Utilitarian Utopia?

Splat

Splat

Joined
Nov 19, 2006
Messages
907
So I love my CS American Lawman but I've come to grips with the fact that its handle's about 3/16" too short for my hands. I'm looking for something a little more utilitarian, yet robust. I think I've narrowed it down to either the Bass Pro Buck 110 in CPM154 or the Spyderco Endura in ZDP189 (G10 or FRN??) I've read some say FRN scales are stronger than, say, metal scales (ss scales vs FRN on Endura), but are they stronger than G10? I'm looking for something with a 3.25"-4" blade, medium or high quality steel, with a good sturdy handle that is about the length of the Buck 110 or longer. What say ye?
 
I had an Endura 4 which uses the skeletonized steel liners with FRN scales. I posted once on the topic of the Endura's handle flex. Compared to something like the American Lawman that has a relatively stubby handle with the thick G-10 and an aluminum backspacer the Endura "seems" flexy. Likewise, compared to a Spyderco Military, the Endura "seems" flexy.

I was ready to just disown the knife completely until I compared it to other knives with solid FRN/Zytel handles, and there's no more flex in the Endura than there was in those molded one-piece Zytel-handled knives. It all boils down to subjective comparison in the end.

Now, for what it's worth (and I'm pretty sure that there is NO merit to this claim whatsoever), it seemed to me that Spyderco's black FRN is stiffer than their colored varieties. But it's probably just a side effect of optical illusions and subconscious personal preference.

In the end the Spyderco Endura handle is pretty strong. You'll snap the blade in half before you destroy the handle.

-nate
 
You could get another CS Tri-Ad lock folder with a bigger handle. Maybe a Recon 1 or an AK-47.

I don't think the Endura will let you down. I've owned several different models and love them all except for the SS handled ones (too heavy, too slick and no screws). If the FRN handle bothers you, try to hunt down one of the G-10 models. Other Spydies you might want to consider are the Paramilitary 2 and the Chinook 3.
 
I actually just got a Recon-1 about three weeks ago. The handle is slightly longer than the AL, but the way it's shaped has my fingers cramped together. I have a Paramilitary and loved the D2 but the handle shape wasn't my cup of tea at all. From all the different handle (and blade) styles I've had over the years I think I'm starting to lean towards more plain, less curvy handles. Hence my leaning towards the Buck 110 or Endura.

Nate, I know what you mean about the flex. I forgot I had a Spyderhawk and, honestly, had to go looking for it so I could check it out. The Spyderhawk's FRN flexes but it's not that bad, but noticeable. I don't mind the flex as long as the lock doesn't fail. Hmm... Endura in G10?.... I'll have to look into that.
 
Kershaw Shallot is what I consider extremely utilitarian. Nice size, strong lock, strong blade shape/grind...
 
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