Field Test: Spyderco Endura 4 FFG Knife "Lessons Learned"

Thanks for supporting me on Patreon: www.patreon.co... Taking out the Spyderco Endura 4 FFG, a primary EDC knife, for some fun & simple lessons in bushcraft with my young son and then hard-testing the lockback design. Watch for some excellent learning experiences and field work well beyond the intended limits of the knife. A great knife, but not invincible, as you will see.
"Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood." - Fred Rogers
Hat tip to Blade HQ/Knife HQ for their series of field tests which was the inspiration of this video. Music from iMovie and guitar is me.
Thanks for watching and subbing!
My next video on the Delica 4 ZDP-189
• Review: Spyderco Delic...
Spyderco Endura 4 Specs:
4-way Clip. Torq screw-together construction.
Skeletonized steel internal liners, phosphor bronze washers.
FRN Bi-Directional textured handle.
VG-10 steel full flat grind plain edge blade
David Boye dent, w/ enlarged opening hole
Spine jimping
Length Overall: 8 3/4" (222 mm)
Length Closed: 5" (127 mm)
Hole Diameter: 1/2" (13 mm)
Blade Length: 3 3/4" (96 mm)
Cutting Edge: 3 7/16" (88 mm)
Blade Thickness: 1/8" (3 mm)
Weight: 3.6 oz. (103 g)
Made in Seki-City, Japan

[@dmp762]

I'm impressed the knife held up as well as it did. Some people don't think the full flat ground blade is strong enough, but this video suggests otherwise.

[@Pinki2019]

The lockback couldn't withstand that beating, but when you baton with a folder you're supposed to release the lock first so that doesn't happen.

[@ding174]

Yeah not good to baton with lock engaged. Experience has shown that if you need to in an emergency you do not lock the blade. As far as the lock mechanism failing it's due to frame flex when you were striking the blade and the bottom of the handle was resting against the log creating tremendous leverage against the lock.

[@dutch_blades]

Tested my stainless endura but I would die if this happens to my Damascus sprint one >.< Painful footage indeed... But awesome video nonetheless. And it's great that you're taking the kid around and about, teaching him. Keep up the great work!

[@555Gear]

Thank you for watching!

[@CanItAlready]

Is it not generally recommended that if you must baton with a folder that you disengage the lock first?

[@grizzlycountry1030]

Time to introduce your son to the wonderful world of victorinox.

[@randomescu]

if is a Victorinox multitool like my SwissTool Spirit or a SAK with saw blade. i love Victorinox, i moved to them after my Surge failed me. but folding knifes are bot for batoning. at least use them with the blade semi-opened... anyway, the video was awesome, few people are willing to test their tools till destruction.

[@47LeDoux]

That is a AWESOME video. Thumbs up to you for teaching your son.

[@555Gear]

Thank you for your support! Proud father here!

[@carlosnumbertwo]

BTW, I fucking love this knife. Im 31 and I've been carrying blades for 16 years and I have never found a blade more robust for the price.

[@carlosnumbertwo]

Take one apart.... The part that holds the spring mechanism that pushes on the assembly is made of plastic (back spacer). Its shit. Yes it holds out of factory. But after a few years it goes to shit. All thats holding that spring is literally a 3mm piece of plastic fastened by the liners. I drilled that shit out, stuck a pin in there through the liner and g10. Right back to knew, I cant get the damn thing to close on me. Yes I have I have what looks like an extra pin on my Endura 4. But at least I can beat on it a few more years.

[@555Gear]

Good info man!

[@Surago]

Won't lie, subscribed just because you were out with your kid. Struck a chord. Not saying I shed a tear or anything....definitely not two.

[@555Gear]

My time with my kids is the best part of life. Honestly I come back and watch just for the memories. Thank you for the sub, you're welcome here!

[@patrickkarrigan8071]

555 Gear good reason for making videos right there 11/10

[@Spitzrock]

Wonderful attitude about the outdoors and your son is adorable. Great video!

[@555Gear]

Yep I love my little guy! Thank you for watching!

