Endura II - question

[mobbed]

I am in the market for a nice spyderco blade. I am in the NAVY and can really use a trusty knive. I have been looking at two models the Endura II and the Police edition.

This will be my first spyderco blade so I want it to be a nice one. One of my needs is a good place to engrave on the handel for anti-theft. This is my first post so let me say hello to all.

[J Smith]

I like both although I perfer the frn endura 50/50. Either would be a good choise look at and handle both before you make your decission.

J Smith

[Toolin]

Buying a Stainless Steel handle wound not be a good idea being in the Navy. SS gets very slippery on contact of water. If you want a large knife like the Endura or Police look for them both in FRN or G-10. A better idea would be looking into the Spyderco Military. It is a bit larger with a G-10 handle and is stronger then both models you listed. Good luck.

[mobbed]

I am a noob at Blades. I am leaning for the Endura II SS. Before I buy what Are the + and - of AUS-6.

[Caleb]

Hello mobbed welcome on this fantastic forum.
The millie will be a great choice but the chinook too!I think it is the more solid and resistant of the spydies.AUS6 is a relatively low carbon steel( i don't remember the percentage)then the edge will be sharp but for a little time.The CPM440V is a high carbon steel(more than 2%)it will keep sharp for a long time but is less corrosion resitant than AUS6,440A,B,AUS8.
Take a good choice.

[chinook]

Hi Mobbed
You might want to do a search both here and at BladeForums.com using "AUS6" for comments on that steel. I find most feel it is more corrosion resistant but maybe not as tough as ATS55.

The pic below is of most of Spyderco's SS handled knives. The Endura isn't there or the Spydercard. It was scanned by the late James Mattis.

Aluminum and titanium handles can also be engraved.

Disguised as a responsible adult

[sal]

Mi Mobbed. welcome to the forum. The Endura SS is AUS-6. It's a good all around steel and is better than 60% of the knives being made today. The overall design of the knife is functional, proven and strong. If you need more grip, put some skateboard tape on the handles.

If you like it, then you may want to in the fuure upgrade to something like the Military.

sal

[GlockDoc]

mobbed, done the navy thing myself and carried a case two blade hunter in carbon steel. If you take care of it rust is not an issue. Sal is right, get the endura and use the tape.

[Sword and Shield]

I'll vouch for the Endura's sheer functionality. The ATS-55 steel cuts very well, and the FRN gives a very light and strong gripping surface. The one thing I would suggest that hasn't already been is this: Take a good length of twine or cord (even shoelace) and run it through the hole at the end of the handle.

Tie a bowline in that end, one on your belt loop, and you will never worry about losing the knife.

Keepin' it real...real sharp, that is.

[The Stare]

Hi mobbed. Welcome to this forum. I'm an ex-jarhead, myself.

Ordinarily, I'm kind of anti SS handles, because of their basic slipperiness. But, since you did talk about having the knife engraved, I think you could have enough done to significantly increase your grip. At least theoretically.

I'd try for some engraving on both sides, or maybe the engraving on one, then checkering around the engraving on that side and checker the other side. The idea of a lanyard is very good. If you're a sea-going swab jockie, I can't imagine anything more frustrating than watching my beloved knife go skittering across a deck, and then over the side. Make a man cry.

Depending upon how vigorously you use your knife, AUS6 can be a fine steel. It is pretty good about corrosion resistance. It will take a wicked edge. It just will require more sharpening on the 204 everyone will soon be advising you to buy than would some more expensive/exotic steels. Far more knives are worn away by oversharpening than by actual wear on the edge.

Depending upon where your shore time is, the Endura's blade should cause you far fewer potential hassles with the local gendarmes than would the lengthy Police blade.

If you have the bucks, you might think about the Lum Chinese. It is very unusual -- beautiful IMO -- has almite covered aluminum handles, excellent steel. If you could get one of the blue ones to shortly come out, it would be a bit more naval in appearance than the green would.

Come visit often. THis is a fun forum. Sal also moderates the Spyderco forum at BladeForums.com. In fact, Spyderco fans are treated to the best involvement of the company brass of any of the manufactured brands. We're spoiled, but thankfully, most of us are aware how lucky we are.

Stare

[mobbed]

I just wanted to thank everyone for the input. I really liked the skateboard tape idea.I am also going to looki in to the Lum Chinese. Thanks everyone.

[James Y]

The Endura II is an excellent knife, so are my two SS Police models (plain and serrated version).
For starting out, though, I might suggest the Endura II. It has a lanyard hole in the butt of the handle, which the Police lacks, and in some situations this may keep you from losing the knife.

IMO, AUS-6 is a decent steel. And if you get the serrated version, it will not need sharpening as often as the plain version, but when it does, is easier to sharpen than some steels (CPM-440V, for example). I love the SS handles because they clip on very snugly yet don't rip up pocket material as can some other, aggressively checkered materials.
Jim