• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

BladeReviews.com

Knife Reviews

Menu
  • Home
  • Reviews by Brand
    • Al Mar Knives
    • Benchmade Knives
    • Boker Knives
    • Buck Knives
    • Cold Steel Knives
    • Chris Reeve Knives
    • CRKT Knives
    • DPx Gear
    • Emerson Knives
    • ESEE Knives
    • Fällkniven Knives
    • Fantoni Knives
    • Gerber Knives
    • Great Eastern Cutlery
    • Hinderer Knives
    • Hogue Knives
    • Ka-Bar Knives
    • Kershaw Knives
    • Kizer Knives
    • LionSteel Knives
    • Mcusta Knives
    • Mora Knives of Sweden
    • Microtech Knives
    • Ontario Knives
    • Opinel Knives
    • Reate Knives
    • Rockstead Knives
    • Schrade Knives
    • Shirogorov Knives
    • Smith & Wesson Knives
    • SOG Knives
    • Spartan Blades
    • Spyderco Knives
    • Steel Will Knives
    • Strider Knives
    • Victorinox Knives
    • Viper Knives
    • Zero Tolerance Knives
    • Close
  • Reviews by Purpose
    • EDC Knife Reviews
    • Tactical Knife Reviews
    • Survival Knife Reviews
    • Hard Use Folding Knives
    • High End Pocket Knives
    • Gentleman’s Folders
    • Rescue Knives
    • Traditional Knives
    • USA Made EDC Knives
    • Close
  • Reviews by Class
    • Folding Knives
    • Fixed Blade Knives
    • Assisted Opening Knives
    • Automatic Knives
    • Machetes
    • Titanium Frame Lock Knives
    • Close
  • Best Of
    • The Best EDC Knives
    • Best Survival Knives
    • Best Tactical Knives
    • Best High Value Knives
    • Close
  • Gear Reviews
    • Flashlight Reviews
    • Multi-Tool Reviews
    • Watch Reviews
    • Knife Sharpener Reviews
    • Close
  • FAQs
    • Knife Care and Maintenance
    • Knife Dictionary
    • Knife Steels
    • Steel Composition
    • Interviews
    • Close
  • Contact
  • About
    • About
    • Privacy
    • Links
    • Close

VG-10

Mcusta MC-1 Review

by Dan Jackson 4 Comments

Nestled in the heart of Seki Japan, Mcusta has been a part of Japan’s renown knifemaking industry since 1964. Often compared to Solingen, Germany, Seki is a knife-nut’s dream. Rich in resources such as iron sand, charcoal and water, Seki has been the center of Japanese cutlery production for over 780 years.

Mcusta MC-1
Buy the Mcusta MC-1 at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

The odd thing is, when most American knife enthusiasts hear about Seki-City, Spyderco is often the first company to come to mind. Indeed, Spyderco has recently been producing some beautiful knives in Seki City, but their roots are 100% American. On the other hand, Mcusta’s roots run deep into the Seki-City soil, and the company has only recently arrived on to US market.

Today for your consideration is the Mcusta MC-1 series knife. This is actually their “Basic Series” folder although what you get is anything but basic. For those seeking a gentleman’s folder or a high end EDC option I highly recommend the MC-1. There are some interesting nuances that differentiate this knife from the typical “American Style” folder. Follow along as I share with you what I like so much about these simple Japanese blades.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The MC-1 has a 4.25″ handle, a 3.25″ blade, an overall length of 7.5″ and a weight of 3.4 ounces. To me these are almost ideal proportions perfect for EDC, and the knife is large enough to potentially be used as an emergency tactical knife (not recommended, but it’s better than nothing). The MC-1 features a plain edge drop point blade with a fine tip and a flat grind starting 3/4 of the way up the blade. This blade, like all of the metal components in Mcusta knives, is laser cut for a precision fit.