[@bonesjones1658]

Please, to all the morons commenting not to use a folder for batoning, he knows that. He SAID THOSE WORDS you are saying to him again! He also said he wanted to test it. TEST. It is basically a destruction test for us viewers, not something to do regularly when using the knife. Watch the whole video... damn

[@PerceptionVsReality333]

If you want a really tough lock back knife get a Cold Steel Recon-1 or AD-10 lite. Both of those are right around the same price as the Endura4 but cheaper.

[@survivalmike]

Nice job.....i love my enduras and seeing you going outside with your boy and show him important skills is just awesome. Thx for taking us along. You earned another sub. Take care and all the best from Austria Cheers Mike

[@scullkrusher]

I wonder if getting one of those $15 Spyderco kits and just replacing the torsion bar in the lock back would prevent it from failing when you baton. The lockface is probably still in great shape but the spring has wear from being open and closed many times.

[@555Gear]

Dude that is an outstanding idea. I will look into that. Thanks for your comment!

[@Darksjeik]

There's a vast difference between pressure and shock. Most quality folding knives can withstand tremendous pressure on the lock. For instance, the axis lock of the Benchmade Adamas will take a pressure of over 1.600 lbs before failing which is absolutely insane. Shock is a totally different story though, it's possible to ruin the lock by simply spinewhacking it on a 2x4. The pressure will be far less than 1.600 lbs but it will be instant and aggressive, deforming the liners that hold the axis bar. Same with the Endura, sudden shock will send forces through the construction making the steel parts bounce off each other disengaging the lock.

[@555Gear]

I agree, that's a significant distinction! Thanks for commenting!

[@CarlosCruz-cu1km]

Agree. The pivot is the weak spot for a folder. It wont fail if used for cutting. I created vertical play in my adamas after chopping branches. Sent it to Benchmade, they put in new blade and other parts and said to send it in again if that happened again. Adamas is a stronger knife though, love endura but not a hard use knife.

[@deenoberry3360]

I believe Spyderco will inspect sharpen and repair you our knife for $25 plus shipping. I sent a heat up endura 4 came back sharpened and less scuffs on blade.

[@noah.s95]

Wonderful video, thanks for making it. It looks like the lock failure was caused by the pivot and screws loosening, and then the lock bar being popped out of the tang.

[@555Gear]

Yep, the lock is definitively popping out because of lateral play!

[@astrazenica7783]

You see son, when you beat a small lightweight plastic folding knife with a log for an hour, it... folds. I hope you've learned something today

[@ggtRiiiPpy]

You could buy him one of those wooden spyderco dragonfly kits or plastic folder kits to get him use to the mechanics of a pocket knife ~ great video! I will teach my kids the same lesson when the time comes !

[@555Gear]

Thanks! That's a great idea!

[@FloridaRaider]

nice channel. I appreciate finding the complexity in simplicity, especially when integrated into elegant design.

[@555Gear]

+FloridaRaider Thanks for your comment and welcome!

[@itb20v]

Glad to see the knife I've been carrying holds up very well though I probably won't put a folder to do a fixed blades task I'm glad to see it's toughness, I'm switching over to a ZT 0550 for my daily and figured what the heck might aswell buy my younger brother a new knife so I grabbed him an endura to.

[@555Gear]

Yeah I was definitely testing to an extreme especial for a lockback. Sounds like you have some great options for carry knives, that's cool of you to pick up an Endura for your brother!

[@ThePatrick6122]

The Endura combined with a nice folding saw would make a solid woods bummin kit.

[@FoxSolomon1]

Best endura review on KZbin

[@MrMatthew1969]

Uhg! you weren't kidding! that was painful to watch! but if your going to break knifes, thanks for choosing spyderco. I live in Colorado, so break as many of them as you want. just make sure you buy more.

[@555Gear]

I surely will buy more Spydies!!

[@erickyanez6297]

This is a very beautiful video! Very unique content. Came looking for the Endura info, and I got way the heck more out of it. Good job sir and thank you!

[@petepetro1]

nice video...just bought the ambitious...love spyderco knives

[@555Gear]

Thanks! Big spyderco fan here too!

