Spyderco Endura4 Wave or Delica4 Wave?

HikingMano

HikingMano

Joined
Sep 2, 2008
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I'm carrying a Kersaw Leek right now, and it's served me well, but I'm looking to expand my horizons. I really want to try out an affordable spyderco for EDC (for right now, I also have my eyes on ZTs and BMs, so please don't post about those or others here). I've narrowed down my choice to Endura or Delica VG-10 Emerson openers. For those of you who have experience with BOTH, which do you prefer for EDC and why? I am thinking about getting the endura; is the extra 23mm in cutting edge on the endura worth it? Also, I'm usually partial to plain edge, but do you guys find the spyderco serrations useful? Of course, I would consider using either as a last-ditch weapon in a life-or-death situation so please feel free to share any opinions on that as well.

It might not be that difficult of a choice for some of you, but I'd like to hear the subjective opinions of those who are or have carried both.

Thanks!

ps. I'm not some crazy vigilante martial artist, i don't REALLY need a wave model for EDC....but i just want one because it's damn nifty. There, i said it. :D
 
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Endura as it is a longer blade and a Delica is easy to open the regular way.
Not that the Endura is HARD to open, but it is a longer throw for the thumb.
Endura was made for the wave.

:)
 
I actually really enjoy my Delica4 wave. It's a great all around knife. It's small enough to not raise too many brows even when opened via wave. However, it is still an extremely effective SD tool.

however, your results may vary... because i am actually a crazy vigilante martial artist.
 
If you already have a Leek then get the Endura. Leek and Delica are about the same size.
 
Both are great knives. I think it'll come down to which size you prefer for EDC. There are plenty of folks that EDC either one and both seem to get the job done. I personally like the Endura size for EDC. I would probably only carry the Delica as a secondary knife to my main knife which would be a larger size. The Delica would be a great knife for jogging.

I'm sorry, I can't help you. Get both.
 
The Endura would probably be better for SD. It fills the hand better. I have a Delica Emerson and a regular Endura. I like the Emerson Delica more than the Endura in terms of looks because the Endura is kinda long and not wide... It has a section where the spine is straight, and I don't like that too much. The Delica is more tear-shaped; it's got a curve all the way along the spine.

If you're looking for a medium-sized EDC, get the Delica. If you want something bigger, get the Endura.
 
I have both in plain edge (have not seen serrated or combo edge for the waved versions) and like them. I think I prefer the overall feel and authority of the Endura but I more often carry the Delica as it is smaller and better suited for me to EDC. Both are pretty thin overall in cross section so it's not actually not that much more weight or room, maybe mostly it's the fact that the shorter length is more people/sheeple friendly; I work in an office so bigger knives are not the way to go. The wave feature DOES add to size, height wise, not a factor when using the clip but I find the Delica takes up a bit more room in the pocket than other more conventional EDC's if I don't clip it. Doubt you'll be disappointed either way.
 
The E4W is much easier and IMHO faster to wave open, but the D4W is so much easier to carry, though a little harder to wave open. It's a tough choice, I think you should get both.
 
Thanks guys, I appreciate the info! Looks like I'm going to go with the delica for now since it's sheeple-friendly. Maybe no wave since it sounds like it's not so useful on the delica as it is on the endura. Then at least i'd have the option of combo-edge if i wanted to try it out.

And yes, It looks like I'll have to get both eventually. But funds are tight so I want to get the one with the most utility first. I'm going for the Endura4 Wave after this.

Thanks again everyone! :D
 
rksoon said:
Thanks guys, I appreciate the info! Looks like I'm going to go with the delica for now since it's sheeple-friendly. Maybe no wave since it sounds like it's not so useful on the delica as it is on the endura. Then at least i'd have the option of combo-edge if i wanted to try it out.

And yes, It looks like I'll have to get both eventually. But funds are tight so I want to get the one with the most utility first. I'm going for the Endura4 Wave after this.

Thanks again everyone! :D
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The regular Delica is also great. I went from a D4W to a regular Endura, and I don't really miss the Emerson Opener all that much. The Emerson Opener blades are sharper, fun to play with, and look cooler, but honestly, the regular versions are more practical.
 
THG said:
The regular Delica is also great. I went from a D4W to a regular Endura, and I don't really miss the Emerson Opener all that much. The Emerson Opener blades are sharper, fun to play with, and look cooler, but honestly, the regular versions are more practical.
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Yeah, I thought that might be the case. I'm glad I posted a thread before just going ahead with the E4W like I was going to. Thanks! :D
 
I went with the Endura 4 because I like the slimmer blade with less pronounced Spydie Hump
 
Reeek said:
I went with the Endura 4 because I like the slimmer blade with less pronounced Spydie Hump
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Yeah, I wasn't so keen on the spydie design and shape of the blade (both endura and delica, I like the look of knives like the ZT200 despite the fat blade or sleeker sebenzas), but I hear so many rave reviews about these two spydies, I figure I'd give em a try. If they're so incredibly functional and affordable, I'll overlook the aesthetics :) If the spydie hump on the delica really bugs me too, i'll just have it as a back-up jogger like kaizen1 suggested and roll with the endura.
 
