Spyderco Endura

benchmade mini barrage vs. Benchmade torrent vs. spyderco endura 4?

which would you pick

I carry the Delica (the Endura’s “younger brother”) as my everyday knife. I carry the Endura when I’m going into the woods along with a full tang Gerber sheath knife. The Endura is utilitarian and inexpensive. I think that it and the Delica are the epitome of a value knife. Great steel and form factor at a very reasonable price. I have a few Benchmades. The Griptilian is my favorite for carry. The Mini Barrage is very good too. It has an ideal steel for a blade (154CM is great for an edge–http://www.benchmade.com/about_knives/our_blades.asp). It’s more Delica sized than Endura. The big deal on the Barrages is the Axis lock. I swear by them (not at them). I don’t think that there’s a stronger system on a sub-$300 knife. No liner lock can compete (http://www.equipped.com/axis.htm). But now you’re paying 50-100% more (street) for the Benchmade than the Spyderco. I think that the lock is worth it if this is really a working knife. If it’s coming out for boxes and line cutting, I’d save the money and wear on the Endura as it’s a 2-for-1 proposition. To move to the Torrent you have to pay even more (street) than the Barrage, give up the Axis lock, and have a less ergonomic (to me) handle. I chose not to buy one. I think that it’s selling on looks, not function. Yes, it has an opening assist (which may cause problems in some jurisdictions–ask me…). The opener doesn’t impress me on any of the Benchmades.

Verdict: I can’t choose against the Mini (or full sized) Barrage. GREAT KNIFE. But I think that the Endura is a better value. But most knife purchases aren’t based on value. My Barrage is one of the knives that I’ll show off if someone notices it (2009 Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence knife of the year). My Endura goes along for the ride and works hard–no show, all go. If I could only have one I’d get the Barrage. Forget the Torrent. (Buy the Endura or Delica too and let it do the grunt work!)

Spyderco Endura 4 FFG: “Now Perfect” by Nutnfancy