[@user-yz6ez6js2h]

A very nice test！I have a C07PS steel handle that used it for daily cutting or self defense.I can not use spyderco knives as C07 C81 C11 for outdoor activities because I think these spydercos strong level are not enough

[@CrowFeatherQuill]

good damn man I really thought you were gonna stab that barrel! my heart stop so I paused the video...sooo painful! got me there buddy. nice review

[@555Gear]

Haha, that would be crazy LOL. Thanks for watching!

[@bryantherocker]

When you Tighten it up, did the lock fail again ? pls reply sir

[@minister_of_films2635]

I don't know

[@randomescu]

small axe or a tool with wood saw blade. im here because i intend to buy a Spyderco Endura 4 serrated.Mostly because i like serrated blades. ill edc it, but my SwissTool Spirit is way better as edc then any folding knife. your video show us that Endura is more then enough for edc. im surprised that you sacrificed it to show its not proper for batoning, i would do that with a 10 dollars folding knife. but again, thanks for this torture test!

[@thelastsamari7923]

Good job dad 👍🏻

[@jclaudemoran504]

The lock failure is to be expected when batoning, because you are forcing the knife to push the lock(at the pivot) upwards, which let's the knife loose. Maybe better luck on a folder with a different locking mechanism.

[@555Gear]

Agreed!

[@freedom661100]

That knife didnot fail. You can still skin a moose with it.

[@lionheart3142]

Yeah I hate lockbacks. Frame locks and axis lock way to go if not full tang in my opinion.

[@555Gear]

They are definitely more advanced locks for sure

[@eqlzr2]

Your son is a lucky kid. So, just to be clear, did you tighten the pivot screw down and find that the knife became relatively safe to use for daily use afterwards? It wasn't clear to me in the vid. Thanks.

[@audrylka]

sorry I didn't watch a full video,but I gave you thumbs up just because you have your boy with you plus a spydi......peace

[@555Gear]

Thanks!

[@opusxpn]

Spyderco Endura one of my favorite knives, great video. keep them coming

[@555Gear]

One of my favorites too, thanks for watching!

[@nettleequipmentevaluation3790]

1k GAW sent me here. I really don't understand why you would break a knife doing things that would be pointless even if you were using a more appropriate tool for the job. What do you accomplish by hammering a folding knife into the side of a log?

[@danielharjuwallin3214]

That plastic frn i think its the name of that handle scales its the problem i have a spyderco caly 3.5 whit steel liners och carbon fiber scales and it also a back lock have never fail me and My son how is 11 years old have try it out Hard whit fire prepertion and many task you dont use a folding knife to but it works fine but it is a expensiv knife

[@markmenzies7238]

Great knife and awesome price! Nice video keep up the knife reviews bro.

[@555Gear]

Thanks for watching!

[@matusknives]

Did the lock give up, or actually the pivot?

[@ding174]

And the blade was in the log as far as it would go. Of course the lock is going to give . Even with a fixed blade knife in the same situation it ain't going anywhere - not with the blade buried to the hilt and the handle against the log sheeeesh!

[@Hemispherical1]

Great knife vid man! Keep em coming, your doing a great job!

[@555Gear]

Thank you very much! The positive feedback is really getting me excited to do more!

[@Hemispherical1]

I bet, I've got so many videos I need to get done and posted, im new , but im figuring it out!

[@crux-cd6vu]

So, did it tightened back up?

[@555Gear]

The lateral flex did, but I've not tested the lockup since I posted this...I may send it in for a service...

[@SupaFlyFatGuy859]

GREAT video! And your boy is all kinds of awesome bro! Leo is an AWESOME name too! I've only known one person named Leo. He's one of the best men I've ever met. GREAT friend of mine for sure!

[@555Gear]

Thank a ton! Yeah I love my little man! Leo is a family name but I've liked every Leo I've met!

[@movinachapston3571]

Can u us it to pick food out of your teeth if you don't have any dental floss and you are out in the wilderness beyond civilization, where no man has trod? Also does it have a nifty can opener like some of the other cool gadgets for opening a brewski? If not then how many eons does it take to skin a deer so you can have a great nutritious meal in the dark so people can't hear what your doing behind the grass hut? Also, how do you sharpen it to convert to a serrated knife?

