Spyderco questions

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outdoorsman196

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Jun 11, 2012
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hi, i have some questions about Spyderco. I was wondering if they are much better than other brands (crkt, kershaw, sog, benchmade, etc.)?
on the Endura 4, there seems to be some retention on the blade, similar to a slipjoint. does this affect how fast it opens compared to other knives?

also, which is better the benchmade griptillian or the endura 4?
 
outdoorsman196 said:
hi, i have some questions about Spyderco. I was wondering if they are much better than other brands (crkt, kershaw, sog, benchmade, etc.)?
Click to expand...

depends on which knife you are comparing with which other of those brands knives.

on the Endura 4, there seems to be some retention on the blade, similar to a slipjoint. does this affect how fast it opens compared to other knives?
Click to expand...

i wouldn't say so. all depends on how fast you can push that thumb hole open with your thumb.


also, which is better the benchmade griptillian or the endura 4?
Click to expand...

matter of personal opinion. i prefer the axis lock to the backlock, but that's me. other than that it's more ergos and matter of tastes and styling that appeal to you. both are good knives.
 
here's a clue: go over to the manufacturers' forum and compare the number of threads and posts for each sub-forum dedicated to one brand. ;)
 
jbmonkey said:
depends on which knife you are comparing with which other of those brands knives.



i wouldn't say so. all depends on how fast you can push that thumb hole open with your thumb.




matter of personal opinion. i prefer the axis lock to the backlock, but that's me. other than that it's more ergos and matter of tastes and styling that appeal to you. both are good knives.
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Axis lock rocks the house if you're looking for a true one-handed knife that isn't an OTF auto.
 
The Endura is a lockback, so it will require more force over a longer arc to open compared to a Walker liner lock, Reeve Integral lock or Axis lock, where the resistence vanishes once the detent is overcome. On the other hand, the closing bias of the backlock makes it far less likely to open in your pocket by accident.

The rest is Ford vs. Chevy.
 
Personally i can flick out the endura with the tip of my thumb i also find that
spyderco is a very very good company and also one that i favor. Lastly i
would have to say the endura 4 over the benchmade.
 
outdoorsman196 said:
hi, i have some questions about Spyderco. I was wondering if they are much better than other brands (crkt, kershaw, sog, benchmade, etc.)?
on the Endura 4, there seems to be some retention on the blade, similar to a slipjoint. does this affect how fast it opens compared to other knives?

also, which is better the benchmade griptillian or the endura 4?
Click to expand...

spyderco's quality is absolutely top notch. Far better than crkt and sog, about the same as kershaw (better than the lower end kershaw) and benchmade.

The tension you noticed on the Endura is simply a feature of the back lock. It's simply the nature of the lock type and can be seen in every single back lock knife ever made. The tension isn't a bad thing, some people love it because it keeps the blade closed when in your pocket, some people don't like it because it can inhibit the flickability of the knife when compared to some other lock types.

With regards to endura vs griptilian... Its a tie.

I'd give the endura the nod for better blade steel (unless you're talking about a Ritter grip), pocket friendliness, ergonomics (my preference, may not be yours), and pure cutting performance (especially the endura ffg).

The griptilian wins in terms of lock (both strength and ease of use), speed of deployment, and overall cool factor.

Quality between the two is a toss up. They are both great knives.
 
I find it rather to difficult to flip open most spyderco knives, but generally I dont flick open any knife. I really like spyderco, all of the ones I have ever used lock up solid and almost feel like a fixed blade. I dont mind that both hands are required for the back locking knives either.
 
outdoorsman196: welcome to bladeforums. :)

Here's my $0.02: I'd say buy both. You can get both basic models for $50.-$75., and less if you check out the for sale forum here on BF. Keep the one you like most, and sell or trade the other. From there you can upgrade to higher-end variations (different handle materials, better steels, etc.) of the one you like.

I've had both, and the Endura is my hands-down favorite - however, my favorite lock type is the lockback.

