Recon 1 vs Stainless Endura 4 SE - The work/beater knife showdown!

el gigantor

el gigantor

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I’m looking at buying an every day beater knife. I’m all about “the right tool for the job”, but it’d be cool to have a blade that can go the extra mile. The two I’ve narrowed down to are different from each other, but they both have a good reputation as a workhorse.

Cold Steel Recon 1 spear point S35VN or Spyderco Endura 4 Stainless handle VG-10 Serrated.

The E4 weighs a bit more and the Recon is about $30 CAD more expensive. I know all about the steel differences, ergo differences, serrated vs plain edge, etc. If you were in the market for a kick ass work knife in this general size and price bracket, which would you pick and why?

(Also, feel free to suggest other blades at least 8.75 in overall length if I’m missing something good.)
 
Congrats on the possible purchase of a new great knife.

While I love both, there are some pretty significant differences between those two options.

I would personally buy the Recon 1.

The Endura is a great platform (got a K390 in my pocket right now). Here is a small subjective list of pros/cons comparing the two knives.
Pros:
Carries easier.
Pocket clip is easier to use.
Thumb hole accommodate gloves hands.
FFG blade offers less resistance.
Smaller handle.

Cons:
Liners trap moisture.
I can easily put lateral pressure and cause the pivot area to bend.
Smaller handle. 😁

Recon 1 Pros:
Overall much more robust.
Stronger lock
Larger handle.
No liners to trap moisture.
Blade lockup is tight: much harder to cause deflection.

Cons:
Saber ground blade will offer a bit more resistance.
Handle ergonomics are not great when holding the knife edge up in your palm.
Pocket clip will shred pockets, and is short.
Larger handle. 😁
 
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I would get the Recon 1 every time.
Pros: Much better steel, a DLC finish to fight rust, its bigger (and more importantly, thicker) and easier to hold onto with gloves or when using lots of force at work, there are less parts to get dirty and rusty, the blade is thicker with a tougher grind and tip (while still being a great cutter with its pretty high grind), and it is just generally a better knife and a better value all around in my opinion. The Endura is kind of flimsy. And the locks tend to wear out and get play in them from what the internet tells me. Not to mention, they have a huge hole in the blade, which doesn't exactly help them in the strength department! I never really used mine that I got, I carried a few times and I just couldn't get over that flimsy feeling. You can bend the knife and watch it flex. The pivot loosens up with just a few flicks out and the blade can be pushed side to side in the handle. Those Seki City knives just do not inspire confidence! Plus, they are pretty darn overpriced these days with their mediocre steel and plastic handle, rough machining, poor fit and finish and the yearly price hikes.
Cons: The pocket clip on the Recon 1 is really tight! May not fit on work pants? You could adjust it, but the Spyderco has a better clip probably.
Misc: The pocket clip on the Recon 1 is really tight! It wont fall out of your pocket. :D
 
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Recon 1 , stronger knife with better steel and Tri-ad lock .

If you want serrations on a work knife , however be aware that CS serrations are a PITA to sharpen compared to Sypderco .

I'd go PE on the R1 . :cool::thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
Recon for me too.

I love the Endura. It is my most carried knife over the last few years. But you picked the worst offering of the Endura out there imo. I don't like a metal handles. I find them slick. I don't like fully serrated knives either. The two biggest pros it has going over the Recon is a better pocket clip (the 4 way is nice) and the lower price.

If you consider the Knifejoy Endura 20CV PE over the serrated stainless, this would be a much more difficult decision for me.

With you being in Canada, I don't know what options you have. Btw, the clip point runs about $20 cheaper than the spear point here in the US (on average).

What about the CS Voyager in AUS10A? 4" blade, 9.25" overall plus the triad lock and it comes in a drop point version.

Ohh, since you don't mind metal handles it seems, the CS Code 4 might be a few dollars cheaper albeit it comes in under your 8.75" min.

Is the 8.75" min length set in stone?
 
rycen said:
Boy it seems like the recon is winning so far. If it were me I’d look a little past the knives and consider the company behind them.
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What bad thing did GSM do now ? :rolleyes:

Edit : I mean "what other bad things " . ;)
 
rycen said:
Boy it seems like the recon is winning so far. If it were me I’d look a little past the knives and consider the company behind them.
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this is something important to consider. my thinking right now is the same Taiwan manufacturer is still making the recon 1, and they've been real good with consistency.

so even with the gsm management disappointment...chances are good to get a good knife...for now anyways...who knows when they move makers to a cheaper maker down the road. I wouldn't put that past them.
 
el gigantor said:
I’m looking at buying an every day beater knife. I’m all about “the right tool for the job”, but it’d be cool to have a blade that can go the extra mile. The two I’ve narrowed down to are different from each other, but they both have a good reputation as a workhorse.

