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.