SpyderCo Endura or Police Model: which one is better?

[SrA Scott]

I am thinking about buying a larger pocket knife than the one I currently have, a SpyderCo Delica (which is used more as a tool at home).

I like the Endura a lot but the Police model looks real good, too.

Which one would you recommend?

Is one better than the other for any reason?

[krellum]

If I recall, the Police model is very similar, but has a thinner, longer blade. I have the stainless Endura. I've had it for about 8 years with no problems. Hefty, pretty solid, the blade is a bit wider so you could argue that it's more "stable" I guess. I didn't get the Police model because it was just too darn long. If I wanted a knife that big, I'd carry my Ka-bar!

k

[SrA Scott]

Well, that settles that, then. An Endura it is!

I am planning on buying one from honorfirst and having the USBP logo laser-engraved on it. They look fantastic!

Thanks, k! :)

[IT2PD]

I used and an Endura for most of my time in the military. Black plastic handle and full Spyderedge. Loved it! Most comfortable knife I've ever had for waistband carry. I used it hard for everything from cutting radiator hoses, to unbanding ammo containers, wiring, carpentry, etc.

I was actually looking for the police model when I picked it up, but the PX didn't carry it, so I went with what they had. Although I wanted what I perceived to be the sturdier metal handled Police model, after using it I really liked the polymer handle (very light, and insulated for electrical stuff). I had no problems with it's durability (it's life ended after 3 years when I tried to bust a locking gas cap after a friend forgot his key, and snapped off the tip of the blade; stupid way to use a knife, but we needed gas).

If I'm hired on a Police force, I will definately pick up another one! (IT people seem to freak a little easier than military in the presence of tools like that, so I've tried to adjust to not carrying anything anymore.)

Jeremy

[public-safety]

I also use a Spyderco Endura w/polymer handle, have had it about 8 years. It's a great knife, but it would be wrong to think of it as "insulated for electrical stuff." The back of the handle has an exposed stainless steel bit that locks the blade in place when extended, as well as two exposed retaining pins. If you need to work with electrical stuff, use the appropriate tools.

[IT2PD]

Sounds great in theory ("use the appropriate tools"), but when I was out in the middle of Hohenfels with a dead HMMWV and trying to determine if the battery was roached or just a loose contact somewhere, I just didn't happen to have a multimeter available:p

I didn't remember the metal part being such a big deal, so I dug mine out again. Maybe they have different revisions of it, but the locking mechanism on mine only extends about 2/5 of the way up the handle from the blade, and the 2 exposed pins are right near the blade. Making it trivial to be fully insulated from any voltage you should even consider using it as an emergency tool for (jumper a starter, test an electrical fence, short contacts on a broken switch, etc). Commercial lineman voltages? Hell no!

Having the correct tool for the job is the best scenario, but, if the perfect tool isn't available and a field expedient method is required, the Endura's polymer handle and an awareness of where it is gripped will provide an additional option that is not available with the full metal handle of the Police model:p

Hopefully that explains what I meant a little more clearly!

Jeremy

[DonNadie]

Heres a little story to help ya make up your mind: Once upon a time there was this USBP trainee who had just arrived in San Diego and was all fired up (as most are) to get the coolest gear and show how squared away he was. So this BPA went out and bought one of those nice shiny all stainless Spyderco Police models for @$130. Well one day he was out grabbing aliens or maybe just grabbing ass and he went to get his hi-speed new knife to open up a particularly well wrapped piece of beef jerky and lo and behold...no knife. It had fallen out of this BPA's pocket somewhere in the brush. Woe was that BPA. Now I carry a $30 Endura and I can't seem to lose the thing for nothing.
Don

[CanineCop]

Amen to that, I carry a $150 benchmade, it's a nice knife but hasn't served me any better than a spyderco that cost $40. If I ever lose that Benchmade, I won't get another one. I'll go with a cheap but reliable basic model Spyderco, Kershaw, etc...

[Wick]

If you have already deceided on Spyderco as your brand of choice considering the following things,

The stainless handled Spydercos are nearly impossible to grip in anything but ideal conditions. If they get wet or bloody the get very slippery. Go with the FRN handles, cheaper and easier to grip.

The Police and the Endura are very similar. The biggest diffrence is the Police has an upper swedge and a chisel groud balde. The Endura is the more typical V grind.

Also, look at the Spyderco Military Model. It is similar in size with G-10 slabs and a good liner lock.

Wick

[PJM]

I hear you Nadie, BTDT.

Endura for the reasons stated above, pocket knives are easy to lose. It is a workhorse and if you break it or lose it... no harm, no foul.

PJM

[universible]

Its a tool...how often do you lose your gun? or cuffs? No offense, and maybe I huckin rocks at my glass castle, but I've never lost a knife yet.

Ted

[PJM]

Come on dude, you've got a strider logo for an avatar... if I was carrying around a heavy chunk of expensive steel like that I would take care not to lose it either.

Folding knives are a tool and they get used as such. We're talking about personal property not accountable items. I've never lost a service weapon but just about everything else that wasn't attached with dummy cord... I've lost or at least set down and it disappeared ;).

PJM

[universible]

I wish I was carrying out heavy chunks of strider steal...though I do have a light piece of strider Ti...

Anyhow, knives are tools, like everything else you might carry. What good is having a tool (no matter the value) if you actually accept losing it? Doesn't matter if its a $30 Spyderco or a $300 Strider...if you lose it, it'll do you no good.

Ted

[krellum]

Something about the slipperiness of stainless steel knives...I took about $1-worth of non-skid tape from Home Depot (sticky on one side, non-skid, rubberized surface on the other) and was able to custom-fit it to the outside of the knife. Slips are not a problem. I realize the stainless version is more expensive, but I guess it's a personal preference; I just like the all-metal version better (feels more solid to me).

k

[Signal9TN]

Originally posted by IT2PD
I had no problems with it's durability (it's life ended after 3 years when I tried to bust a locking gas cap after a friend forgot his key, and snapped off the tip of the blade; stupid way to use a knife, but we needed gas).


Jeremy

I broke the tip off of mine while in SA with 2/187th IN. We got sent in 96/97 to do MP work after they blew up Kohbar Towers and keep the ADA guys safe. Boy were they surprised on our way of keeping em safe! Anyways...I broke the tip off of mine trying to pry open a desk to get to a much needed equipment item for a briefing...the power cord for a laptop...the Army can not run without PowerPoint!

I had our armorer grind it down, a few yrs later I broke the clip and sent it in to get fixed and asked for them to bill me. They sent it back, with a new balde, a new metal clip in place of the old broke one and a letter...with NO bill! Great customer service!!!!!


(PS I was OPFOR in Hohenfels from 91 to 93...CSC 1/4 IN)

[Virgilthetiger]

Originally posted by krellum
Something about the slipperiness of stainless steel knives...I took about $1-worth of non-skid tape from Home Depot (sticky on one side, non-skid, rubberized surface on the other) and was able to custom-fit it to the outside of the knife. Slips are not a problem. I realize the stainless version is more expensive, but I guess it's a personal preference; I just like the all-metal version better (feels more solid to me).

k



that is clever, way to think outside the box.



edit: what kind of blade do you guys recomend.

Virgil