What would you buy and why

C

coyotebc

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Jan 26, 2005
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Ok I am looking at buying 1 of the following knives.
Tell me which one you would buy and why
1 - Endura 4 - stainless handle, VG10 blade - $65
2 - Endura 4 - FRN handle, ZDP 189 blade - $80
3 - Military - G10 handle, CPM S30V - $130
4 - Police - stainless handle, VG10 blade - $90

It would be used as an EDC
 
I'd get the ZDP Endura. Nice blend of "advanced" blade steel, typical great Spyderco construction, and low price (for ZDP). For me, the extra $15-$20 is worth the upgrade from the VG-10 version.
 
I would get the military, because I don't like Stainless handles, and because I am waiting for the FFG Endura to come out.
 
Military b/c I like G10 over frn and stainless handles. The long blade in s30v is great and the egronomic grip is fantastic. Yea, it is $$$ but it will last a long time with EDC and hard use carry.
 
If I had the cash?

Military.

I've really heard nothing bad about the Military. Everyone loves the fit and finish. The steel is superb and the lockup solid. It's one of Spyderco's most famous models and for good reason. Although I would personally choose the Para over the Millie, I have smaller hands, I think that both are superb folders.
 
Millie. The stainless handle enduras feel a lot heavier and they get scratched up easily. Really smooth too, not so much grip.
 
I would go with a basic FRN handled Endura 4, maybe with a Wave opener if that floats your boat, for about 60-$70.
The Endura is a flagship Spyderco knife for almost 20 years now and has won the hearts of many people before they got around to the super-fly steels. VG10 is a great steel that is easy to maintain and sharpen with reasonable tools from about anywhere very much unlike ZDP189 which makes me hope you have already dropped the big bucks on some crazy diamond hone and/or other high-end sharpening system because you'll need it. CPM S30V isn't as bad as the ZDP189 but it still takes more work (and cash!) than the VG10 to sharpen correctly.
The FRN handles are well known for providing a great grip so spending more for gucci G10 handles means that you just spent a bunch of extra cash for...a great grip...and being able to say that it's G10. Stainless handles are just begging for the knife to slip or twist when you really need it to stay steady.

Go with the higher-end knives if you need them for your intended use, but a basic Endura will serve quite well for anything a person can reasonably expect from a folding knife for 99%+ of people.
 
Military. If I carried large knives more this would be my one true EDC. It is simply superb.
 
My vote goes to the Military. It was the first Spyderco I bought and it still gets plenty of pocket time. The steel is great, good ergos, locks solid, nice size, and the blade coating is very resistant to wear...

P1030659.jpg
 
No doubt about it, the Millie. S30V is the king of user steels, it's the only knife listed with a FFG, wich will give it a cutting performance hard to beat. Open construction for quick clean-ups, G10 is also the best handle material from your list. Best ergos of the bunch, IMO.

The Endura, with it's flat saber gring, isn't much of a cutter.
Stainless handles are poor in gripping.
ZDP makes for great edge retention, but it may be brittle, and it sure will be a pain to keep sharp.

Finally, the price: my bet is that if you don't choose the Millie this time, you will eventually buy one in the future, and slap yourself for not having done it sooner.
 
As many others have said... MILI!

Ergos are great and for a large knife it carries quite comfortably in the pocket. Be careful, if you buy one, chances are you will soon pick up another one (or five). :)
 
ZDP Endura with FRN.
Just bought one...darn fine knife. I sold my Millie as it to big and has odd ergos IMO.
The Endura is a classic.
 
Millie will serve you well, or wait for the full flat grind FRN Endura.

I agree with other people's observations about the stainless handles, they are pretty, but heavy and slip when wet. You also cannot take the stainless handles apart or adjust pivot tension easily.
 
coyotebc said:
Ok I am looking at buying 1 of the following knives.
Tell me which one you would buy and why
1 - Endura 4 - stainless handle, VG10 blade - $65
2 - Endura 4 - FRN handle, ZDP 189 blade - $80
3 - Military - G10 handle, CPM S30V - $130
4 - Police - stainless handle, VG10 blade - $90

It would be used as an EDC
Click to expand...

I would go for the Military with out a doubt but the ZDP Endura wouldn't be a bad choice either.
 
I would buy the endura in foliage green frn and vg10. not what you have listed but a hard working knife and timeless design. The millie is just too big for a folder imho and I never liked any of the ss spydies.
 
The Military is my favorite of the four. The Police3 G10 would be my next choice.
I'm not a fan of SS knives for EDC. The Endura4 models are great too. Pick what you like.
 
I got the Police for $90, but then I already have three versions of the Military. I would have got the Orange Mili/JD Smith combo had I seen it sooner.
Oh well.

Coyotebc, if you don't have a Military yet that is definitely the knife to pick up.
 
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