C10 Endura

C10 Endura

The C10 Endura is one of Spyderco's most recognizable knives. It was first introduced in and won Blade Magazine "Overall Knife Of The Year" in 1990. The Endura was one of the first models that Spyderco made with a tip-up clip. It as gone trough 4 major revisions since its inception. It also debuted with its little brother the C11 Delica, they have gone through most major and minor revisions together.

Generation I

The first generation was made with FRN handles with a molded clip. The clip was prone to breaking off if it was bent too much so the next batches had thicker ones. (Spyderco is known for always refining its products and listening to their customers concerns). The steels used in these were either G2, GIN 1, or AUS8, sometimes the blade would not be marked with any type of steel at all, in that case it is the G2/GIN 1(one in the same)or AUS8. The handle came in three different colors black, green and red. (in future knives for Spyderco the color red has strictly been used for trainers only) There was also a black coated blade with black scales. The blade came in all 3 variations, full serrations, partial serrations and plain edge although all weren't made with every color handle. There are a few of these enduras with a metal clip (from the 3rd generation endura) screwed into the handle of a broken off clip-it endura. Spyderco would do this for a nominal fee. The clipit was also enlarged on later runs to help avoid breaking.

Variations of the Endura I

Black Scales GIN1/G2/AUS8 steel in all 3 edge types

Black Scales AUS8 steel with blackened blade in plain edge

Red Scales GIN1/G2/AUS8 steel in plain edge or fully serrated

Green Scales G2 steel in plain edge or fully serrated

Generation II

In 1997 the Endura II was released. It had AUS6 steel for the blade. Spyderco came out with a new model number C47 Endura II but later categorized it under the same number as the original endura, the C10.

Variations of the Endura II

A note on steel handled Spyderco knives, many where embellished with logos of law enforcement & fire department agencies as well as spiderwebs with a Spyder on them in every edge type. Some of the variations that I have seen are F.B.I. , Sheriff's Dept. , U.S. Border patrol & U.S.N. Seal teams.

Generation III

This generation of Endura was changed in 1998. Gone is the plastic clip, replaced with a metal clip that could be switched to either side of the handle. The barrel screw holding the clip could be tightened or removed with a few coins and it had a lanyard hole in the middle of it. The scales were changed to Volcano Grip for better traction. The steels available were either ATS-55 or VG10.

Variations of the Endura III

Black scales ATS55 or VG10 steel available in all 3 edge types

Black scales VG10 steel blackend blade in plain edge (this is the one i own, it might have been made with ATS55 steel and in the other 2 edge types)

Tan scales VG10 steel with partial serrations

Blue/Grey Emerson Opener (wave) VG10 steel in plain edge (500 pcs made)

Generation IV

The latest version, the Endura 4 came out in 2006. It has some major modifications from the E3. First off are the scales, they are made using Bi-Directional Texturing (trademarked) which lives up to the name as it gives great tracion in any hand grip position that you hold the knife in. To further add traction jimping has been added to the spine of the blade. This is also the first Endura to have skeletonized liners (steel liners with holes cut in to save weight) to give it added strength without adding weight to the knife. The blade has a less pointy tip to avoid breakage. The Enduras have always been workhorses and because of that people have been known to push the knife to its limits and this change helps the tip remain intact. The clip is new and is connected to the liners with 3 small screws this allows it to connected in four different positions (tip-up/tip-down/left hand/right hand). The spydie hole has been enlarged to 13mm.

Variations of the Endura IV

Black scales VG10 steel in all 3 edge types

Black scales VG10 steel with blackened blade with partial serrations

Black scales "Sal Glesser" signature on the blade VG10 steel with a plain edge (1000 pcs made)

Black scales Armorers Tool VG10 Steel with partial serrations

White scales VG10 steel with a plain edge SPRINT RUN (600 pcs made)

Pink scales VG10 steel with a plain edge or partial serrations (500 pcs made)

British Racing Green scales ZDP steel in all 3 edge types

Foliage Green scales VG10 steel with partial serrations

Foliage Green G10 scales VG10 steel with a full flat grind on the blade

Blue/Grey scales Emerson opener (wave) VG10 steel in all 3 edge types

Red scales (Trainer) AUS6 steel

Red scales (Emerson Opener Trainer) AUS6 steel

Designer

Sal Glesser

Variations

Variations of the Endura 1. generation

SKU	Handle	Edge	Steel	MSRP	Note	Number made	Grind	Clip
C10SBK	Black FRN	SE	Gin-1/G-2		With the thin clip, no steelmarkings		Hollow sabre grind	Integral FRN clip
C10PBK	Black FRN	PE	Gin-1/G-2		With the thin clip, no steelmarkings		Hollow sabre grind	Integral FRN clip
C10PSBK	Black FRN		Gin-1/G-2		With the thin clip, no steelmarkings		Hollow sabre grind	Integral FRN clip
C10SAF	Black FRN		AUS-8		With the thicker clip, black blade		Hollow sabre grind	Integral FRN clip

Most collectible variation

Generation 1's in red, green or black with the black blade are getting harder to find as of late as well as any color with a combination edge blade. Endura 3 with the Emerson Wave opener were made for a self defense forum. It was limited to 500 pieces, of those a 25 were bought and embellished for Messerforum.net. (these are the rarest Enduras that I know of, although an aftermarket variation). Another somewhat rare endura (at least in the States) is the Endura 4 with Sal Glesser's signature etched on the blade. I believe there were 1000 knives made like this for a russian importer and distributor. The latest Sprint Run of the endura was E4 in bright pink limited to 600 pieces, many of which are still available. As mentioned above there are many steel handled enduras with logos of different agencies that are limited for initial sale only to thier respective members.

Technical information

Measurements (mm and grams) of the C10 Endura IV with FRN handles:

Length overall	Length closed	Cutting Length edge	Hole Ø	Blade thickness	Weight
222	127	88	13	3	103 g.

Measurements (Inches and ounces) of the C10 Endura IV with FRN handles:

Length overall	Length closed	Cutting Length edge	Hole Ø	Blade thickness	Weight
8 3/4"	5"	3 7/16"	1/2"	1/8"	3.6oz.

Measurements (mm and grams) of the C10 Endura IV with stainless steel handles:

Length overall	Length closed	Cutting Length edge	Hole Ø	Blade thickness	Weight
222	124	87	13	3	161 g.

Measurements (Inches and ounces) of the C10 Endura IV with stainless steel handles:

Length overall	Length closed	Cutting Length edge	Hole Ø	Blade thickness	Weight
8 3/4"	4 7/8"	3 7/16"	17/32"	1/8"	5 5/8oz.