Well the weather here in the Northeast isn’t cooperating enough for me to get out there and plant carrots tonight but I still wanted to get a blog up, so tonight it is a quick gear review of the Spyderco Endura 4 
Being a big fan of all things sharp and pointy, I think that a good knife is an often overlooked tool when it comes to projects around the house and yard. A knife has a multitude of uses while gardening: trimming twine, cutting off dead leaves or suckers, and cutting off those annoying peat pots. I find that a nice light weight knife with a pocket clip is comfortable to have in pocket so you’ll actually have it when you need it. Another feature that I think is a good idea is a one-handed opening feature. These come in several different styles including studs or holes. These devices let you draw your knife easily from your pocket and smoothly open it with one hand. This comes in really handy as your other hand can continue working.
I found the Spyderco Endura 4 to fit all of my criteria. Admittedly it is a little bit more knife than the average gardener will ever need but I am a sucker for a hand filling blade. The Endura is light weight, has an adjustable pocket clip, and is made of a premium steel (VG-10).
The Endura weighs in at a svelte 5 ozs. to someone who has been lugging around a full size traditional folder for the past 15 years this is a welcome change. The Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon (FRN) that makes this knife so light is also nicely patterned to give a texture that makes the knife seem glued to your hand in or out of gloves.
The pocket clip has 4 adjustable positions that allow it to be carried in either pocket for lefties or righties. The 4 positions also allow you to choose whether to carry the knife in a tip up or down position.
The Endura also has a premium knife steel. VG-10 is tough and doesn’t rust easily. I think this makes for a good rough use knife. I have no worries about digging or rooting in wet dirt with this blade as I know it can hold up to the abuse without having to run and clean it right away. The VG-10 sharpened easily and cuts like a Lightsaber!
For $56 it isn’t cheap but it is a quality piece and has a ninja-esque quality to it that a gear freak like me can’t easily resist! I can’t recommend it enough.
Update 9/13/11
I’ve been carrying my Endura everyday since March and I’m still in love with it. I’ve used in the garden as well as at work. I did bang it up a bit during the cleanup from Irene but it is a cosmetic boo-boo only. I needed to get a rope over a tree limb and had to use my knife as a field expedient throwing weight. It hit the road hard and the FRN chipped.
And the pocket clip has taken a bit of a beating…
All in all I can’t recommend this knife enough. It is still laser sharp with only some touch up on a ceramic rod and some stropping on cardboard. It will be with me for years to come!
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You had me at sharp and pointy! The spyderco looks just like the wea… tool I’ve been searching for. The one handed feature will come in “handy” in many situations. I think it will come into play best when I’m hard at work down at the beach, and the burlap I’m using doesn’t want to cooperate.
I must say, Mr. Backyard Pioneer, you truly are a pioneer. Thanks for the great advice you offer. I’ve used your advice in the past and will continue to do so in the future. I look forward to your next installment with great fervor!
Thanks, Mike. I appreciate the feedback. I’ve got a few other Spyderco’s but the Endura is in my top 3. If you need something a little smaller the Delica is basically a 3/4 Endura.
Was the iPod in there to show the size of the knife or can you recommend some good gardening music?
It was for a size comparison. As far as music I’m a podcast guy while gardening or splitting wood these days. If it is going to be music I’m leaning Country these days. Check out Josh Thompson!