I don't think anyone's done a review on that folder yet so here goes...

A little introduction for starters... I'd been shopping for a "tactical" folder for a while and almost settled for a CRKT Kasper. I could not find a plain edge version at a good price though and the blade was only available in 420J2, which wasn't acceptable to me as I wanted a harder steel that would take a good edge. As an amateur knifesmith I expect quite a lot from knives and I very rarely buy any these days since I can as well make my own. After a while and more research I finally ended up with a plain edge Spyderco Endura 4 with the Wave feature (quick draw opening).

http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=226

Spyderco has been all the rage for the past years but I must admit I never liked their designs. I played with Spydercos a fair bit but never got to buying one until now. I generally prefer more traditional designs even though I'm well aware of the many good concepts that Spyderco has been advocating so successfully. But I've always had a dislike for funny space age looking folders that look so ungainly. I have no use for combo/serrated edges either.

Still, at $49 + shipping the new Endura looked like a nifty toy at a reasonable price. My first impression after receiving the package was pretty much as expected. A big, ugly looking folder with a very noticeable Wave hook in front of the thumb hole. The knife is actually very slim and fits in a jeans pocket nicely. It's so light I don't even notice it. Some people might not like to carry a folder this big daily but I don't find it too cumbersome. It's about the biggest size folder I'd consider for EDC however. Anything bigger would become unwieldy. Though again the light construction and slim profile make the Endura much less of a burden than it might look.

Workmanship is really good. It is refreshing to see such tight tolerances in a production folder. Everything fits pretty much perfectly. The lockback is strong and secures the blade tightly, no play whatsoever. The plastic scales are molded very neatly, in nice clean detail and offer a firm grip. Underneath there are stainless skeleton liners. The grip seems quite flimsy but after a little testing I'm sure it could handle a fair amount of lateral stress if necessary - though that's never a good idea with any folder. I like the fact that the knife can be disassembled quite easily for cleaning or maintenance. I also like the simplicity of the lock. Liner locks are a very popular choice for higher end folders nowadays but they can be finnicky and not totally secure. The Endura benefits from the simpler lockback construction which also allows a slimmer profile.

The blade looks fairly unsual with that big Wave hook on top. The finish is quite ordinary but completely even and free of any dips or minor blemishes. My only real complaint is that the thumb hole could be finished a little smoother to be easier on the thumb. The cutting edge however is downright scary. Clearly, VG-10 is a high performance steel and it shows. Most stainless steels, even pretty good ones, don't take or hold a fine edge. The Endura came out of the box literally sharper than a razor blade. Plenty sharp enough to shave fine hair effortlessly, and yet the blade has a relatively strong profile with a V-grind. I've never seen a knife that sharp out of the box before.

Then comes the handling. My first attempt at Wave-assisted opening was a total failure. After a few tries I figured out the basic idea and from then on it got a lot easier. The Wave only functions reliably as long as you're standing and carrying the folder inside a sturdy pocket. It seems to work best with jeans which is good news for me because that's what I'm wearing 99% of the time. Once you master the procedure you can deploy the knife almost instantly. It doesn't even require any fine motor skill, definitely easier under stress than one-handed opening with the thumb hole. I was skeptical about the Wave at first as I never tried it before but I'm beginning to think it's a real improvement. With just a little practice you can draw and open the Endura simultaneously, even faster than you could deploy a fixed blade worn in a typical leather sheath where you have to unbutton the safety strap first.

It'll be interesting to see how the knife stands up to EDC and utility tasks and how well it holds the edge but all in all, the first impression is quite favorable. I'm no convert yet and I still find Spyderco knives pretty ugly... But I'll definitely admit that the new Endura has changed my view on folders a bit. This might be a good EDC knife for someone who likes a large, quick opening folder.

Hmm, sounds like a pretty good deal. It sounds like it is going to be a complement to the KA-BAR I have coming. Where the KA-BAR is weak, the Endura shines, and with less desirable aspects of Endura, KA-Bar will be better.

It will be two different aspects on large folders. I might have to get and Endura now and compare for myself, though I expect my observations to be much the same as your own if I did.

Maybe we can work out a temporary swap so we can both do a comparison between the two. If you think the Endura is the upper size limit for a folder, I am guessing you will find the KA-BAR to be too big for EDC, but maybe still has a place and time for practical carry anyways. The KA-BAR I think is more oriented toward being an affordable EDC in more hostile environments, the Endura trending more towards civilian apps.

It will be interesting to see how the edge on that Endura wears down.

I'm curious, which Ka-Bar did you order?

Can the quick draw hook also be used as a bottle opener? THAT would be a great feature on a knife!
J

Yup, it actually works as a bottle opener. I guess this isn't what the folks at Emerson and Spyderco had in mind but it's a pretty good alternative use of the Wave.

Benjammin, it would be interesting to do a little swap and compare the knives but that might be a bit hard to arrange unless you're coming to Southeast Europe in the near future.

I assume the Kabar you have in mind is the new Mule folder? Haven't handled that one yet, looks nice though. The philosophy behind the Mule seems different. The Endura is really a pocket knife whereas most people would probably prefer to carry the Mule in a belt sheath. Anyway, I'm sure both knives could do a good job in a civilian as well as military/LEO environment. The Mule is likely stronger and better for heavy duty tasks but the Endura is more of a concealed pocket knife that can be deployed very quickly. BTW, I've been showing the Endura to my friends and everyone is pretty much amazed by the Wave. The knife opens with a snap as soon as it clears the pocket, almost like an auto. It is quite intimidating and I suppose that would be an asset in a "tactical" situation.

The Desert Mule, which I just got my hands on. Review will follow on old thread.

I have a couple of Spyderco Delica 4's. Half serrated in VG-10. Good knife. Your Endura should give you the equivalent of a slimline Fallkniven F1 in a folding package. However it does not have the sharp edged spine of the F1. That means that you cannot use it to strike sparks from a ferro rod. You need to square a 1-2" (3-5cm) section with a diamond sharpener. Do it so that the edge of the spine feels "sharp."
Many people proclaim the advantages of carbon steel over stainless. However, VG-10 is excellent for the purpose.

Hmm, the spine on my Endura is quite square, almost sharp. I've already used it to strike sparks and it works pretty well. Is the Delica that different?

Anyway, I've been playing with the Endura a fair bit lately. Will write a more comprehensive review in a few days plus a cutting test so check back if you're interested.