So everyone's a little different here. For me I want a pocket knife that melts away in your pocket and is light enough that you don't even know it's there. Without question my favorite idc is a Delica 4...with a close second being the Endela...which is in-between the Delica and Endura. I've had the police and Endura and just found them too big for EDC pocket knives. If I really want a blade that big I'll carry a fixed blade. But for EDC and common pocket knife tasks A Delica 4 is hard to beat. Others will disagree.

If you want a bigger folding blade that's surprisingly light and easy to carry look at a Benchmade Griptilian. I've got one I've dressed a few deer with when I was caught unprepared for deer duty and it's a great lightweight knife that can perform almost like a 4" fixed blade.

YMMV

 

So everyone's a little different here. For me I want a pocket knife that melts away in your pocket and is light enough that you don't even know it's there. Without question my favorite idc is a Delica 4...with a close second being the Endela...which is in-between the Delica and Endura. I've had the police and Endura and just found them too big for EDC pocket knives. If I really want a blade that big I'll carry a fixed blade. But for EDC and common pocket knife tasks A Delica 4 is hard to beat. Others will disagree.

If you want a bigger folding blade that's surprisingly light and easy to carry look at a Benchmade Griptilian. I've got one I've dressed a few deer with when I was caught unprepared for deer duty and it's a great lightweight knife that can perform almost like a 4" fixed blade.

YMMV

Indeed.

The Native and PM3 are also similarly-sized to the Delica and quite handy.





The Endela is a nice addition and choice for EDC users, and is just barely larger than the Delica.



I also keep a couple of the Delica-sized, Chinese-made Ganzo folders, with 440C steel, for yardwork and outside chores (to which I don't wish to subject my Delicas).

 

Presuming the 4.38" blade length (K390 model) doesn't violate any local ordinances or state law, it's really up to you and how it fits your carry desires. The standard Police model has a 4.125" blade length.

I have an early production all-stainless Police model from the mid/late 90's, when they made some fully serrated versions engraved with Navy Seal Team logos. I picked it up as an oddity that struck my fancy. Personally, it's always been a bit too long for my pocket carry desires.

However, the current generation of the Police has the carry clip positioned differently, and for 4-way carry clip attachment, versus the 1-way Tip Down carry of my old one. Depending on the carry orientation chosen, that might extend the body of the handle even deeper into the pocket than my old one. Your call.

Here are a couple pics I just took of my old Police, a new Buck 110 Slim and a Spyderco Endela (Thin Blue Line model). The deep carry clip of the 110 makes it stick a little lower into the pocket, but the Police sticks up higher, and the top edge can poke into my hip above the belt line when seated. Annoying.

The Endela is the most comfortable of all, but the blade is the shortest, being 3.41" versus Buck's 3.75" and the Police K390 model's 4.38"

FWIW, I also have a Benchmade Contego, with a 3.98" CPM M4 blade. Even though it's blade length is a bit shorter than my Police model, and the handle is 0.34" shorter than the K390 Police, or similar to the standard Police, it's deep carry clip positions it differently and makes it feel longer in the pocket.

Gotta find what's comfortable and handy for you. I rather like the 110 and Endela, which is why I don't own a newer version of the Police or the Endura.

BTW, you realize the K390 steel needs to basically be treated with the same care (to prevent rust) as carbon steel, right? I picked up a Spyderedge Delica K390, because I liked the K3990 steel, and the handle color Spyderco uses for it, and the Delica is pretty much my favorite and all-around handiest blade & handle length for EDC chores. I own several of them.

Suit yourself and enjoy whatever you choose.

 

Presuming the 4.38" blade length (K390 model) doesn't violate any local ordinances or state law, it's really up to you and how it fits your carry desires. The standard Police model has a 4.125" blade length.

I have an early production all-stainless Police model from the mid/late 90's, when they made some fully serrated versions engraved with Navy Seal Team logos. I picked it up as an oddity that struck my fancy. Personally, it's always been a bit too long for my pocket carry desires.