Mcusta MC-1 with Damascus Blade

For blade material Mcusta gives you the option of solid VG-10 or the handsome laminated damascus and VG-10 option shown above. This laminated knife is actually a core of VG-10 sandwiched in between 2 pieces of 33 layer nickle damascus and heat-treated to a Rockwell hardness of 59-60. This results in a visually stunning blade that is also very functional. As far as the steel goes, I love VG-10, it’s a very tough steel that can get wicked sharp and has excellent edge retention. Some find it a bit of a chore to sharpen, but I have never had a problem unless I let the knife get way too dull.

Handle, Ergonomics and Pocket Clip

Mcusta offers a wide range of handle scale materials including micarta, Corian (an interesting option) and a variety of exotic hardwoods. The knife featured in this review has African Ebony scales and the photograph below shows some of the other options. These scales are fitted over more laser cut steel and are hand finished. The simple pillar construction is a clean look that allows for easy maintenance. The knife is bolted together so if you wanted to, you could take it completely apart for a full cleaning. I’ve noticed that the liners aren’t milled out, but at 3.4 ounces the weight of this knife is still more than acceptable to me.

Mcusta MC-1 Handle Varieties

As far as ergonomics are concerned the handles feature some deep finger grooves for comfort and control. These grooves provide good grip in both forward and reverse holds. One thing to notice is the distinct lack of jimping on the thumb ramp (to dismay of some I am sure). In fact, there isn’t much of a thumb ramp at all. For a classier knife, I don’t think you really need it, but Mcusta does make some other models with these features (I’ll be reviewing a tactical version soon) if you want something with a little more utility.

Mcusta MC-1 Handle Detail

Pocket clips are almost always a source of issues and the MC-1 is no exception. The good news is that this clip is both sturdy and elegant. Also, the clip is positioned at the very top of the handle so the knife practically disappears into a pocket. The bad news is that the clip is absolutely not reversible and only accomidates tip down right pocket carry. Notches have been cut into the handle to accommodate this “low rider” clip so flipping it over for left pocket carry is simply not an option. This is disheartening for me and the other lefties out there, but thankfully Mcusta offers other knives with a reversible clip (better than nothing).

Deployment and Lockup

The MC-1’s blade is deployed with a flick of a thumb stud. Deployment is silky smooth thanks to a teflon washer system. Teflon is a departure from the phosphor bronze washers found in most high end knives, but the deployment is still incredibly fast. I haven’t heard of any issues (either short term or long) with these teflon washers. The blade is locked in place with a thick liner lock. This is a very solid liner lock that is capable of taking some abuse and there is zero play in the blade.

Mcusta MC-1 Review – Final Thoughts

One thing that needs to be commented on here is value. Depending on the materials you can pick buy a new MC-1 for as low as $90 and they top out at around $140. When you consider the materials and workmanship involved here this strikes me as an incredible value.

Mcusta MC-1: Final Thoughts

Also, I have to say that it’s been a while since I’ve been so moved by a knife. You really need to see one of these in person to understand where I am coming from. I’ll admit that I am a sucker for hardwood handles, but the simple design and beautiful craftsmanship really hits home with me.

Of course, the MC-1 isn’t without fault, and my main contention is the non-ambidextrous pocket clip. Others may like to see more jimping, milled liners and perhaps even phosphor bronze washers (I’m curious to see how the teflon washers will stand up to the test of time). I’ll concede that these are valid concerns however, lets not forget the purpose of this knife and also consider the potential differences in the Japanese knifemaking industry. My guess is that the physical disconnect between Mcusta and the American market is largely to blame.

In my Mcusta Tactility review I explore a knife that addresses some of my perceived issues with the MC-1.

Mcusta Basic MC-14DR Indian Rosewood Dasmascus w/Clip
Mcusta Basic MC-14DR Indian Rosewood Dasmascus w/Clip
Buy on Amazon

I recommend purchasing the Mcusta MC-1 at BladeHQ or Amazon. BladeHQ has a great selection of Mcusta knives in general, and their customer service is bar none. Buying anything through any of the links on this site earns the site a small commission at absolutely zero additional cost to you. This is how I keep the site running. Thank you very much for any and all support.

