Large back lock folders: Endura 4 vs Police 4 vs Stretch 2 XL

[Snacktime]

My favorite is my Serrated Police 4 in k390, the slight bow the entire length of the blade with thumb ramp is hands down the winner. Next is the Native Chief because some times I don't want a thumb ramp that day. I have never really been a super big fan of Stretch 2 XL even though I own both the serrated and straight edge versions. The base of the knife is flat and I end up wearing a curve section of the blade out based on my use. I actually prefer the Stretch 2 original over everything other spyderco lock back but the police 4. I like finger choils so I have gifted my enduras away and never replaced them.

Well, I got a Stretch 2 XL first. Got a deal that was too good to pass up.

It wasn't one of the ones that I originally inquired about, but I also got the Endela PD#1 Sprint.

Both are in the mail. I'll report back when I've had a chance to use them. Thanks for all the advice, input, and pictures

You need to go buy each in serrated too!

[xceptnl]

No love for the Chief? Arguably the best ergonomics and easiest to maintain.

Compared to an insingo blade:

against the S2XL:

The chief is compelling, and I really appreciate the comparison pics. But I'm a big fan of the thumb ramps. The lack of the thumb ramp is a big reason why I never loved my Manix 2, and I ended up selling it.

I understand your sentiment. Big thumb ramps, even those with hoods are terrific. I love my Millie, ATR, PM2, E4 D4, Police 4, Caly family, etc., but the ease of carry without a pronounced thumb ramp was a huge draw to the FRN Native which was my first Spydie. The Chief makes that XL form factor feel small. YMMV.

[JBoone]

Endela was what I carried today.

[JBoone]

Endela was what I carried today. Stretch 2 is prob my favorite out of those mentioned but I have not had my police long enough to get a good feel for.

[8th_Note]

Well, I've gotten my hands on some Seki back lock folders. And I've got some opinions about them. I now have a Stretch 2 XL, an Endura, an, Endela, and a Leafjumper (have not tried a Police yet, but I'm on the lookout for a good deal on one)

My least favorite is the Stretch 2 XL. I don't like that the handles are linerless. It feels very blade-heavy in the hand and I just really prefer a knife that feels more balanced and substantial in hand. I think I will be selling this one soon, as it just doesn't do it for me

The Endura is great, as far as size and and feel. I really like the long, narrow blade. But the one that I got is an older sprint in Hap40/SUS410, and the action and the lock on it are very stiff. I bought it brand new from Bento Box and I suspect it will get better as it breaks in. This one is a keeper

The Endela feels even better in hand than the Endura. It's a really good size for my size XL hands and thin fingers. Very comfortable. The action is great on it. And the PD#1 steel is incredible so far. I really like this Endela and it will be carried often

The Leafjumper was not one that I had originally considered. I bought it on a whim, to get over the free shipping threshold on my Bento Box order. And I was really surprised how much I like it. The overall length and blade length are slightly shorter than the Endela, but the sharpened edge length is identical. The handle shape is insanely good. The handle-forward design with the very short ricasso makes it a slicing machine, and the tip is very fine. And the K390 is just an absolute beast of a steel. This one is my favorite of the group so far. I can see this knife becoming one of my favorites of all-time very easily. I really hope that @sal will keep this line going and we'll see more steels for the Leaf/Rock twins.


I'll update when I'm able to get a Police in my collection. And I'm going camping this weekend, so I'll get a chance to try out these knives some more in real world use situations. I appreciate all of the input so far

[Wartstein]

folders.jpg

Well, I've gotten my hands on some Seki back lock folders. And I've got some opinions about them. I now have a Stretch 2 XL, an Endura, an, Endela, and a Leafjumper (have not tried a Police yet, but I'm on the lookout for a good deal on one)

My least favorite is the Stretch 2 XL. I don't like that the handles are linerless. It feels very blade-heavy in the hand and I just really prefer a knife that feels more balanced and substantial in hand. I think I will be selling this one soon, as it just doesn't do it for me

The Endura is great, as far as size and and feel. I really like the long, narrow blade. But the one that I got is an older sprint in Hap40/SUS410, and the action and the lock on it are very stiff. I bought it brand new from Bento Box and I suspect it will get better as it breaks in. This one is a keeper

The Endela feels even better in hand than the Endura. It's a really good size for my size XL hands and thin fingers. Very comfortable. The action is great on it. And the PD#1 steel is incredible so far. I really like this Endela and it will be carried often

The Leafjumper was not one that I had originally considered. I bought it on a whim, to get over the free shipping threshold on my Bento Box order. And I was really surprised how much I like it. The overall length and blade length are slightly shorter than the Endela, but the sharpened edge length is identical. The handle shape is insanely good. The handle-forward design with the very short ricasso makes it a slicing machine, and the tip is very fine. And the K390 is just an absolute beast of a steel. This one is my favorite of the group so far. I can see this knife becoming one of my favorites of all-time very easily. I really hope that @sal will keep this line going and we'll see more steels for the Leaf/Rock twins.


I'll update when I'm able to get a Police in my collection. And I'm going camping this weekend, so I'll get a chance to try out these knives some more in real world use situations. I appreciate all of the input so far

Nice lineup!

- Sadly Rockjumper and Leafjumper got discontinued already...

- Endura is great indeed, and the HAP40 variant you have actually my favorite plain edge folder of any brand!

