New person, same old questions...

[Tilley]

Howdy all!

I bought my very first "spydie" last week. I am a former Smith and Wesson knife owner, but wasn't happy with the product. My first knife was a S&W Homeland Security tanto knife (titanium blade). I liked it fine, until the screws on the clip fell out. I then bought a S&W HRT knife. I loved it (until all the clip screws fell out). I have a S&W model 686 and model 360PD revolvers, and love the quality, workmanship, and customer service from S&W, so I was unhappy the knives weren't as good.

I went to a sporting goods store and saw this interesting knife with a round hole in the blade, and it went home with me that day. I purchased a Spyderco Endura for $55 out the door (sale price). I liked the looks, and the lack of screws on the knife. After looking at this website, it would appear the knife is a 3rd generation Endura. There are no screws, and the handle is an injection mold made of nylon and fiberglass. What sold me was the fact there were no screws to strip or lose, only a "barrel" type of black metal screw. The metal clip lies in a squared indentation in the handle.

Can anyone tell me the history of this particular knife? How durable is it, and how durable is the clip? I'm obsessive-compulsive...so am I in trouble now (one spydie is too much, and a thousand is not enough...)?

By the way, the photography on this website is AMAZING!!!

[dedguy]

i have yet to have any of the Barrel type screws fall out on me but after about a year i noticed one of the three screws on my Harpy had fallen out, which isn't too bad considering all i put it through. also when something like that happens you can either send it to Spyderco for repairs or order the parts direct from spyderco for repairs yourself.

on the subject of the Endura it's one of the two "Flagship" knives imo. the Endura and Delica. they've been around for ages.

[smcfalls13]

Welcome to the forum, and congratulations on your new knife. You picked a great first Spyder to start with.

Sounds like you might want to invest in some Loctite, to keep those the screws in your other knives from taking a vacation.

[Senate]

Hi
like dedguy said it, you just bought yourself one of the most renowned spyderco model. the Endura has been around since its first introduction in 1990. if you use it like a knife, you won't see the end of it... ;)
as for the clip, a break is very unprobable but if it happens, contact spyderco and they will make things right.

welcome to the forum.

[yablanowitz]

Drop the Endura and back away slowly...

Too late, you're already hooked :D
Seriously, the Endura is a great knife. You may have a hard time sharpening it, but it really isn't hard to do. My experience with S&W knives is pretty far out of date, but the ones I have are tempered much softer than the VG10 that Spyderco uses. You will have to get used to using more pressure on the stone, or it can take a LONG time to get anywhere :rolleyes: You can always count on the forum for help, advice, and wallet depletion (most of us have multiple Spydies, and of course, we think you should too!)
Welcome to the madness, you can kiss your savings goodbye now :D

[vampyrewolf]

Congrats on the endura.... with all I put mine through, you shouldn't have any trouble.

Serrated or plain?

I eventually twisted my clip out, caught it on the tables at work 20 or so times, kept bending it back, and the plastic around it finally gave in.... then I got a custom leather sheath made for it. Have another one too now.

Great knife for the beginner.... go look at the c36 millie now.... and just try to break it. Or even more, buy a Manix. Tank of a folder.

You may want to look into locktite for the screws. The blue stuff(red tube) is tool tight, the red stuff(blue tube) is heat & tool to loosen off, and the green stuff may as well be welded on.

[ront]

Hi Tilley,
I recognize you from over at Glock Talk don't I? Welcome to the Spyderco boards!! We are glad you are here and hope you enjoy your stay, although as already pointed out, the Spyder addiction can get a bit expensive :).
I would not worry one bit about yur new Endura. It is a fine knife and should last you many many years!!

Ron

[Vincent]

welcome, you ceryaily have not made a mistake by coming here. except thee knives are minda addictive and ur credit will be screwed pretty soon.

[Tilley]

Yes, I also own a Glock 21 (.45 ACP). That is where I first saw spyderco's. It appears as if the people here are more respectful, and the photography is way better than the stuff from GT. The young lady from Romania is very talented.

[ghostrider]

Hello Tilley, and welcome to the forum. I wholeheartedly agree with you on the talent level of the young lady from Romania.

The Endura is a great Spyderco, be it a first or any other. That’s one of the setbacks of knives with screwed construction. They tend to vibrate loose, and that can be with any brand of knife. Funny thing about the E4 is that one of the reasons it was made screw construction was because people didn’t like the rivet construction of the E3. Go figure.

I’ve never owned a S & W knife so don’t know about what yablanowitz said about sharpening them. However, I haven’t had any problems sharpening the Spyderco VG-10, and that was after using 440A for a few years. The E3 is a great knife. Congrats.

[markg]

As for the history of the Endura... (and any one correct me if wrong, or add if I leave something out...)

The Endura came to life in the early 90's (1990 or 91). My first Spyderco was an Endura and I got it sometime in 1991. The first two "generations" had plastic intregal clips (the second generation was wider and stronger), and both had the round "butt." The 3rd Generation came out... I think sometime around 2000 (again correct me if wrong, it may have been earlier)... It had the addition of the steel clip (barrel bolt) and the square "butt." The 4th Generation Endura came out in 2006... It had a modified blade, all screw construction, three screw (four position) clip, and the return to the round "butt." I am sure there were some steel changes in there... Someone else will have to help you out with that.

Most people prefer the all screw construction, and consider it an upgrade. If you worry about loose screws, then a small investment in some Torx drivers and Blue Loctite will ease your mind... A little Loctite and you will never have to worry. The barrel bolt can loosen up also, but it is nothing a little pocket change can't fix (Literally!)

The Endura (and Delica) are classics in the knife world. Aside from the rare broken plastic clip or blade tip... The Endura has a great record... I would have nothing to fear in using the knife.

If you like the old style handle (sans screws) but would like a stronger tip... Consider the Pacific Salt. It could be what you are looking for, and no rust!

[vampyrewolf]

Just in case you're wondering...

the first endura was a 98 model, ats-55/serrated, 2nd endura is the 2000 upgrade to vg-10(DOB June 2005), vg-10/serrated... I still prefer the 98 model without the dent :p

The only sypdie I have right now that has gone through as much abuse, if not A LOT more ;) ;) , is my SS dragonfly, aug 2001 purchase... coming up on 5yrs of abuse, neck carry 24/7 since early 2003. ats-55 is very forgiving with a low edge bevel on it.

[Tilley]

I was sold on the Endura 3 because of the simplicity of design. It reminded me of my beloved Glock: steel and polymer! It is light and nothing to tighten, just carry and use.

I can't believe I am salivating over a knife...

[ront]

Yes, I also own a Glock 21 (.45 ACP). That is where I first saw spyderco's. It appears as if the people here are more respectful, and the photography is way better than the stuff from GT. The young lady from Romania is very talented.

Tilley, you will not find a greater bunch of guys and gals anywhere on the web than there are right here!! This is an awesome forum :) .

Ron

[spydutch]

Very welcome to the forums :cool:

You made a very wise choice by buying the Endura3.

I recently ordered a E4 to give it a chance, but I do wish they kept the barrel bolt for I have not been very lucky with those screw clips lately :mad:

The Endua3/SE has been my working knife for the past 3 weeks now and it's holding up very good.

[Mr Blonde]

Welcome to the forums. I'm not a fan of the Endura, any variation. The ergos are off for me. But you gotta love the fact that with the switchable clips you are bound to get a second one for your off-hand. I know that's what I do with its younger sibling, the Delica.

Wouter