What steel would you like to see in a future Endura?

[brancron]

I think it's fair to say that for a lot of people who like using knives to actually cut things, the Endura comes very close to the "ultimate" knife due to its thin, long, slicey blade, and its ergonomics, light weight, and relatively low price. So I was curious what steel people would like to see in a future Endura.

My personal preference would probably be Cru-Wear, but to be honest, I'm sure I'd buy pretty much any new Endura that comes out! (I've collected all the steels so far, with the exception of AUS-6 and AUS-8.) In the poll above I was limited to 10 options, so I just threw in steels I'd be interested in, plus a 10th option for "other."

Final note: this poll is not intended to try to induce or pressure Spyderco into doing anything, of course. I'm just curious in the community's preferences. I'm sure there are going to be many future Enduras in all sorts of awesome steels down the road. Maybe that new Larrin Thomas steel that's in the works....

[archangel]

Not all steels are easily available where the Enduras are being produced... I think K390 is pretty much the best case scenario. Or do you disagree?

[brancron]

Not all steels are easily available where the Enduras are being produced... I think K390 is pretty much the best case scenario. Or do you disagree?

That is true. But I assumed that some of the more recent Enduras (K390, S30V, etc.) involved steel being imported to Japan for the purpose. (There was also a Cru-Wear Delica.) The K390 Endura is excellent, but I think the V-Toku2 one might be my favorite so far. It takes a keen edge so easily and performs great at a low edge angle. Not that K390 is a slouch by any means.

[archangel]

From what I understand, import of steel is done very seldom. But yeah, it could happen. Like you said, there was a Cru-Wear Delica.

I voted for 3V, a steel that is being used next to never. But I have my own selfish motivation.

[attila]

K490, please.

K490 is:
-nearly as wear resistant as M4.
-tougher at the same hardness, so let’s run it much harder than M4.
-has Cr between M4 and Cru-wear, so with a low temper, it would have corrosion resistance between the two, possibly closer to Cru-wear.
-can be hardened to 65 HRC

[The Meat man]

Maybe that new Larrin Thomas steel that's in the works....

100% YES! I would love to see Spyderco use this sometime in the near future.

[brancron]

K490, please.

K490 is:
-nearly as wear resistant as M4.
-tougher at the same hardness, so let’s run it much harder than M4.
-has Cr between M4 and Cru-wear, so with a low temper, it would have corrosion resistance between the two, possibly closer to Cru-wear.
-can be hardened to 65 HRC

Never heard of that, and now I want it! Z Knives indicates it’s nearly double the toughness of M4. Pretty sweet.

[Zive]

Two radically different options appeal to me:

•HAP72 (futuristic, high-alloy)
•Aogami/Aoko 1 (traditional, pure)

Have purchased several Böhler/Crucible/Carpenter Seki knives, but I wouldn’t mind seeing some domestic Japanese steel get some love.

[Snacktime]

Some japanese laminated steel, blue or white or toku v. With a marbled pattern frn handle.

[Abyss_Fish]

3v will always be my favorite regularly available tool steel, and I think we've seen one model in it from spyderco and it's been discontinued since the beginning of time.

Would I prefer a g10 Native 5 in 3v? Yes. But I'll take it where I can get it.

[steelcity16]

From what I understand, import of steel is done very seldom. But yeah, it could happen. Like you said, there was a Cru-Wear Delica.

I voted for 3V, a steel that is being used next to never. But I have my own selfish motivation.

They are importing more and more into Seki. I don't think anything is out of the question now. There has been S30V, S35VN, S90V, M390, K390, Cruwear, LC200N, etc. I know there is a 4V Seki model in the works. So I would say vote for whatever! CPM-3V sounds good to me!

I finally have my first 3V folder coming soon! I "won" (the opportunity to purchase) this one of a kind folder on BF the other day. :eek: I would like to see some from Spyderco at some point. The Endura would be a great model for 3V.

[steelcity16]

I voted AEB-L because I think it is a popular steel that is being under-utilized by Spyderco. As is CPM-3V. I think we will eventually see 4V and Cruwear exclusives, but I think some dealers need to step up and create some "families" of AEB-L and 3V knives. I just posted my new incoming 3V folder above, and I have a set of semi-custom AEB-L kitchen knives coming from LT Wright any day now. I think these two steels would bring a lot of folks from the fixed blade and bushcrafting world over to Spyderco. AEB-L is usually likened to being a stainless 52100. One of the toughest stainless steels, easy to sharpen, etc. I hope we see it more.