The Endura is thinner, and a little longer in closed length, but the Griptilian seems (to me) to fill the hand better. You can have both with saber-ground blades, and they both seemed equal in cutting performance to me. The axis lock on the Griptilian is a great lock, and very easy to open quickly with practice.

I had a Benchmade #520 Presidio Ultra, and to me, I preferred it to the Ritter Griptilian I recently acquired in a trade. I later traded the Griptilian for another Spyderco model.

~Chris
 
outdoorsman196 said:
also, which is better the benchmade griptillian or the endura 4?
Click to expand...

Maybe you're going to have to get both and find out! :D I don't have neither but plan on getting my girlfriend an Endura FFG Blue and my brother a Griptilian. I've heard really good reviews on both knives so either one should be just fine. But it all comes down to preference.
 
I am still rocking the spyderco endura clip it with the rivets in vg10 steel. That thing has been through salt water, deer, and only has a few stains on blade but the serrations never dull compared to my griptillian. I truely think vg10 is just as good as 154cm, but a flat grind vg10 hands down.
 
IMO of course...
(Benchmade = Spyderco = Higher end Kershaws/ZTs) > (SOG = CRKT= Low end/chinese Kershaws)

as far as Griptilian vs Endura I like both, the Griptilian handles are a little fat in pocket and hollow feeling/sounding, but I like the lock better.
 
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It's all personal preference really.
Spyderco, in my opinion, blows CRKT and SOG out of the water.
I've have many knives from all of the bands mentioned.

Kershaw is awesome and has great prices on China and USA made knives.
Spydercos knives, China, Japan, Taiwan, and USA made knives are all great. They are a little more expensive than Kershaw but most also have better blade steel and materials.
Benchmade - Has great knives but a lot in my opinion are over priced for what you get.

Between the Endura 4 and the Griptilian, I would get the Endura 4. It has almost the same materials as the Griptilian and for a good fraction less. I like the tension as it feels more solid. The back lock is pretty simple to close with one hand once you get used to it. The axis lock is smoother but the back lock feels more solid to me.
I've own and used both. I really prefer Spyderco over any other brand. A close second for me is ZT/Kershaw. And then Benchmade.

Really it would be best to try and handle some knives before you make a decision so you can figure out which you prefer. I helped a guy pick out his first Spyderco the other day, which was the Endura. He fell in love with it right away.

As far as blade steel, VG-10 and 154cm are very close. VG-10 especially the flat ground in my opinion sharpens up easier and takes a keener edge. 154cm may hold it's edge a little longer but not by much.

I find my favorite steels to be s30v, D2, and Elmax.

I think the Endura 4 or the Griptilian will make a fine first knife as your first plunge into mid-end. Choose your preferences and then narrow it down. Or just get both as eventually no matter which you choose first, you're likely to end up with both. =]
 
Like some of the others said and a very common phrase here, "Get Both"!!

The Endura4 opens slower yes because of the lockback mechanism, but still opens smooth with the Spydie hole. I can't flick mine open but it opens fast none-the-less. It is slim which helps in pocket carry,full steel liners, has a great utilitarian blade shape and uses VG10 steel. There's alot to like in that knife and should be in everyone's collection.

The Griptilian is another fine knife that flies open with a simple thumb flick. The axis lock works very well and is simple, and can be opened and closed manipulating the lock with a wrist flick. The handle is thick which gives great purchase in your hand (a little thick in the pocket though) and has partial steel liners. Very useful and classic drop point blade in 154CM which is right up there with VG10. This is another knife that is a must have in a collection, a great introduction to knife collecting.

Both knives are offered in several different colors to satisfy anyone's needs, so again get both! The Endura is a bit cheaper you can shop around, but I've always found the Griptilian to be a tad more expensve. I have a couple of each in different flavors and love them all.
 
I know the alias knives are really great, as I have owned the alias 2 and I was quite impressed by it.
 
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