[@555Gear]

All valid questions, the answers to which we shall never know

[@bhilton5898]

Damn!!! That's a comment

[@BOOSTEDLASER]

any chance the lock just opened because your hand hit the release?

[@MiniDevilDF]

you can see when the thumb gets closer to the release, right after is when it opens.

[@Denbeeer]

I love this video mate! Tyvm

[@555Gear]

Thank you for watching!

[@Denbeeer]

yw

[@SpareSpacesuit]

looks like the pivot screw came loose

[@BrianRoosa]

I like the video! Keep them coming!

[@mark4prez20]

Tighten that pivot. May solve the problem.

[@RSLtreecare]

Very nice Vid, like your philosophy. Respect your environment and learn from it.

[@555Gear]

Exactly! Thanks for watching!

[@torch_ss5797]

Good kid.....good knife.....good video!

[@555Gear]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@isaiahbergel8331]

do a torture test on the kershaw link

[@rogersappington968]

Folding knives are not designed to be batoned Spyderco’s are great knives when used as they are designed to do Its unintelligent to beat a folding knife and wonder why it doesn’t hold up

[@robabbott381]

Yeah. You need to show him how to use an ax and cut a quart of wood and make a fire. Perhaps for a stove to heat a cottage.

[@ChuckRichardsHandmadeKnives]

Great vid

[@555Gear]

Thank you!

[@401als]

nice video

[@555Gear]

+Thanksman thanks man! :)

[@cplaussem]

Limits of the lockback? Use a 250.00 one.

[@EllemijnBulthuis]

Wow you have really much awesome videos! I'm going to subscribe. :D

[@555Gear]

Thanks man!

[@compassionplease7380]

You used the knife for tasks, outside of its design parameters. That’s why it failed. Most knives aren’t built for batoning and no folding knives are. Axes or saws for splitting wood. But I liked the way you made it a teaching moment.

[@frenchieedc7602]

For me folding knives are not made for this...

[@jonathanrodriguez2831]

nice knife

[@michiganedge4770]

Time for cold steel! Lol still a great knife, I love vg-10 steel

[@sputumtube]

Would you run a marathon wearing wooden clogs? Would you use an umbrella instead of a parachute? A folding knife, ANY folding knife, is unsuited to this type of work. Use a fixed blade or a small axe/hatchet. Teach your son what to do right - not what to do wrong.

[@555Gear]

He's learning how to used fixed blades and axes too, I was fine with using a folding knife to make him comfortable with initially being out in the woods. In general your point is fair though...

[@sputumtube]

Eric Jonas What's a Derp...?

[@sputumtube]

***** WOW!! What a clever comment - you really should be on television.

[@hubolds1946]

+paul greenwood yeah what's a derp?

[@growingindependence6636]

great channel ,subbed ,liked .

[@555Gear]

Thank you! Welcome!

[@houseboatrob4238]

Your not missing nothing the lock system is poorly engineered and it will fail mine does the same thing.some good advice get rid of it if you haven't already.

[@cplaussem]

Dude......You are using 1 of spyderco's best lightweight edc knives to chop wood. I wouldn't even use it as personal protection. It IS made to cut boxes and whatnot. What the heck is your point here?

[@tjsmith112]

I would have to disagree on this knife only being good as a letter opener or box cutter. I would of course rather carry a gun, but I don't go anywhere without my waved endura 4.

[@cplaussem]

Agreed. I just thought the vid was unrealistic. I carry the endura4 almost every day. It is my knock around knife but it takes a lethal edge. I use it for chores and save the zt/benchmade for self defense. The endura4 is a great knife for the money. I'm sorry you can't carry a firearm. I believe the 2nd gives us that right. Thankfully......illinois has a cc law now. I just have to take the class. Take er easy.

