In September of 2013, I was 18 years old and in my senior year of high school, and I had been working at the local grocery store as a cashier and customer service supervisor for almost 2 years. I had also been carrying knives daily for 2 or 3 years. Like many a young knife knut, I started with a SAK from my father, but quickly discovered things like pocket clips, locks, and thumbstuds. I tried every folder I could get my hands on, some terrible, some decent, some good, some $10, some $60. I rarely carried the same knife for over a month before itching to try something new. But then I traded a knife for a Spyderco Endura, a rather unique one, with a combo edge VG-10 blade and the green scales of a ZDP-189 Spydie. I'd never owned a knife like this, with the thumbhole, the perfect clip, slim and strong, sharp and corrosion resistant, all in one. I posted about my first Spydie on this forum, and was thrilled and impressed when Mr. Sal himself thanked me for enjoying his creation! I made great use of the knife for a few months, but grew to dislike the combo edge for most of my EDC tasks. Eventually, I traded the knife for a different one, not a Spydie, in a plain edge. After a month or two with that knife, I was missing the quality and the functionality of my Spyderco. I got a Tenacious, and I really took the time to get to know the knife, to master the manual thumbhole deployment and tip up carry that I now adhere to religiously. I carried this knife all summer, selling or giving away most of my other knives which no longer appealed to me. Which brings me back to last September.
I decided I finally knew what I wanted in my knife after experimenting with so many knives, carrying and using, then selling or trading them. I decided I was going to get a nice knife that had everything I had learned I liked, and I was going to stick with it. I wanted a Spyderco. The useful designs, my experiences on this forum, the sharp, flat ground blades, comfortable and functional designs, the Spydie hole...
On September 21, 2013, my Spyderco Endura FFG in bright blue finally arrived
The quality, comfort, secure deployment, and color of my first FrankEndura combined with the flat ground blade of my Tenacious. It was love at first sight. 
So much so that I was staring so intently at my new Spydie while opening a package, that I didn't see the dogs barreling towards the door to bark at a passing car, running right into me in the process! I looked down after recovering from the furry tackle to see my brand new blue Endura stuck in my thigh to the bone, with blood squirting out like a water pistol! It was a rocky start, but I knew it wasn't the knife's fault. Over two months of crutches, stitches, and lots of PT later, things were back to normal and my Endura was happily home in my pocket, every single day, working hard- especially at the grocery store.My Endura has been a good companion all year, opening hundreds and hundreds of boxes, cutting the zip ties off of new reading glasses for elderly customers, slicing apples so I could dip them in peanut butter, making my giant crossbow for physics class, and even saving the day on my cousin's fourth birthday, slicing his cake and opening all of his new toys still stuck in their bomb proof packaging. Been on dozens of hikes and camping trips, rifle matches and Appleseed shoots, many a kayaking adventure, and seen at least a dozen States. Every time I needed a cutting tool, my Endura was always riding in my pocket, out and open in my hand the moment my brain told it to be. 1 year of truly every day carry later, having only been sharpened once a month or so, and only ever oiled twice, she still locks up perfectly, has not a speck of corrosion, and I still can't help but slip it out of my pocket and admire the smooth, familiar action, the grippy blue handles that become a part of my hand, and that white satin VG-10 blade that can still shave hairs or cut receipt tape.
After a year of solid use, I can not recommend this well crafted tool enough. My Spyderco Endura has absolutely never let me down, never failed to do a task, never broken, chipped, rusted, or even once made me regret buying it. Thanks Sal and the Spyderco crew.
Today, 9/22/14, after exactly 365 days of faithful daily use, my Endura is taking a back up spot to my brand new Paramilitary II, which, even after a day, I absolutely love. I have no doubt it will serve me just as well, and it fits the blade length guidelines of my University a little more closely
But my Endura will still be with me in part- the worn, scratched and beaten black clip is on my Para 2, part out of sentimental value, and part out of my preference for black pocket clips. Since I wrote this dramatic write up, you should go do yourselves a favor and pick up an Endura if you are looking for a good knife. It won't let you down.
Sold, traded, and then sold a few things to get the PM2 haha.
