Hi All

I'm looking for a new outdoor/utility knife, and i've decided to save up and buy a quality knife.

Ideally, i'd like a Sebenza - but that is way out of my budjet. My next option is a folder with a 3 " blade. I really like the look of the Spyderco Endura, Police and Milatary model, but they are quite pricey.

Endura - https://secure.heinnie.com/cgi-bin/heinn...cart_id=4533909

Police - https://secure.heinnie.com/cgi-bin/heinn...cart_id=4533909

Military - https://secure.heinnie.com/cgi-bin/heinn...cart_id=4533909


Does anybody have experience with these models? Plain edge, spyderedge or 50/50? Are there any outher knives that you would swear by? Any comments/critisism will help. Thanks!

I'm also considering buying the endura from heinnie haynes. I'm in exactly the same situation, I'd love a sebenza but I can't afford it.

I have the endura with a stainless steel handle and a plain edge. I´m completely satisfied with it. It came razor sharp and holds an edge very well. The blade opens and folds smoothly and it locks reliably.
I chose the smooth edge because it´s better for most cutting tasks and it´s easier to sharpen. If you need it for cutting ropes or seat belts the serrated edge might be better. I wouldn´t recommend the half serrated blade. It´s a compromise and with such a short blade you will have the disadvantages of both edge designs.

I saw some enduras and delicas for sale on eBay today from UK sellers, much cheaper than heinnie even if you go for the buy it now option. I also saw my local shooting and fishing shop sell delicas for considerably less.

Justin

I have an older Spyderco Endura, and it's been a pretty good knife- no real complaints. So much of knife selection is personal preference, and so much has changed on the Endura over the years, that it's hard to say anything definite. They've changed the handle shape, the rocker, the steel, the clip...

The handle is comfortable, and Spyderco knives, with that big, patented circular hole in the blade, open more easily with one hand than almost all thumb-stud folders. The Zytel versions are pretty lightweight, and my Endura balances just behind the blade pivot pin.

If I were buying a Spyderco now, I'd buy the Military, as it's easier to keep clean and has the stronger liner lock, rather than the older rocker-lock design on the Endura. Also, the hollow-ground bevel on the EnduraI makes the point a little more delicate than I like.

I don't much care for serrated edges.

Hope this is of some help.

Thanks to all of you for the replies. I hope to get the plain edge Military, because of:
1) the ease of cleaning
2)I like the design, shape and look
3) it has a 4" blade. that is quite big. I personally prefer bigger blades.

I'm going with the plain-edge for ease of maintanance as well as preference.

Thanks again for the help.

WOFT,

I've carried an Endura daily for about 2 years now and love it.

In terms of strength I would not rate it at the top due to the small pivot. I don't use mine as a wilderness blade. I carry mine mainly in an urban setting for defense. At this it excells. The Endura carries with it's pivot down in the pocket. On the draw it is in a natural position to open quickly.

It holds an edge very well and can easily be brought back to a shaving edge with a hard stone and a strop. It is also a lightweight knife that is comfortable to carry. I love the Endura, plain edge.

For wilderness duty I use a drop point S&W SWAT with G-10 scales. I'd put this knife up against any more expensive folder. Mac

Pict

Dammit Mac, you made me think about the negative aspects of the spyderco!! <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />!!!!

Thanks for pointing that out.

I'll still save some money, but i'll still consider other options for an outdoor knife. I'm not looking for the 'perfect' knife - i don't beleive that there is such a thing. Also, many of the knives discussed on this forum aren't available to me. The Spydrco range (some of it) is, and seems the best suited for me when i consider the other options available.

WOFT,
why are you looking for a "new" outdoor knife?

reinhardt

WOFT,

The Endura is a great knife for the money. I paid an inflated price for mine becasue I bought it here as an import. Brazil has it's availability problems too.

For me the most important feature was the pivot down carry. You don't have to manipulate the knife as much to get it open.
I would use it as a wilderness knife but I have better choices. My Spyderco is dedicated to defense and I just don't want to screw it up making fuzz sticks or something.

The edge it holds is truly amazing. I put the Endura in my "best buy" category. It's hard to go wrong with a classic. Their more expensive knives are stronger. Mac

Reinhardt

I don't NEED a new knife. I've just decided that, considering I am becoming more involved with the outdoor sports (as well as first aid/ambulance service), i thought it was time to spoil myself with an upgrade.

My present outdoor knife is one of the LARGE SAK hikers. it is great for more civililised tasks, but I don't trust it with heavier tasks.

I have begun having doubts with the Spyderco htough. I read that it is a thin knife, so it might not be up to the tasks that I think it will be used for.

I am saving the money, but I am not making the purchase, yet.

Woft,
Well keep me up to date as I STILL haven't got a proper fixed blade knife. I've seen a few on the net which caught my eye but before i buy a knife i really want to feel it first.

Anyway how are getting on with your future career? Made a choice yet?
I am working on mine at the mo. In the nearby future will need to to ask some questions on ETS so you'll hear what i am up to.

reinhardt

Hi WOFT,
I just wanted to point out that Mac wasn't talking about the negative aspects of Spyderco... he was talking about the negative aspects of the Endura. I also carried an Endura. Later, I carried another one. Both ended up with the same problem: the clip is held on by only the single large pivot screw, and held in alignment by its being pressed into the scale. In time, the pressure of being sat on would slowly destroy the recessed portion of the scale, and the clip would work itself free and then it would move around in circles. <img src="images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> Interestingly, during the time in which I destroyed my two and on to the current day, my girlfriend has carried her one Delica (basically, an only slightly smaller version of the Endura) and had no problems at all. The clip is held in place the exact same way as on my Enduras, but hers has stayed put. I can only assume her butt is softer than mine. <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
I changed to the Spyderco Police model for daily self-defense carry some time back. It's slightly thinner and just a tad heavier and sturdier than the Endura, and the clip is tougher and held on with three screws, so it can't pivot. I've carried it for some time now as EDC and had zero problems with it. I love it! It does seem designed more for city work than what you might be wanting, so you might prefer another model. Spyderco makes many. In his page on Folding Knife Choices, Doug lists the Spyderco "Hunter," "Goddard Clipit" or "Terzuola Clipit Jr." as good choices. I've never handled any of them.
I have handled the Military. I thought about it as EDC for a while, then decided I would save it for an outdoor knife for later. It's heavier and sturdier than the Police, and I was, at the time, looking for a fully serrated folder, not an all purpose tool. The thinner lighter style appealed for that reason. But for any other purpose, I think the Military would be noticably superior. Randall's Adventure & Training gives the Military a positive review, and my own handling of it makes me want it. It might be worth taking a look at, if you can find a knife shop that sells one.
Stay safe,
J.T.

Thanks Jet.

Now I am VERY confused <img src="images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />!! I had another look at my local gun shop, and on the Net at the Kershaw Vapour. I wish I could just get em all!

Hey WOFT,

Heh... sorry. <img src="images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> And I totally understand.

Yeah, I've looked at the Vapor too. It's on my list of Knives To Get Someday.

Oh man, isn't that the truth! <img src="images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> (It's a lonnggg list!) Good luck choosing!

Stay safe,
J.T.