[@555Gear]

cplaussem Thanks for your comments and definitely get a ccw permit if you can, it's a big step forward for IL. I agree the video is unrealistic in a sense. A lot of people trash Spyderco's liner locks as not "hard use" enough but I think the torture I put it through shows it's up for most ordinary tasks. Kinda what I was going for! Best, Andrew @ 555 Gear

[@bonesjones1658]

cplaussem For me, the point of the video was I get to see exactly what an endura will handle and what it won't. These tests are actually very helpful, and I would even say.. important! I personally would not want to bang up my knife to the point of failure, but I do like to use them and not worry about an unexpected failure. This video helps demonstrate where you can safely draw the line before failure. "The endura is a lightweight edc" yes it is but it is also touted as being a tough knife.. so is it really? Many knives are touted as being extremely tough, but the only reason that we as knife lovers know which are the real deal and which aren't, is because of these videos. The only reason I know I can baton with my recon 1, and it be undamaged, is youtube videos, because I wouldnt do it myself. People debate over whether these are viable things to do with a knife - I think the debate is silly. Of course you should not baton with a folding knife. Of course it is not an ideal use of a folder, with an endura even more so than a heavier blade like a recon 1. But should not and may not, doesnt mean you can not. Again, it doesnt mean you should do it, but after all this is just a test.

[@cukedaddy]

Eric Jonas Well stated.

[@stype9779]

"Pure" thing :-)

[@olechuga2]

Sir, respectfully, you are a "brave" father, in having your son close to an opened SPYDERCO Endura!

[@scottfumc]

"1k GAW sent me here"

[@pzkpfw917]

Spy Endura is very good knife for cutting. What you do in this video is not normal. It's criminal.

[@julesgardet659]

Pointless point ... Pun intended

[@christianramlal8062]

son is cuite

[@kansasstrongbeer]

You really seem like a nice guy but, you were using the wrong knife for what you were doing. Why would you baton a folding knife to failure? If you were going outside in a camping situation why would you just pack a folding frn knife? Why on earth would you baton without a damn hatchet?

[@555Gear]

You're 100% right a hatchet is the proper tool for that kind of work...that said, batoning is a good way to show the limits of the lockback design, which is what I was aiming to show. Thanks for watching and your comment!

[@bonesjones1658]

o w UGHHHH what is with people and these comments. IT WAS A TEST. If he did this shit all the time he would be an idiot. BUT IT WAS A TEST! He had the camera going. He was showing us the limits of the knife, which is very helpful information. Tests should be done on knives, even folders! Tests just like this. Lol, now we arent talking about my own knives - I wouldnt beat them up to the point of failure ( I like my knives haha) but I would watch a guy on youtube do it, and then I would know where to draw the line on hard use of the knife.

[@philipross1066]

you are the biggest dumb ass on the face of the planet

[@philipross1066]

thats to o w by the way

[@beaucrawford538]

test a cold Steel folder!

[@josearmijo2204]

Dylan Castle v

[@jamesoncross7494]

I liked your video until you started using the knife like a 3 year old. Kinda dumb.

[@danofiremano]

I really just want the 7:45 seconds of my life back that I just wasted watching this pointless video. At least it wasn't a complete waste as I know who I won't be subscribing to anytime soon.

[@555Gear]

+Dano DeMano haha yeah no way to get that time back, Mr. Friendly Comment Man! Don't let the door hit you on the way out! :p

[@danofiremano]

+555 Gear The door never hits me because I know how to use a door. I wish you luck in all you do Sir!

[@555Gear]

haha same to you.

[@olechuga2]

Sir, I think YOU need to learn to respect that weapon, for what it is, and can do. Having your son around, while you play with this weapon is foolhardy, like when in the opening seconds of your video and your son grabbed the weapon by the length of the upright blade. "Batoning" with a folding blade is foolish also. That Spyderco is a formidable weapon in itself, but a knife "cut in two" for its carrying ability should not be used for that purpose. If you want to teach your son about wood-gathering and preparing for an emergency, striking a folding knife is not the answer. Although I think that your son is too young to understand and/or be exposed to edged weapons at this time in age, the proper tool(s) to perform batoning would have been a knife, or maybe a small hatchet. Yes, I know that you are never "too young" to learn survival skills, but in reality, I don't think that your son, at his tender age can comprehend what you are trying to teach him. He is more curious and wants to play. Besides as a normal person myself, just walking abouts, I would probably feel a little bit leary, if I encountered a three-year old with a folding knife strapped to his waistbelt!

[@tomsmith9937]

When you Tighten it up, did the lock fail again ? pls reply sir

[@555Gear]

Still failed!