Filed Under: Collectable Knives, EDC Knives, Folding Knives, Mcusta Tagged With: damascus, laminated steel, Made in Japan, VG-10

Spyderco Endura Review

by Dan Jackson 15 Comments

Last Updated: July 14, 2019
The Spyderco Endura is a knife that you won’t fully appreciate until you hold it in your hand. I remember when I first saw this blade at a local gun show. I had heard a lot about the Endura from friends and on various knife communities but it didn’t click until I picked it up and flicked it open. This knife has a 3.75″ blade, yet it is deceptively thin and light.

Spyderco Endura Review
Buy the Spyderco Endura at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

Spyderco has had the Endura in its catalog for decades, and the latest version features several refinements over its predecessors, and is offered in a variety of handle colors. As a lover of large EDC knives the Endura spoke to me, and it wasn’t long before I had one in my pocket.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Spyderco Endura has a 3.75″ blade, a total length of 8.75″, weighs of 3.6 ounces, and is made in Japan. The appeal to the Endura is that it is a large knife, but is still lightweight and pocketable. You can use this as an Every Day Carry (EDC) knife, although I prefer its little brother the Spyderco Delica or the Dragonfly II for suburban EDC.

Here is a size comparison with the Delica:

Spyderco Endura vs. Spyderco Delica

The Endura features a long slender blade. It’s a pretty simple drop point shape, perhaps the biggest detail is that Spyderco has produced the 4th generation Endura with a full flat grind. A full flat grind is when the knife is one continuous grind from the spine down to the secondary bevel (the bevel that the edge sits on). Full flat grinds are very common in kitchen knives because they are so effective at slicing. The Endura is a great slicer, and the long slim blade is also good at penetrating soft targets. However, you will want to take care with the tip as it is fairly thin.

Spyderco Endura

Spyderco selected VG-10 for this edition of the Endura. In my opinion, this was a decent choice. VG-10 is a Japanese steel that sharpens easily, offers good edge retention, and has great corrosion resistance. There are many higher end steels on the market these days, but given the price of the knife and its intended use as a working tool, I think VG10 was a reasonable choice here.

Spyderco Endura Blade

Handle Design, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The Endura has a handle made of fiberglass reinforced nylon (FRN) with nested steel liners that have been milled to reduce weight. Generally, I like the FRN handle, it keeps the knife light, is comfortable, and comes in a variety of colors, including blue, white, gray, green, brown, orange and yes, even camo. I will say that it isn’t the strongest handle design, even with the steel liners, and that is probably my biggest issue with the FRN Endura. But for light to medium use, the Endura handle should hold up well and provide the user a lot of use.

Spyderco Endura Handle

Ergonomics on the Endura are good. It’s a long knife so you have plenty of room for multiple styles of forward and reverse grips. You can set you hand back on the knife to maximize reach, or choke up and make use of the well jimped thumb ramp for detail work. The FRN has rounded and contoured corners that work well with the aggressively textured flats. The texture is Spyderco’s proprietary “bi-directional texturing” and allows for a firm grip in almost any condition. All in all, the Endura has a solid handle design backed by smart ergonomics.

Spyderco Endura Ergonomics

The Endura has a well implemented pocket clip. It’s a standard Spyderco spoon style clip, and it has been given a black coating. The clip rides decently low and offers good retention in the pocket. I especially like how the clip can be mounted on any of the 4 corners of the knife. This is truly a well done ambidextrous pocket clip.

Spyderco Endura Pocket Clip

Deployment and Lock

The Spyderco Endura makes use of a large 13mm thumb hole for deployment. Fans of thumb holes will no doubt be very satisfied with the one on the Endura. The “Spyder Hole” is well placed and provides lots of room for your thumb. My knife opens easily with the flick of a thumb thanks to the smart design and low friction phosphor bronze washers. Spyderco also makes a waved version of the knife, so if you like that kind of deployment you could consider the waved version.