[Wartstein]

....
Final note: this poll is not intended to try to induce or pressure Spyderco into doing anything, of course. I'm just curious in the community's preferences. ....

On a sidenote: Sometimes people seem to perceive such polls or the proposal of variations of a model as "pressuring" Spyderco or "demanding" something from them.
Tbh, this almost annoys me a bit. I´ve never read anything where a member actually said something like "Spyderco, do make model X, or I am mad at you".
I think proposing new versions, "dreaming" about ones personal ideal Spyderco, even politely asking why they don´t do a model in a certain steel or whatever is only a GOOD thing:
- It shows that people have a real and detailed interest in Spydercos products, and actually try their knives and think about them.
- Like in any passion or hobby it is only natural that one comes up with their own thoughts or prefer a particular steel but a particular model that does not come in that steel for example and utter their wish for it.
I mean, this is a place where knife-nerds and knife-enthusiast get to talk - imagine this would be in person, while having a beer, OF COURSE folks would often times say then "I love model X, but I´d so want to try it in steel Y"
- And I think Sal and Spyderco do take notice of such wishes and proposals, and it will be a small part of what they take into account when evaluating the market or what people like to see.

So, to cut a long story short : As long as it happens in a polite and constructive manner, such threads are only good imho, and belong to those I like the most. :)

[Wartstein]

Ok, added to my post above now on the actual topic

- Out of the list I voted XHP, though I know this is not a "Seki-steel".
But I love the performance of XHP in my Chaparral, and would like to try it in a more "regular" blade (concerning thickness) too (for I can´t really tell how much of the great performance of my Chap is due to the XHP itself, and how much "just" to the thin blade)

- And, yes, in a way I´d like to have an Endura in a really basic tool steel like O1 - hear me out!

I´d never want an O1 Endura as my ONLY Endura. But to have one in my Arsenal would be nice. I´d give it rough Micarta scales, let the blade rust and patina, and make it a real "old school" folder.
I´d not carry it when I´d expect something like a lot of cardbord cutting, but as ONE of my EDC knives I´d appreciate how extremely easy something like O1 gets an extremely sharp edge, I would not care having to give it a few passes on the SM each day, and I´d enjoy the "style" and old school "rusty" looks of the knife... and also the probably lower price.

[steelcity16]

Ok, added to my post above now on the actual topic

- Out of the list I voted XHP, though I know this is not a "Seki-steel".
But I love the performance of XHP in my Chaparral, and would like to try it in a more "regular" blade (concerning thickness) too (for I can´t really tell how much of the great performance of my Chap is due to the XHP itself, and how much "just" to the thin blade)

- And, yes, in a way I´d like to have an Endura in a really basic tool steel like O1 - hear me out!

I´d never want an O1 Endura as my ONLY Endura. But to have one in my Arsenal would be nice. I´d give it rough Micarta scales, let the blade rust and patina, and make it a real "old school" folder.
I´d not carry it when I´d expect something like a lot of cardbord cutting, but as ONE of my EDC knives I´d appreciate how extremely easy something like O1 gets an extremely sharp edge, I would not care having to give it a few passes on the SM each day, and I´d enjoy the "style" and old school "rusty" looks of the knife... and also the probably lower price.

Funny you say that, I started typing up a response about O1 and A2 in the under-appreciated steels thread, but then I thought I would get people saying those should stay in small bushcrafting fixed blades so I didn't post it. Good to see someone else mention O1. Like you said, I wouldn't want it to be my only Endura, but I would like Enduras/Endelas in O1 and A2 for fun beater knives.

[kobold]

Voted Other, having Maxamet in mind, feeling this steel should be in more knives, especially in popular models.

[Menipo]

Voted other. M390. For me, the best all-around knife steel-

[Salty Dog]

Lc200n

[Wartstein]

Lc200n

So essentially a Pac Salt 2 ffg WITH liners, right?
(I know you were not happy with your unlinered ffg Pac Salt 2)

[Salty Dog]

Lc200n

So essentially a Pac Salt 2 ffg WITH liners, right?
(I know you were not happy with your unlinered ffg Pac Salt 2)

Yes bro, one with liners would be nice.