However, the current generation of the Police has the carry clip positioned differently, and for 4-way carry clip attachment, versus the 1-way Tip Down carry of my old one. Depending on the carry orientation chosen, that might extend the body of the handle even deeper into the pocket than my old one. Your call.

Here are a couple pics I just took of my old Police, a new Buck 110 Slim and a Spyderco Endela (Thin Blue Line model). The deep carry clip of the 110 makes it stick a little lower into the pocket, but the Police sticks up higher, and the top edge can poke into my hip above the belt line when seated. Annoying.

The Endela is the most comfortable of all, but the blade is the shortest, being 3.41" versus Buck's 3.75" and the Police K390 model's 4.38"

FWIW, I also have a Benchmade Contego, with a 3.98" CPM M4 blade. Even though it's blade length is a bit shorter than my Police model, and the handle is 0.34" shorter than the K390 Police, or similar to the standard Police, it's deep carry clip positions it differently and makes it feel longer in the pocket.

Gotta find what's comfortable and handy for you. I rather like the 110 and Endela, which is why I don't own a newer version of the Police or the Endura.

BTW, you realize the K390 steel needs to basically be treated with the same care (to prevent rust) as carbon steel, right? I picked up a Spyderedge Delica K390, because I liked the K3990 steel, and the handle color Spyderco uses for it, and the Delica is pretty much my favorite and all-around handiest blade & handle length for EDC chores. I own several of them.

Suit yourself and enjoy whatever you choose.

Thanks, fastbolt. I have never seen an Endela but after you and Big Bird mentioned it, I will need to take a look. I will be able to see them before I buy, so will have to take your valuable info into account when looking!

So everyone's a little different here. For me I want a pocket knife that melts away in your pocket and is light enough that you don't even know it's there. Without question my favorite idc is a Delica 4...with a close second being the Endela...which is in-between the Delica and Endura. I've had the police and Endura and just found them too big for EDC pocket knives. If I really want a blade that big I'll carry a fixed blade. But for EDC and common pocket knife tasks A Delica 4 is hard to beat. Others will disagree.

If you want a bigger folding blade that's surprisingly light and easy to carry look at a Benchmade Griptilian. I've got one I've dressed a few deer with when I was caught unprepared for deer duty and it's a great lightweight knife that can perform almost like a 4" fixed blade.

YMMV

Thanks for the reply. I actually do have a Griptillian and love that knife, just looking for something with a slimmer profile.

 

Jump on the serrated K390 sale several vendors have going on right now!

National Knives has.....
The serrated Police for $112.50 and the serrated Endura for $97.50, pretty hard to beat this value!

National Knives, LLC

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www.nationalknives.com

I have a plain edge K390 Endela, just a fantastic knife, I also have a serrated Leafjumper and a plain edge Lil' Temperance both in K390 incoming!

 

There's some nifty end-of-year sales on some Endelas, like the Fire and LE models (red & blue accents in handles), on some of the big online vendors.

If you like the standard Griptilian, which can be a bit chunky, the Mini is handy-sized. I picked up a Mini just after I retired, because it was the lone Pink folder in a cop shop, lost among all the 'manly' black-handled folders. They sold it to me for less than $70, as I recall, and it came with a Sheepsfoot 154CM blade. Barely thicker than a Delica, and a little shorter. I tend to think the Benchmade is currently over-pricing their knives, but that's just a matter of individual perspective.

Original Delica (middle), Gen4 Delica (right) and Mini Grip (left).

 

I carried an Endura for many years in the right hand screwdriver pocket of a pair of Dickies carpenter pants that I wore for work every day and that pocket was the perfect height for access with my hand and with the pocket clip at the back and the blade at the front in was in the perfect position for opening the blade.

i liked the the blades that were only half-serrated. and the best thing about the Endura was tht they were reasonably priced and didn't break you heart of you lost one. I also have an old Spyderco Police that I found at a pawn shop but the clip os at the wrong end. Newer spydrcos had threaded holes for the clips so that you can mount them on either end, but the one I have doesn't have that option.

