Forgive the long post, but I just love my Spydie family!

And I have a Calypso Jr. on the way! My first micarta Spydie!

Celery, you really can't go wrong with any of these choices. Just avoid the '98s unless you will remove the clip, seldom use it, or just to collect them. You'll probably end up like me and start buying MORE. An truly addictive affliction.

Yers,
Karl

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"Celebrate the diversity of inclusive, self-esteem nurturing, multicultural weapons arts." Karl Spaulding, The Safety Guy

[This message has been edited by Safety Guy (edited 06-14-2001).]
 
Celery,

I think that the Endura will serve you very well. I suggest that you decide whether you want a serrated blade or a plain edge, based upon what you will usually be cutting with it; then choose either a fully serrated, or fully plain edged blade. This is what I have decided to do w/ future knive decisions. I believe that it's better and more effective to carry two knives (one serrated, one plain edge) than a combo. The combo edge often doesn't offer enough of each type of blade to be truly useful, I think.

Good luck, and enjoy! Let us know how it works for you.

Jeff/1911.

[This message has been edited by Jeff/1911 (edited 06-14-2001).]
 
The best wat to answer witch blade style is to do what i did buy all three!
Cant wait for the new flat grind endura.
Gary
 
Celery: If it were me, I'd go with the plain version (which I have and love). When a plain edge is sharp, I find it cuts damn near as well as the serrated for most things. And when it gets dull, that just gives me another excuse to pull out the crock sticks and get to work. Mainly though, I just favor the look of a plain-edged knife. Obviously that's a personal preference. I say factor in your preference and the type of work the knife will be doing and go from there. I can tell you one thing, no matter which you choose, you WON'T be disappointed with a Spyderco.
 
Gary,

FLAT GRIND ENDURA?????

Is this for real? Is it a wish, or have you heard that it's actually coming?

Jeff/1911.
 
The endura 98 is a killer knife, you'll like it a lot.

The plain versus serrated versus partially-serrated argument is a huge topic unto itself. I am solidly a plain-edge fan. If I want it to slice better, I leave the finish rough. Often, I polish the entire edge, then rough up the back where partial-serrations would be.

I dislike serrations and partial serrations, with the exception that they are the obvious choice for someone who isn't great at sharpening and doesn't want to learn. Note, that I am not not not saying that all people who like serrations are bad sharpeners -- there are times when serrations are a better choice regardless of how good you are at sharpening. I just think the plain edge is much more versatile across a broad range of uses.

The serrated edge is not hard to sharpen if you have a Sharpmaker.


Joe
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Jeff/1911:
Gary,

FLAT GRIND ENDURA?????

Is this for real? Is it a wish, or have you heard that it's actually coming?

Jeff/1911.</font>
Click to expand...

That does sound awesome! Well, if it's a full flat grind, I mean. If it's a sabre grind, then it's a yawner for me. For what I use my endura for, there's nothing a flat sabre grind will do that the current hollow grind won't do better. But a full flat grind, that's a different beast altogether!

Joe

 
Ok then, thx guys for the information!
smile.gif
It's nice to have found a place like this with people willing to share their information & thoughts!

But I still have som questions, so the clip is made of plastic on the newer versions of the Endura, will the clip last or does it break very easily? And if it's made of platic there is no way you can changing the direction of it either.... Right?
smile.gif


But I will still go with the Endura I think, my first thougt was the Military or the Police modell but they are far to expensive for me right now....
I'm just a poor student you see.... :-(

And I need a "big" folding knife, coz as I said before I'm used to the Gerber Ez-Out with a plain edge!
But it doesn't want to stay sharp for such a long time.... bad steel I guess!
Although Gerber is owned by Fiskars (a Finnish corporation) there days!
smile.gif


------------------
Linux : The right choice!
celery@iobox.fi
 
Celery:
The new Enduras all have metal clips. The plastic-clipped Enduras have been discontinued.

I personally prefer the fully-serrated Endura, as I use it to cut rough things like cardboard. I do have the plain edge and 50/50 Endura too (my 50/50 is an older, plastic-clipped version). I've also found that even for some light cutting, like cutting paper, etc., a serrated blade works fine if you don't saw with it...just push straight using one of the serration grooves.
Jim
 
James, ya beat me to the "clip review post!"

Yes, sometimes I can cut paper okay with serrations if I keep the sheet in one "groove." It would help if I sharpened my Endura, though! All in good time...

Happy knife hunting, Celery!

Karl
 
James:
Great that they have metal clips! I don't quite like the plastic ones!


Tomorrow (maybe) is the big day, that's when I buy me first Spydie....
smile.gif


I'll tell you all about it then!
smile.gif


See ya around and thanks again folks!

------------------
Linux : The right choice!
celery@iobox.fi


[This message has been edited by Celery (edited 06-14-2001).]
 
As you can see edge type is a personal choice for what you think is best for what you do.Me? I like to own a couple of 50/50 blades.I use them at work (firefighter) at play(hunter,camper,waterskiing,x country skiing, canoe)and around the house.I've had no trouble gutting deer,cutting rope,cardboard,food prep you name it with a 50/50 blade.

I think if you use a knife on the job the 50/50 is great,because you are not going to have a sharpener(or the time)to sharpenen it during the day and the serrations will still cut at the end of the day.My first construction job was working with sandblasters.I cut open 100 pound bags of sand and dumped them in the "pots"all day long.Slicing brown bags of sand dulls a knife fast,yet I still my have needed to cut a rope to tie down lines or rags.At that time a serrated(50/50) would have been a dream come true.

If all you do during the day is open your mail or cut fruit than fine you won't have to sharpen your knife for weeks or months.But for me when I use a knife hard all day I like some serrations for I know whatever comes along after I already used it hard I can still get it cut.

Why not try a 50/50,then if you don't like one of the edge types you can buy a full plain or serrated one.



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AKTI #000946
 
The Endura was my first Spyderco as well, it's the old model with the molded clip, and 50/50 edge. In my experience the serrated edges that are fully serrated, are easiest to sharpen, and the 50/50 the hardest on a 204. I prefer a serrated edge on my work knives only(LEO). RKBA!

[This message has been edited by Alan2112 (edited 06-18-2001).]
 
I would go with the fully serrated or the fully plain edge. Serrations are really easy to sharpen with a 204 Sharpmaker.

The 50/50 format has a number of plus points, but ultimatly does not offer enough of one type of edge to make it worth while IMHO. I own and carry 50/50 edge blades, but always wish I had a plain edge handy. If I know I will need serrations, I take my Endura serrated knife along. It does a stirling job!

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Wayne.
"To strive to seek to find and not to yield"
Tennyson
Ranger motto

A few useful details on UK laws and some nice reviews!
http://members.aol.com/knivesuk/
Certified steel snob!
 
Whatever you do, just don't get the 50/50 model.

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Johnathan Mitchell
 
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