Endura 4 or Delica 4?

[Smudge]

Looking for an inexpensive knife to carry for general purpose stuff (misc cutting) and possible use as self defense as a last resort. I am a police officer, and the knife will be carried either clipped in a pants front pocket (which I really do not like this method of carry), or most likely in a pocket which I have made in the top of my bullet proof vest. Any suggestions are much appreciated. Thanks

[markg]

Of the two... The Delica is perfect. It is just right. Sometimes the Endura seems too big. There is not much you can't do with a Delica, it would serve you well and not look too much like a weapon.

[spyderknut]

Smudge, for your purposes, I'd go with the Endura as long as the intended pocket is deep enough. Are you thinking serrated, partial or plain? I would think serrated would be preferable as it is always ready to cut almost regardless of maintainance.

[Smudge]

Smudge, for your purposes, I'd go with the Endura as long as the intended pocket is deep enough. Are you thinking serrated, partial or plain? I would think serrated would be preferable as it is always ready to cut almost regardless of maintainance.

Which ever one I end up choosing I will likely get a combo edge or fully serrated, but I would not likely get a plain edge.

[bob7]

Smudge,
Hold both the delica and the endura in every possible grip to see if you can gorilla grip the lock into releasing when under stress. For me, the old delica passes this test better than the old endura. Haven't played w/ the new ones yet.

bob7

[Spud Man]

Get a combo edge endura. Comparing my delica to my dad's endura, the endura is longer when folded, but not too much heavier or bulkier. It also feels more solid and secure in my hand. The only reason I don't carry an endura is that it would scare people too much. You wouldn't have that problem since you are a police officer. Also, the longer blade would be much better suited to sd and would work better in combo edge.

[WOTANSON1]

I'd get an Endura, the ones I have are very easy to carry in a pocket and I prefer the larger Endura over the Delica, edge configuration is your choice but I like SE.
Cheers,
Rob

[markg]

You wouldn't have that problem since you are a police officer. Also, the longer blade would be much better suited to sd and would work better in combo edge.

Well yes and no...

Whip out a big knife in front of the wrong person, who talks to the right administor... And you can get hassled.

I live in a larger city, that has been known for racial and police issues. Use your knife for "self-defense" in the wrong situation would not only cause legal issues for the LEO, but just might cause a city wide riot costing millions in damage and potiental for loss of life.

A LEO has a lot of tools at their disposal for personal defense, ranging from impact tools, Tasers, firearms, pepper sprays... et al. If you have to fight with a knife, you are having a really bad day. :) How much "training" has a average LEO had in the use of a knife for defensive reasons? Compare that to the other items they have. What is their dept's policies on the use of a knife?

My point is this... pull the Endura out and use it in front of a soccar mom, who is a taxpayer... A police officer is a public employee remember. There is accountablity there. If you need a bigger blade, maybe one of the Rescue models is better, and more justifiable.

Using a knife against a suspect is really going to cause problems for you and everyone for a long time. If it was life and death, maybe it is worth it. Still to be avoided.

The point of this tome... I would recommend the Delica. Small, useful... and you can still use it for SD if you have to. However less likely to raise eyebrows if used for routine work.

Just my 2 cents adjusted for inflation :)

[Smudge]

Well yes and no...

Whip out a big knife in front of the wrong person, who talks to the right administor... And you can get hassled.

I live in a larger city, that has been known for racial and police issues. Use your knife for "self-defense" in the wrong situation would not only cause legal issues for the LEO, but just might cause a city wide riot costing millions in damage and potiental for loss of life.

A LEO has a lot of tools at their disposal for personal defense, ranging from impact tools, Tasers, firearms, pepper sprays... et al. If you have to fight with a knife, you are having a really bad day. :) How much "training" has a average LEO had in the use of a knife for defensive reasons? Compare that to the other items they have. What is their dept's policies on the use of a knife?

My point is this... pull the Endura out and use it in front of a soccar mom, who is a taxpayer... A police officer is a public employee remember. There is accountablity there. If you need a bigger blade, maybe one of the Rescue models is better, and more justifiable.

Using a knife against a suspect is really going to cause problems for you and everyone for a long time. If it was life and death, maybe it is worth it. Still to be avoided.

The point of this tome... I would recommend the Delica. Small, useful... and you can still use it for SD if you have to. However less likely to raise eyebrows if used for routine work.

Just my 2 cents adjusted for inflation :)

I would only use a knife if all else had failed. I know that we carry lots of weapons, however it does happen where you are out of everything and just maybe a knife would save my life. It would be very very very rare, but if I am going to carry a knife I mind as well carry one that I could also use if it really hit the fan. Thanks for your response though - it makes a lot of sense as public perception is everything.

[deeker]

How about one of those blue-handled Delicas? Even less aggressive looking than the black, but it's not the new model...