Cold Steel Recon 1 spear point S35VN or Spyderco Endura 4 Stainless handle VG-10 Serrated.

The E4 weighs a bit more and the Recon is about $30 CAD more expensive. I know all about the steel differences, ergo differences, serrated vs plain edge, etc. If you were in the market for a kick ass work knife in this general size and price bracket, which would you pick and why?

(Also, feel free to suggest other blades at least 8.75 in overall length if I’m missing something good.)
Click to expand...

Depends on your daily needs. The Recon 1 is significantly more robust and the blade steel will hold an edge quite a bit longer, but it's a BIG knife with a BIG blade. If that works for you, then then I would choose that. The Endura has a more maneuverable blade profile, which you may find more useful in everyday work.
 
I feel like the first few posts completely glossed over the fact that the OP stated the E4 model he was looking at is the SS handle version. You’re not flexing steel handles and there’s no worry about the pivot.
 
CVamberbonehead said:
I would get the Recon 1 every time.
Pros: Much better steel, a DLC finish to fight rust, its bigger (and more importantly, thicker) and easier to hold onto with gloves or when using lots of force at work, there are less parts to get dirty and rusty, the blade is thicker with a tougher grind and tip (while still being a great cutter with its pretty high grind), and it is just generally a better knife and a better value all around in my opinion. The Endura is kind of flimsy. And the locks tend to wear out and get play in them from what the internet tells me. Not to mention, they have a huge hole in the blade, which doesn't exactly help them in the strength department! I never really used mine that I got, I carried a few times and I just couldn't get over that flimsy feeling. You can bend the knife and watch it flex. The pivot loosens up with just a few flicks out and the blade can be pushed side to side in the handle. Those Seki City knives just do not inspire confidence! Plus, they are pretty darn overpriced these days with their mediocre steel and plastic handle, rough machining, poor fit and finish and the yearly price hikes.
Cons: The pocket clip on the Recon 1 is really tight! May not fit on work pants? You could adjust it, but the Spyderco has a better clip probably.
Misc: The pocket clip on the Recon 1 is really tight! It wont fall out of your pocket. :D
Click to expand...
I’ve owned four Enduras and have never witnessed rough machining or poor fit and finish.
 
I have both and love both. The Endura is far, far more pocket friendly and won’t shred your pocket. I tend to carry the Endura when fishing, hiking etc for the light weight and capable blade. For harder use, the Recon 1 hands down, just bigger, more robust and the Triad lock just make it tougher. Just to throw another one into the mix, I like the ESEE/Blue Ridge Knives Avispa in SK5. The price is agreeable, blade is thin and slicey in a tough alloy that will patina with use. A great beater for the price point.
 
Completely different knives other than both having a tip and an edge. So it is apples vs oranges, or pizzas vs burgers.

Endura is lighter, easier to carry, and more nonknife people friendly. The SS handle ones are not widely available. Recon 1 is much beefier, with better steel, better value (IMO) and widely available.

Eventually you want to check out bith. So The obvious answer is to get both. But If pressed to get one right away,I would get the Endura first.
 
Murdamooktemp said:
I feel like the first few posts completely glossed over the fact that the OP stated the E4 model he was looking at is the SS handle version. You’re not flexing steel handles and there’s no worry about the pivot.
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nope.
 
Recon1 like mentioned or the Bush Ranger which is also a nice knife just a tad smaller 3-1/2" blade, but a pretty comfy handle as long as you don't have XL hands.
 
Murdamooktemp said:
I feel like the first few posts completely glossed over the fact that the OP stated the E4 model he was looking at is the SS handle version. You’re not flexing steel handles and there’s no worry about the pivot.
Click to expand...
Good catch, I stand corrected.

Saying that, when a SS Endura develops blade play, there is no way to adjust the pivot. I have read that it's possible to hammer it tighter, but have no experience in that.

Also, the weights of both knives are essentially the same.
 
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