 

Carried so much gear/weight during my career...smaller/lighter was always better for me ...but ymmv

 

Yeah, while I'm not averse to occasionally clipping (or belt scabbarding) one of my larger folders - especially those that have been gifted to me by my son - I'm a proponent of the lighter, the better. I don't mind if something is so light that I forget I'm carrying, and overall size is also appreciated when it doesn't become a lump when seated and pockets get tight.

 

BTW OP, if you're like some of the rest of us, the correct answer is to buy the different knives you're considering, and so some long-term testing and evaluating on your own.

 

I'd pass over both in favor of a Spyderco Stretch 2 XL.

Spyderco Stretch 2 XL Lightweight

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www.dlttrading.com

 

It's a nice development, granted. Still just under 4" in blade length (if it matters, code-wise), and it offers a handy finger choil and lightweight FRN handle that's not terribly long. FWIW, the blade shape is also pleasing to the eye for the folks who grew up liking clip point Bowie shapes.

It might also come down to the price. The Endela can be found for anywhere from $75 to $139, depending on whether you want VG10 or K390.

Spyderco Endela Knives - EDC Folding Pocket Knives | Blade HQ

If you are looking for a knife that fits between the Delica and the Endura, the Spyderco Enedela is here for you! Shop the Endela at Blade HQ.

www.bladehq.com

 

Damn, I just realized that I forgot to add the pics of the 3 folders I was discussing in my Post #3 (distracted by having to talk to a couple contractors bidding on projects). I went back and added them to that post, but for anyone who has already seen it, and only is notified of new posts, here they are ...

Endela, old-style Police model, and Buck 110 Slim (Brown Micarta and factory brown Cerakote on 420HC steel).

 

1. I researched OP, including the questions posed to him.
2. My response is based upon his responses. He wants a knife that melts away when he carries it. The answer would be the Delica. In a few minutes, I will be taking a walk indoors wearing a pair of workout shorts.
I also have the Endura and Police models of different releases.
3. When shtf, I will be carrying a Police model and deploying a couple to the car. I won't be concerned about carrying a knife that melts away in a pocket.I also will not be wearing gym shorts.
4. Right now what am I doing with the Enduras? A couple in the car. One in a pocket of each coat/wind breaker/hoodie with pockets.
5. I used to buy and restore knives, not purchase brand new.

 

Once they changed the grind on those lightweight models, they are no longer Police to me. It's just a bigger Endura.

 

I carried a delica for several years. I'm very happy with my current para3.

 

The Police 4 LW is sweet, but larger than I personally necessitate for an EDC folder.
For a lightweight, "slightly larger" folder, the Manix 2 lightweight is my favorite. 3-1/3" blade and only 3oz. Ergonomic as hell, but it's wide, so it tends to hog the pocket. Aside from that, I find the Manix family near perfect and are some of my favorite spydercos overall.

 

Thank you all very much for the responses. I will be going to buy this weekend, so I will provide an update on what I choose! I am realizing that there is far more in the Spyderco lineup than I thought...

 

I carried a Delica for 20+ years. At one point during that time, I purchased an Endura and thought that I might prefer carrying it. After a couple of days, I realized that I'd made a mistake and went back to the Delica + sold the Endura. The Endura is a nice knife, just a bit larger than I like for EDC. (It may be perfect for someone else.)

 

I've EDC'd an Endura Stainless Serrated for over 10 years now. SUPER slim knife that disappears in my pocket, with the serrations going thru pretty much anything like a chainsaw.

I have multiple brand name folders, but daily, it's my Endura.

 

I have and carry both. No problem with the size of it.

 

I have the Police 4. It is big. I wanted for its Police model legacy. If that’s not important to you the Endura flat grind is just as good and a little more pocket friendly.

 

Thank you all again for the posts and replies. Ended up going with the Police. Actually find the length manageable in the pocket, and love the way you can grip it in different ways.

 

Congrats!