[markg]

Or get the Police model... If someone complains, just point to where it says "Police" on the blade! :)

[bancu]

If you're leaning towards fully serrated and vest carry, I'd take a look at the D'Allara Rescue. It has to be one of the most underrated knives out there.

Any of the D'Allaras will probably be heavier then even the Endura 4 but its hand filling grip and Ball Bearing Lock are hard to beat.

On top of it all it has that 'Rescue' thing in its name going for it.

[Slvgx]

How about one of those blue-handled Delicas? Even less aggressive looking than the black, but it's not the new model...

The pictures are of the old Delica, but Sal has said they plan on doing the blue Delica's with the new design.

[The Deacon]

Assuming the handles on the new models are no longer than those on the current stainless versions, you might want to consider the size of your hands, and whether a full four finger grip is important to you. Even with my smallish hands, the Delica only affords three fingers of secure grip and one kind of dangling off the end. Doesn't bother me, but for some folks that would be a deal breaker.

[5150]

pretty hard to go wrong with a combo edge endura, all things considered. it's my utility/beater knife and has done all i've asked of it. :)

[Peter1960]

Hi Smudge!

Besides Endura/Delica - plain, combo, serrated - consider also the "waved" models of both which are in planning status. They would be much faster open out of the pocket for self-defense as last resort, than the "non-waved" standard models.

The bad thing is, that you have to wait until they will be ready for the market, but I don't think, that this will be a very long time.

[Mox]

you might want to consider the size of your hands, and whether a full four finger grip is important to you. Even with my smallish hands, the Delica only affords three fingers of secure grip and one kind of dangling off the end.

You can only fit 3 fingers on a delica and you think you have smallish hands? :eek:

I wear medium-sized gloves (my hands are smallish, I think. I'm not sure how you decide what size your hands are) and I *easily* fit four fingers on the delica. :)

The Endura feels pretty big in my hands and it's too long to be legal in my locale. That didn't keep me from ordering a waved blue one though! :D

[KKNIFEMAN]

The new endura would give you the most options --check if its ok with your departments General Orders and if its ok with your department you dont have to worry about what a P.C. citizen might think as youd most likely be using it to assist them anyway.

Spaeaking of "Assists" -have you thought about what Markg and others said..I think a :spyder: assit style sheep foot is safer for seat belt cutting but could easily be used as a SD last resort and wouldnt be much a LE hating lawyer could attack in court.

[raven]

Hey Smudge, This is just my opinion. I am a LEO, and I would carry/get the Delica. It is a little more "Citizen/Admin Friendly". As far as using it for SD, I believe it would be adequate. We often speak of having to use our knives for SD as a last resort. To me, "Last Resort" means a "Lethal Force Encounter". I'm sorry, but if that means me going home to my wife and son, I'm not going to care what the Citizens or the Administration think. Our lives are the ones that are on the line on a Daily Basis, Not Their's. I carry what is going to keep me safe and in one piece, and what will allow me to continue going home each day. No matter what we carry or use, there is going to be that one Citizen or that one Administrator, that will find something to complain about. Most Administrators forget where they came from or forget what it is like to be out on the streets (if they were on the streets at all). The Citizens that are so quick to complain and point the finger, need to Put on OUR Badge, Strap that gun on their hip, and walk in our shoes for a day, so they could see first hand what we have to deal with on a daily basis. Then they could voice their opinions. But, most likely they won't, because maybe, just maybe they'll see our jobs in a whole new understanding. I'm not speaking for just us. I'm speaking for all LEOs, COs, EMTs, Firefighters, all of the First Responders that have to see the things and live with the things we do. These jobs, are jobs that we chose to do and took an "OATH" to uphold, because the "Citizens" chose not to do, or "Admin" chose to ignore (Not All of Them, A chosen few, and we all Have Them). We all do our jobs to the best of our Abilities. That's what the Citizens and Admin need to let us do...................Our jobs, the best we can, with proper tools necessary, no matter what it looks like, or what size it is. We are the one's out there, and we know what works for us. Just allow us to do our jobs to continue to help others and keep others safe, the Best We Can. I sincerly Apologize for the rant here. This is just MHO. Oh, Smudge again, I would get the Delica :D . Take Care.

God Bless :)


-raven-

[Irish Lager]

Even with my smallish hands, the Delica only affords three fingers of secure grip and one kind of dangling off the end. Doesn't bother me, but for some folks that would be a deal breaker.

Well Deacon if you consider your hands small i hate to see what you would say of mine. I have no problem with the 4 finger grip on my delica in fact the handle is too large for me to do a 3 finger. I consider the dragonfly to be a 3 finger knife, but for anyone to only fit 3 fingers on the delica they have a decent size hand IMO.

Back to subject.
I would say go for the endura, edge prefrence aside it has more blade for heavier cutting, and you have all the grip you could desire for both utility and SD situations. Dont get me wrong im not selling the delica short, but i think for heavier use the endura will excel.

Raven, very well put.
J