Spyderco Endura Lock Back

The Endura utilizes a lock back to lock the blade in place. The knife I am reviewing began developing some blade play after months of daily carry. Today the bladeplay can be removed if the pivot is tightened down further, but it makes the deployment more difficult. Having done some research I’ve concluded that slight amounts of up and down blade play are not uncommon on the Endura.

I think this is due to the design of the knife. When you have a knife as long and as lightweight as the Endura with FRN scales and nested liners, it’s just not going to be able to hold up to hard use as well as other designs. If you are looking for a more hard use folder from Spyderco, I recommend checking out the Paramilitary 2.

Speaking of the Para 2, here it is next to the Endura:

Spyderco Endura vs. Spyderco Paramilitary 2

Spyderco Endura Review – Final Thoughts

The Spyderco Endura has been a staple in Spyderco’s lineup for decades, and with good reason. This is a knife that is easy enough to carry every day, but big enough to be used as a serious tool or defensive option. Like with many of Spyderco’s offerings the company has been slowly refining it’s designs to improve their products and meet consumer demands. The current iteration of the Endura features an attractive full flat ground blade, a removable 4 position pocket clip, and it comes in a number of different handle colors. These are nice improvements on an already solid design that is based around Spyderco’s philosophy of making useful tools that can be appreciated every day.

I like pretty much everything about the Endura. The materials and fit and finish are both very good, I love how everything is fully ambidextrous, and the choice of handle color is fun. Generally speaking the Endura is a well thought out knife that gets the job done. Spyderco has massaged this design over the years and it remains a classic choice among enthusiasts. Although there are a lot more “gee whiz” options out there today with super steels and fancy materials, the Endura remains a no-nonsense choice for a larger EDC or tactical offering.

My only real gripe is that there is a potential for blade play to develop. For that reason I don’t recommend the Endura as a hard use tool, but rather as a light to medium use EDC knife. If you want a larger EDC or folding tactical knife that is slim and light weight, then the Endura should be high on your list of knives to consider.

Spyderco Endura 4 Lightweight Signature Knife with 3.80' VG-10 Steel Blade and Purple FRN Handle - PlainEdge - C10FPPR
Spyderco Endura 4 Lightweight Signature Knife with 3.80" VG-10 Steel Blade and Purple FRN Handle - PlainEdge - C10FPPR
  • Front-Runner: The Endura 4 sets the standard as one of the best-selling folding knives ever made. All members of the Endura 4 family include a four-position clip, a high-strength back lock mechanism, and Trademark Round Hole.
  • Wide Spectrum of Handle Colors: Whether you enjoy bright colors or neutrals, our Endura 4 Flat Ground knives are designed to suit every taste. We offer Black, Blue, Green, Gray, Orange, Purple, Zome Green and Brown.
  • Light and Durable: This Endura handle is fabricated with Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon. FRN is a polymer mixed with glass fiber that is injection molded and formed into a sleek textured handle, creating a lightweight yet high-strength knife handle.
  • Low Friction: This knife features a blade ground with flat bevels that extend from the spine all the way to the cutting edge. This grind reduces drag during cutting and decreases overall weight.
  • A Secure Grip: To provide a non slip grip, these knives are molded with our patented pattern, Bi-Directional Texturing. This texture pattern consists of opposing graduated steps radiating outward from the center of the handle.
Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

If you would like to buy a Spyderco Endura, I recommend purchasing it at Amazon.com or BladeHQ. Please consider that buying anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Filed Under: EDC Knives, Folding Knives, Spyderco, Tactical Knives Tagged With: FRN, lockback, Made in Japan, VG-10

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • Page 3
  • Page 4

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on TwitterFollow Us on YouTubeFollow Us on RSS

Subscribe to Email Updates and Never Miss a Review (No Spam)!

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Shop BladeHQ

Shop Outdoor Gear on Amazon

Shop KniveShipFree.com

Search BladeReviews:

Best of BladeReviews:

Best EDC Knives
Best Survival Knives
Best Tactical Knives
Best High Value Knives

Copyright © 2025 · Log in