Please recommend 3x Endura 4s for my use

[cjk]

Say I'd like to have 3x Endura 4s to use.
Discontinued SKUs are fine, but I don't want anything super collectible as I will want to carry and use them. ie, no $300+ jigged bone limited editions.

Let's limit the top acquisition price to around $200ish. Preferably less, but stuff costs what it costs.

Blade swaps are fine. I won't care if there's a 4th "spare parts" knife in the drawer too as a result.

Aftermarket scale recommendations are fine (ie, get Endura model XYZ and add scales from company or person XYZ). Any scale additions don't need to come under the $200ish, ie, knife + scales can be over $200.

I don't have any special use requirements. I'm low speed, high drag. 98% of my "collection" (cough) is PE. I do have the Endura sized LC200N Salt in SE which doesn't count in the 3.

I'm going to limit myself to just three.

I'm interested in what you would choose given the loose rules (or limitations) I have set above. I'm hoping this exercise will be both fun for y'all yet still educational for me.

Thanks in advance,
Christian

[steelcity16]

K390
VG10 Wharnie
H1 SE Pacific Salt

[z1r]

That's a pretty solid set of recommendations! ^^^^^

[kennethsime]

K390
VG10 Wharnie
H1 SE Pacific Salt

Yes.

[JSumm]

If you are trying to keep it under $200, you probably need to avoid the K390 version.

Pac Salt H1
S30V Teal version. I think Knifejoy had it pretty cheap $90 at one time.
VG-10 color of your choice.

[Evil D]

1. Lone Wolf Distributors Glock Tool Endura, because it's waved and has the punch tool and costs less than a regular Endura. Even if you never use the punch tool on a gun it could prove handy. Sharpen it to a point and have an awl? It's not suitable for prying though.

2. Wharnie, I'd go with SE myself but I'd have a wharnie either way.

3. K30

[olywa]

K390
20CV
VG-10 Saber Grind

Think about another Pac Salt 2 in H1 PE. You won't regret it.

[bobnikon]

H1 SE Pac Salt 2 (this is a completely different beast from your SE LC200N)
LC200n PE Pac Salt 2 - this could be swapped for the VG10 (in that case CE), but I would strongly consider the LC200N
K390 PE

Can always spruce one of the salts up with Ti scales (my choice would be LC200N) and the K390 with micarta if you so choose.

I don't like the longer wharncliffs personally, so would go delica in a wharncliff, but that wasn't part of the question.

And since I am off track anyway, Maybe the Endela line? I would go with an Endela in 20CV and an Endela in VG10 CE, and possibly go for the wharnie Endela, I haven't tried the mid length wharnie. Only issue is not a lot of aftermarket scales, though more are popping up.

Cheers

[VooDooChild]

Foliage green ce
V-toku 2
Titanium damascus (Over your price but you should do it anyways.)

[cjk]

I would contend that the H1 Salt knife is technically not an Endura, so I could have a PE H1 Endura sized salt AND 3x Endura 4s while still following my rules.

I very much appreciate all the recommendations though!!

[legOFwhat?]

Pakkawood Hap40 KC exclusive
K390 SE
K390 PE

Edit to add you can replace one of these for ZDP-189 and BRG.

[p_atrick]

The teal Endura is at National Knives if you are interested. I believe they have a ZDP, which won't be produced any more so I'd definitely pick one up.

[wrdwrght]

K390
VG10 Wharnie
H1 SE Pacific Salt

Yes.

Yes, indeed. However, if you were wanting to keep it all-Japan, ZDP-189 in place of K390 is not a big drop in performance.

[steelcity16]

I would contend that the H1 Salt knife is technically not an Endura, so I could have a PE H1 Endura sized salt AND 3x Endura 4s while still following my rules.

I very much appreciate all the recommendations though!!

In that case I would pick 3 out of these 4. In addition to getting an H1 SE Pac Salt of course! :)

K390
VG-10 Wharnie
20CV (knifejoy exclusive)
Green VG-10 Combo Edge

[dan31]

Definitely grab a ZDP-189 Endura 4 while you can. It’s my daily around the house chore and taking a walk knife. I have a back up in the box.

[brancron]

I'm an Endura addict, and have it in every steel except AUS-6 (don't need that one!). My favorites:

1. VG-10 wharncliffe
2. V-Toku 2
3. Super Gold

[Wdr65]

1.) 20cv Knifejoy exclusive
2.) ZDP-189
3.) VG-10 Wharncliffe. (SE is my preference but either way it’s a cutting machine.)

20cv has become my favorite all around Endura. Between corrosion resistance and ease of sharpening.

ZDP because of how well it handles abrasives, I cut rope and strap that are gritty often and it holds an paper slicing edge a long time in those materials.

The Wharncliffe because it’s slide negative angle grabs material and helps power through it. Close to a hawkbill but more versatile in my opinion.

[abbazaba]

I have exactly three, so I guess that's what I'd recommend

ZDP-189
K390 with Micarta scales
V-Tuko2

If that's all I carried, I would still be happy.

However, I think I just got the Endura I always wanted....

[cjk]

...

However, I think I just got the Endura I always wanted....

well played!

[Ranger_Ike]

Foliage green G10 with 20cv blade swapped from knifejoy. This just sounds like a great combo to me.

Stainless handle model with k390 blade swap. I think the patina’d blade would be cool on the stainless handle.

Cutlery Shoppe orange/black zome hap40/sus410 to add some color to the set.

Haven’t done the math, but you might have another knife worth of parts left over.