Endura Generation Question

[v8r]

I am hoping there is a Endura Expert out there that can post a picture that shows the different generations. I recently traded for a Endura SS Pe. It is not the current generation, it has the pointier tip and the handle is different. I do not have the original box so I do not know which one it is,It also has the Boye dent in the lock bar.Thanks for any help.

[rycen]

Sounds like a first gen SS with AUS-6 steel.

[Blades]

What is the blade steel?

[vampyrewolf]

integral clip is prior to 96-97
barrel bolt clip without dent is 98-2002(2001?) <-- my favorite version
barrel bolt clip with dent is 2002-2008(?)
current gen (3 screw clip) is 2008(?)

Sounds like you have the 2002-2008 version

[Joe Internet]

It sounds like the Endura 3, which I believe was the first to use the Boye dent.

The blade steel on the SS E3 was Aus-6, while on the FRN E3, it was VG-10. The Aus-6 was used on the stainless models to help offset the additional cost of the handle.

As far as stainless models go, if you prefer a pointier, more delicate tip, the E3 is the way to go. If you want a less pointy, more durable tip, get an E4.

[The Deacon]

I'm not an Endura expert by a long shot, but if it's the SS version, and not the current one, it would be an Endura II. They first appeared around '97, the Boye dent was added around 2003 and the SS Endura 4 replaced it around 2006 (you can download the catalogs from around then HERE and determine the exact years those changes appeared).

[v8r]

aus6 blade steel,pointy tip, and different handle. It is not the current handle.

[Joe Internet]

The Spyderco catalog lists an Endura 3 SS: http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=4

Maybe the E3 is really an E2 late model? That would explain why I can find new E2s listed, but no E3s.

I would love to see a sprint run of E4s with the older style blade. Maybe E5 will come with something a bit more in-between.

[The Deacon]

In '97 when the all stainless Endura was introduced it was called the C47 Endura II. An all stainless version of the Delica, the C43 Delica II was introduced at the same time.

In '99 both the Delica II and Endura II lost their unique SKU numbers and began using the same SKUs as their respective FRN versions. That continued until 2002, when the "II" designation was dropped from both knives and they simply became the C10 Endura SS and C11 Delica SS. That continued until 2006 when it was replaced by the Endura 4 SS.

To the best of my knowlege, no version of either the Delica or Endura was ever officially referred to as a Delica 3 or Endura 3 while they were in production. When the D4 and E4 were introduced, the "3" monikers were assigned, more or less unofficially, to the FRN versions with the barrel bolt clip which Spyderco had originally called the '"98" Delica and Endura due to their year of introduction.

AFAIK, aside from the addition of the Boye dent somewhere along the line, the Endura SS remained unchanged from '97 thru '05. Most folks here refer to it as the Endura II. The online catalog entry may be a misprint, as they added the numbers to the older knives more or less as an afterthought when placing them in the discontinued models section.

[Jester]

In a nutshell, there have been three "versions" of SS Endura.

1- No Boye dent
2- W/ Boye dent
3- E4 redesign

Additionally, the earliest of the first version may have had patent info on the clip. I once had one and lost it so I'm not 100% positive.

Yours appears to be the second "version" (some would call this a late Endura II; others, an SS E3). I EDC a Delica from the same era. It also suffers from an identity complex.

[tonydahose]

not much to write that hasnt aready been written above. there are some pics in the endura file here. the last pic is one of my group shots and you can see the one with the boye dent.

edit: Here is a thread with most of my enduras, you should find a pic in there somewhere :)

[v8r]

Thanks for the link Tony! :D