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I had a E4 Wave for a while, and still own a E4 non-wave combo edge and D4 non-wave. I spent some time with the D4 Wave prototype at Sal's table at a show a while back.

Like you, I found the wave feature to be very appealing at first, even given my decidedly non-tactical lifestyle. However, at the time I was tired of my EDC's shredding the pocket rims of every pair of pants I own, so ultimately I sold the E4W to fund another purchase. I kinda miss it, but until I get some formal SD training, I don't need a Wave enough to tie up scarce knife funds.

Although I find the Endura in general just a bit too big/unwieldy for detailed EDC tasks, for SD the Endura feels like a LOT more knife in the hand. I like the aesthetics/proportions of the D4 better -- the E4 just looks too stretched-out for me (and I generally prefer slender knives to fat/stubby knives).

Note: Since I've never been a student of edged weapon SD, I don't know what characteristics *really* make for a good SD knife. I would imagine that bigger is better.

So I guess my take is that although both sizes can serve both roles (quite well, even), you might focus on which function is more important to you:
SD = E4W (or much better yet, CCW :D)
EDC = D4W or D4 non-wave

Ultimately, get both! :D :p :D

Seriously, buy a used one of each, carry each for a few weeks, and sell off (or keep:D) the loser. You'll probably break even, and at least you will know firsthand.
 
Lycosa said:
Man, those Spydie Waves are UG-LEE!!
Endura 4. ;)
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That's what I thought at first too, had to grudgingly give it respect when I saw a guy whip it out :)


Thanks Tradja, some great tips there! :) I was worried about the wear on my jeans too with the wave. And I'm with you on the aesthetics...the E4W just looks odd to me right now with that skinny blade, I do like the delica's looks more, wave or non-wave.

Based on the responses from you fine gentlemen, I'll be going with the D4 for now. When my money tree bears fruit again, I am definitely getting the E4W just to play with it or maybe for weekend carry (If I'm not first seduced by those ZTs or BMs I've been salivating over). Thanks again all!
 
rksoon said:
(If I'm not first seduced by those ZTs or BMs I've been salivating over).
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Which ZTs and Benchmades are you looking at for this role? Been tempted to pick up another Benchmade (maybe a HK?) myself...
 
Well, a friend of mine had the ZT0200 and I loved it. Might be on the bigger end for EDC (on the size of the endura i think, and the heaviest blade that size i've ever held) but I love the look and feel of that bad boy and it's 154CM.

I've never owned a Benchmade, but I always hear great things about them. I've had my eye on the 710 (again larger blade, D2 steel) or the mini-griptillian or mini-skirmish or mini-rukus or HKs (all probably better suited for EDC, 154CM or S30V steel). I've been curious about the axis lock on benchmade knives and how they work, so I want one in the near future :)

Most of those (except for the mini-grip) are out of price range for me right now, thus the spydie....but they're near the top of my list :)
 
I have used a blade in SD before, and unless you are trying to actually kill someone (I was not) then the ability to move it fast and get it out fast are more important than size IMHO.
I was aiming for grabbing hands, punches and kicks-I walked (actually i think i ran), but i did leave the guy bleeding from the hands and backing away with a dazed look on his face.

Never used a wave, have considered one, undecided, ugly/beauty does not count for diddly when your life or liberty is on the line.

A wave would probably be a good idea-however the ZT301 looks like a hell of a lot better knife for everything.
 
Yes, when using a knife in SD i'd think (like you iBlade) the ability to open and maneuver it quickly counts for more than size. I hope to never have to use a knife for SD, but if I was in that one situation when that split-second draw or small-blade flexibility could save my life...might be worth it. I don't know. I'm certainly no expert at this thing. I follow the "rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it" school of thought, so the wave feature has kept bugging me today and prevented me from pulling the trigger on the D4 rather than the D4W or E4W. It's the same thing with serrations for me. Anyway, I will get both eventually, so i'll have my answer. And SD really is only the secondary or tertiary concern for me (though yes, that'd probably change after the fact if shit ever hits the fan).

yeah, now the zt0300, that knife looks like a damn good package...unfortunately my wallet isn't up to the task right now.... :(



BALLS. I violated my own request to not talk about other knives here :) Fine, everyone have at it.
 
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