Starmate vs. Endura!

The Bear

The Bear

Joined
Nov 23, 2001
Messages
162
Which is the best all purpose Spyderco knife between the Starmate (440V steel) and the Endura (VG 10 steel), both plain edge?
Bye
 
Tough call, I have them both!!:confused: Maybe it depend on which one you are willing to heap a little more abuse on???:confused:
 
I would have to say the Endura.Just didn't like the feel of the Starmate.
 
They were never intended to be in the same class. The lamented StarMate was a collaboration model between Spyderco and Bob Terzuola that quickly became my most beloved folder. It fits my hand and looks stunning, and its CPM440V blade makes for one durable, cut forever device. It was made with G-10 scales and with Spyderco's adjustable eccentic pivot liner lock, the same as their flagship Military, making it a top of the line model in design, manufacture, and price. The Endura was initially introduced with an FRN hilt AND clip as well as with AUS6 steel, designed, manufactured and priced to be at the low end of Spyderco's line. While there have been numerous improvements to the Endura, it is still intended for the low end of the line, what with its FRN scales and a simple lock back system, so I have difficulty comparing them, just as I would have difficulty comparing a Military and an Endura.
 
What place is selling Starmates? I understand that they are discontinued.
 
I have both, and honestly like the Starmate a lot better. I like CPM-440V a little better than VG-10, and prefter G-10 to Zytel. Lock strength wise, they are probably close. Also, since the Starmate is discontinued, I would get that one first...you can get an Endura anytime. My Starmate dosn't receive much use due to it's scarcity, but I think it would out perform the Endura in some areas.
 
I'm thinking of getting a starmate soon, after much deliberation between the starmate and the wegner. the starmate's lighter weight and better CPM440V eventually got the better of me....

however, how is the lockup on the starmate as compared to the wegner? I have heard numerous praises heaped on the wegner's solid lock-up and zero bladeplay.

Thanks
 
Both are liner locks that utalize the eccentric pivot. There should be no difference in lockup at all. Spyderco makes a great liner lock, and I have 3 of them that function flawlessly. The Military is also a great knife, Spyderco's best in my opinion.
 
Spyken,

The Wegner and the Starmate are both beautifuly made. If possible, you really should handle both to see which one fits you better. All I can say from personal experience, is that the Wegner is an absolute work of art.

Jeff/1911.
 
definitly prefer the starmate, fits my hand better, wasnt crazy about the wegner, looked at both before i bought too, FWIW

greg
 
thanks! but does the starmate have that heavy, confident sounding "click" when the lock is engaged? :p
 
I'd go for the Starmate! :D heavy "clack"? well, don't think so.. but its very smooth.. takes a certain liking for mr Terzuola's masterpiece but once if you are hooked, there's no stopping! :D

Sam
 
I have had my StarMate since they first came out and it replaced my C-15 Terzuola/Spyderco Clipit, their earlier effort. The StarMate is, as you would expect, an improvement in every way and is as close to perfection as I have ever found in a pocket knife. It is light and easy to carry, not too noticeable in my pocket, very solid in its lock-up, excellent steel, extremely smooth action, flips open nicely but stays closed very well until needed, stays sharp(but you do need to touch it up, for CPM440V is a bear when it finally gets dull), and the shape of the blade and hilt work very well for my medium-sized arthritic paws. I have compared my StarMate extensively with a friend's large Sebenza and I find the StarMate, at about 1/3 the cost, to be every bit as smooth in its action, secure in its lock-up and closing lock, more comfortable in my hand, and better in the blade shape and steel, for me, at least. The only area where the Sebenza exceeds the StarMate is in the detail finishing, and I do not see that as being worth the extra money, not on a working knife. I would pay it for a collector's piece or an art knife, were I into such things, but I am not. The only bladed items that I collect that I don't use are Bowie knives and some swords.

To sum up, I love my StarMate and will continue to use it despite its discontinued state. I am even thinking seriously of getting another to replace this one, should the unthinkable occur. That, sirs, is what I think of the StarMate.
 
I think I'd better have a look at one of these, in case I find I "have" to have one as well.

Jeff/1911.
 
Does anyone have a picture of the Spyderco Starmate? I can't remember exactly what they look like.

Thanks, Jeff/1911.
 
When I had to make a choice between a Starmate or Military last year, I was determined on the Starmate. I went to the shop and spent quite a while handling both, and kept going back to the Military. For myself, it felt way more comfortable in the hand than the Starmate. However, YMMV. I wouldn't have known had I not examined both first-hand.

The Endura is an excellent work knife where you don't worry about ruining its aesthetics. The Starmate/Military are stronger, but the Endura is also a proven workhorse. (I have about 6 Enduras of varying types). If it's doing stuff like slicing up boxes or such on a regular basis, I prefer the fully-serrated ENdura...and the Endura, regardless of the steel (AUS-8, AUS-6, ATS-55, or VG-10) will be easier to resharpen than the CPM 440V if it dulls. I view the Endura as a budget Spyderco that, nevertheless, still gives its owner a pride of ownership and excellent use.
Jim
 
__hr_Mil_Weg_Star3.jpg
 
Chinook,

Were you trying to post a picture of the Starmate for me? Thank you, but for some reason it's not working, at least from my computer. I get the little box with an "x" through it, that's all.

Jeff/1911.
 
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