Spyderco endura

D

dude92690

Joined
Jan 23, 2007
Messages
5
Hi, ive been lurking around bf for a while and a few months ago i got the crkt m16. Ive been using it for some pretty light work but i feel that i need a replacement. Ive been looking at the spyderco endura and also saw that it is highly recommended here. Before i get it i have a few questions.

1. the lock. I know that the endura has a lock back but i couldnt find that much detailed info. How exactly does it work? is it easy to engage/disengage? How does it compare to the lawks on my m16?

2. Is it fast and easy to open and close? I love the flipper on the m16, it makes opening so fast and easy and i want a knife that is easy to open.

3. maintenance. Are there any special things i should do to maintain it. Besides the usual keeping it dry, wiping it down, ect. Is it easy to take apart (if it doesnt void the warranty)?

4. The blade. Is it easy to sharpen? Does it maintain a edge? I dont have a "real" sharpener, i only have the lansky "dogbone" pocket sharpener. would this work?
 
Hey-
About 1. (the lock): the lock is very easy to engage, disengage, and is nicely smooth. The lock on the Endura is very strong and you won't be disappointed.

2. If you're looking for a VERY fast opening knife, search from a Spyderco Endura with the Emerson Wave. This catches on the edge of the pocket during the draw stroke, before you even need to touch the blade. It pretty much automatically comes open. On the regular, 14mm SpyderHole version it's not quite as fast as a flipper but opening it is still very fast and easy. If you turn the knife upside down in a reverse grip the blade can also be flicked open with a snap of the wrist.

3. The Endura is easy to maintain. The early models have pin construction, but the newest version, the 4, is relatively easy to dis- and re-assemble. The warranty and customer service of Spyderco is great, however I'm not sure if disassembling the knife would void it. Drop a question on dedicated Spyderco Forum for more details. That's the best place to be :D.

4. The blade is very easy to sharpen, and holds a great edge. This knife is vastly superior to any product CRKT makes. VG-10 is a good steel and resists corrosion well. If corrosion is a problem, get the Spyderco Salt (essentially an older-model Endura with a rust-proof H1 blade). The Lansky pocket sharpener isn't what I recommend, but I'd guess it'd suffice. Look at Spyderco's Tri-Angle Sharpmaker. For about $50, you get a ceramic, multi-step sharpener that'll last a life time. Just my opinion, though.

All in all, the Endura is probably the best knife (besides the Delica) you can get for the money. Once you get a Spyderco, it's hard to go back to anything else.

God bless you and America.

KATN, as always,

The Fourth
 
The Endura does open and close easily, with either hand (at least for me), but is probably slower than the Carson flipper. The Mid-back lock is easy to operate, but resists accidental operation both by length of travel and the Boye dent in the lockbar. It is also very strong, as in the handle will break before the lock, and with the nested, skeletonized steel liners under the FRN, that will take a lot of force.
Unless you live in a salt marsh, no special effort is required to take care of the Endura, other than the occasional check for pocket lint in the lock recess on the blade. It can be disassembled without voiding the warranty, but reassembly can be tricky, and "I can't get it back together right" is not covered under the warranty. I have never seen any real need to disassemble knives for cleaning anyway.
The blades are available in either VG-10 or ZDP-189. The standard VG-10 will hold an edge much better than AUS8 in my experience, without being unduly hard to sharpen. As long as you don't abuse it or let is get too dull, your sharpener should be adequate. The ZDP holds an edge even better than VG-10, but can be a bit more difficult to restore if you let it get dull.
Please note that all these comments are based on the new fourth generation Endura. The older models have different steels and cannot be easily disassembled.
Welcome to the forum! :D
 
I have owned several Delicas and Enduras over the years and will say that they are, quite simly, the best pocket knives around for the money. They have in my opinion, the best steels and the best ergonomics of any knife in that class but they may not be the prettiest in a traditional sense.

The lock, as with any lock-back requires a bit of attention to keep it clear oflint or it won't lock properly, but that is nothng that a toothbrush or a toothpick won't handle. If you buy a ZDP-189 bladed Endura, sharpening will be a matter of an occasional touch-up on the fine hones in a SharpMaker.
 
dude92690 said:
1. the lock. ... is it easy to engage/disengage?

2. Is it fast and easy to open and close?

3. maintenance. Are there any special things i should do to maintain it.

4. The blade. Is it easy to sharpen? Does it maintain a edge?
Click to expand...

1. Yes, very.

2. Yes, very.

3. Nope.

4. Yes and yes. And IF you don't like the edge you put on the knife, you can send it back to Spyderco for complimentary sharpening.

Bottom line ..... get an Endura. You'll love it.
 
try the for sale forums. you might find a better price or someone willing to deal, and you won't get f****d on the shipping prices.

here is an older one w/aus-8 and an integral clip:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=461820&highlight=endura

here is a newer one but it is pending. can't hurt to try:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=461555&highlight=endura

here are a few for trade. it's an older thread but seems still active:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=444570&highlight=endura

you could always put a wanted to buy post up in that forum.

or try knifeworks.com, newgraham.com, 1sks.com, etc. Ebay for new production knives can be hit or miss. you usually don't get a price you couldn't find elsewhere, and the shipping prices of a lot of auctions are ridiculously high.

I only use it in rare cases, although I get 95% of my knives here on bladeforums anyhow.

YMMV
Pete
 
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