- The Endela actually offers a bit more cutting edge than the Leafjumper (one of the reasons why I slightly prefer the former) and is another top favorite of mine.
The handle feels a tad even better than the Enduras indeed, it looks perfectly proportioned and its SE version is a real cutting monster. (I'd HIGHLY recommend getting both Leafjumper and Endela in SE too.. "problem" could then be though that perhaps you won't have much need for the PE versions no more... )

[8th_Note]

I also got me a Resilience. I know it's not a back lock folder, but it is big. I really really like this thing. It seems like it will be a great hard use beater that I don't have to worry about. I want to get one of the S35VN versions now. I like the handle-forward design and the non-existent ricasso. The blade is literally all cutting edge. very nice

[vivi]

I also got me a Resilience. I know it's not a back lock folder, but it is big. I really really like this thing. It seems like it will be a great hard use beater that I don't have to worry about. I want to get one of the S35VN versions now. I like the handle-forward design and the non-existent ricasso. The blade is literally all cutting edge. very nice

IMG_20250401_145846052.jpg

honestly one of my favorite overall designs for similar reasons. I really wish we'd see more large folders with a full cutting edge and no choil.

[xceptnl]

I also got me a Resilience. I know it's not a back lock folder, but it is big. I really really like this thing. It seems like it will be a great hard use beater that I don't have to worry about. I want to get one of the S35VN versions now. I like the handle-forward design and the non-existent ricasso. The blade is literally all cutting edge. very nice

IMG_20250401_145846052.jpg

honestly one of my favorite overall designs for similar reasons. I really wish we'd see more large folders with a full cutting edge and no choil.

I love the Resilience as well, long wide blade. I wonder if we could possibly see a remake of the C25 Centofante or maybe the C50 if @sal was interested. Liner lock or the slide lock, perhaps in a 4" flavor?

[cjk]

No love for the Chief? Arguably the best ergonomics and easiest to maintain.
...
against the S2XL:

....

I seem to think that the Stretch 2 XL is great, but tend to think the Chief is a bit too large, but your picture shows that I am completely full of beans.

[Wartstein]

I also got me a Resilience. I know it's not a back lock folder, but it is big. I really really like this thing. It seems like it will be a great hard use beater that I don't have to worry about. I want to get one of the S35VN versions now. I like the handle-forward design and the non-existent ricasso. The blade is literally all cutting edge. very nice

IMG_20250401_145846052.jpg

I only know the smaller version Tenacious (LW in S35VN), but it offers still pretty much the same cutting edge length as the Endura.
Really nice blade and super convenient linerlock, great ergos and yes, the S35VN is really good.

Don´t think that this will be any less good in the larger format, rather even better!

[vivi]

No love for the Chief? Arguably the best ergonomics and easiest to maintain.
...
against the S2XL:

....

I seem to think that the Stretch 2 XL is great, but tend to think the Chief is a bit too large, but your picture shows that I am completely full of beans.

lol. I've seen this a lot on the forum.

"I won't buy a Chief / Stretch XL / Manix XL because they're too long in the pocket."

five minutes later they post a photo of the endura they're carrying in the whats in your pocket thread

[Wartstein]

...
lol. I've seen this a lot on the forum.

"I won't buy a Chief / Stretch XL / Manix XL because they're too long in the pocket."

five minutes later they post a photo of the endura they're carrying in the whats in your pocket thread

I am actually one of those who do consider length in pocket with larger folders, but rather starting perhaps with Millie size and definitely with Police size

Endura is still fine, and pretty on par with Stretch XL when it comes to length in pocket.
The Chief is just a tad longer in pocket (as far as I recall from the brief period I had mine) due the placement of the clip, but still ok.
Never had a Manix XL, but from all I can see I´d really like how it carries (NOT too long in pocket) cause the clip is mounted pretty far from the handle end.

On a sidenote: My general strong dislike for deep carry clips might partly stem from my preference for longer folders: Obviously a deep carry clip effectively makes those longer in pocket.

[cjk]

No love for the Chief? Arguably the best ergonomics and easiest to maintain.
...
against the S2XL:

....

I seem to think that the Stretch 2 XL is great, but tend to think the Chief is a bit too large, but your picture shows that I am completely full of beans.

lol. I've seen this a lot on the forum.

"I won't buy a Chief / Stretch XL / Manix XL because they're too long in the pocket."

five minutes later they post a photo of the endura they're carrying in the whats in your pocket thread

I'm glad you're entertained.

[raygixxer89]

No love for the Chief? Arguably the best ergonomics and easiest to maintain.

Compared to an insingo blade:

against the S2XL:

Great pictures. I want to love the Native Chief but the only thing holding me back is the lack of liners.

[xceptnl]

That last photo confirms I was reading the specs correctly and why I never felt inclined to pick up a S2XL. I can't say I ever had problems from my linerless C41 Natives or the Chief.

[raygixxer89]

I also got me a Resilience. I know it's not a back lock folder, but it is big. I really really like this thing. It seems like it will be a great hard use beater that I don't have to worry about. I want to get one of the S35VN versions now. I like the handle-forward design and the non-existent ricasso. The blade is literally all cutting edge. very nice

IMG_20250401_145846052.jpg

I bought the Resilience for the same reason and I've come to appreciate what a great edc knife it is.