Endura 4 FFG for hiking/camping?

redyps04 · #1

I just ordered an Endura FFG. This is out of the norm for me as this is the first "big" knife I have bought to put to use- mainly for hiking and some light camping activities. But I'm a little worried about it's strength as the blade seems pretty thin and slender, especially near the tip. I'd also like to know that I could use it for some light/moderate batoning if I had to. I got it purely on a whim simply because it was the cheaper option for a bigger knife, but now I'm starting to second guess my choice. Did I mess up? Should I have just saved up and sprung for the Milli or a fixed blade, or can the FFG Endura take a mild/moderate beating?

DallasSTB · #2

I don't have a many Spydies, but I DO have an Endura G10 FFG that I carry for camping. The blade size is good for cooking and food prep, the blade is stout enough for most moderate cutting and slicing chores, and the whole package is quite thin and light for its size. I've had a couple of Militaries, and I'd say that I prefer the Endura for this task.

That said, I wouldn't recommend splitting wood with any folding knife, including a Military. Get an economical Kabar or ESEE fixed knife for that, or a $10 hatchet.

Waco · #3

My Endura G10 has served me well on camping/hiking trips, but I mainly used it for food preparation at the campsite, not for digging or cutting up firewood. I'd hate to do that to a folder that I cared about. There is always at least one kid who wants me to sharpen the end of his stick and it does that well. :)

DrChimRichalds · #4

waco kid wrote:What does "FFG" mean? My Endura G10 has served me well on camping/hiking trips, but I mainly used it for food preparation at the campsite, not for digging or cutting up firewood. I'd hate to do that to a folder that I cared about. There is always at least one kid who wants me to sharpen the end of his stick and it does that well. :)

FFG = Full Flat Grind...regards to the blade style. The blade is flat instead of say, a sabre grind which has two levels.

EDIT: The Endura 4 FFG can definitely take a beating. I own a FFG Delica 4 and it's one of my few actual "user" knives. Like another member mentioned, I would save the heavier duty chores around a campsite for a larger fixed blade. You can only do so much with a folding knife, but an Endura is one **** of a slicer and all-around utility blade. You're good to go!

redyps04 · #5

waco kid wrote:My Endura G10 has served me well on camping/hiking trips, but I mainly used it for food preparation at the campsite, not for digging or cutting up firewood. I'd hate to do that to a folder that I cared about.

Yeah digging and chopping firewood is abuse for almost any knife that size in my opinion. Like I said in my post though, I am just wondering if it would stand up to a mild beating, not necessarily outright abuse.

JD Spydo · #6

Nothing at all wrong with the Endura model for just about any cutting chore. There's a reason that the Endura and Delica are stalwart, flagship models that just won't go away.

Now personally I like the Military model a little bit better for many reasons but I would never scoff at an Endura if I couldn't afford one of the better/upper end models. Especially an Endura with ZDP-189>> I sure wish I hadn't missed the boat on that one.

Endura for outdoor activity>> YES SIR!!!

.357 mag · #7

The endura is one of 2 knives I carry for camping/packing. The other is my cold steel recon 1 in carbon V steel. The endura is my light duty carving, food prep, and cutting rope knife. The CS gets the wood splitting, digging, prying knife. Good combo!

The Mastiff · #8

Especially an Endura with ZDP-189>> I sure wish I hadn't missed the boat on that one.

J.D., they are still in the stores. The SE was discoed IIRC, but they can be found on the secondary market, and possibly some less travelled brick & mortar stores with NOS.

The BRG, FFG ZDP PE Enduras are still here and cut like lasers.

Joe

Minibear453 · #9

As long as you don't twist or slam the blade, you'll be fine. I use it for camping, and it works for everything. I've also heard the FFG doesn't hurt the blade strength, because the Saber grind is just as thin in the tip and blade, where the chips usually happen. I've never broken a knife blade, so I'm not sure about the limits of FFG. I'm pretty sure you need to try to break the knife though.

Jazz · #10

redyps04 wrote:I just ordered an Endura FFG. This is out of the norm for me as this is the first "big" knife I have bought to put to use- mainly for hiking and some light camping activities. But I'm a little worried about it's strength as the blade seems pretty thin and slender, especially near the tip. I'd also like to know that I could use it for some light/moderate batoning if I had to. I got it purely on a whim simply because it was the cheaper option for a bigger knife, but now I'm starting to second guess my choice. Did I mess up? Should I have just saved up and sprung for the Milli or a fixed blade, or can the FFG Endura take a mild/moderate beating?

I have to say that I was very pleasantly surprised at how thick the blade is in the FFG. I say "give 'er". Use it and use it well.

- best wishes, Jazz.

bada61265 · #11

was going to write something and add imput to this discussion. but i cant bring myself to take anyone who would consider batoning with a light folder or really, any folder seriously.

araneae · #12

bada61265 wrote:was going to write something and add imput to this discussion. but i cant bring myself to take anyone who would consider batoning with a light folder or really, any folder seriously.

Perhaps review this. http://www.spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51307

To the OP: As mentioned, batoning is a bad idea with any folder. Pack a $15 Mora to keep your Endura company and you're good to go.

redyps04 · #13

bada61265 wrote:was going to write something and add imput to this discussion. but i cant bring myself to take anyone who would consider batoning with a light folder or really, any folder seriously.

You probably shouldn't have written anything then. Sorry, but I just have little tolerance for people who misread my posts and then say something borderline rude. I said light battoning, and only if I had to. Obviously, I would not try to chop firewood, oak trees, or Ford F150's, aircraft engines, etc. Let's use common sense instead of posting simply to stir people up and mock them. There are other sites for that.

I_like_sharp_things · #14

For cutting I wouldn't hesitate to use the Endura. I wouldn't baton with anything Bigger than a stick unless I had a fixed blade though.

Drkknight614 · #15

I wouldnt baton or chop with a folder no matter how beefy or solid it felt. I just picked up a OD g10 endura yesterday (god I love it) and it is one solid piece. I would still not use it to batton. Get a dedicated fixed blade for heavier camping chores. You can still use your endura for food prep, simple cutting tasks etc. If you had to, you probably could cut small wood without damaging it if you were careful. I believe cutlerylover on youtube cut down a small sapling with his endura.

redyps04 · #16

Ok. It seems that the meer mention of the word "battoning" with a folder throws up a few red flags around here regardless of any context. When I say light battoning, I do not, BY ANY MEANS, mean heavy duty chopping. Even tough i realize that battoning of any kind goes against normal use and thus the warrenty, the context I was using it in is with very small items such as small sticks ( like "I like sharp things" pointed out) and maybe at most a very small branch as, for example, a makeshift tent post or something similar. Sorry to have alarmed everyone, but this post seems to be getting far off track by a very small technicality.

chuck_roxas45 · #17

Hitting the spine of any folder is never a good idea, IMHO. Some folders can take it better than others but I wouldn't do it if I have a choice.

JaM · #18

I say go for it. The Endura can take it I am sure. Light batoning like you described should not be too big an issue.

Chris_Himself · #19

The Endura FFG should plow through any sensible cutting task, I loved mine!

It's just as strong as any other knife and I found that the FFG assists in it's cutting, and doesn't hinder it in any way with it's lack of "durability".

Zakk · #20

Hi spydie forum.

Im about to buy an endura 4 too so this thread looks interesting to me.Its good to see that its not me thinking about light chopping with folders :D And i think best economical choice for this is cs recon1 with triad lock or rajah series(little big imo :D )
Please no rage cus i offered a cs in a spyderco forum xD

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Endura 4 FFG for hiking/camping?

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