- Joined
- Jul 6, 2009
- Messages
- 11,678
A TALE OF TWO SOUTHARDS
1) the AVO a mid-tech by Brad Southard, and
2) the Spyderco/Brad Southard collaboration. (the all-black model).
These two folders are nearly identical in closed length, (AVO: 4.50", Southard: 4.57")... although my photographic maneuvers do NOT always indicate this fact...
Note the similar blade-lengths: AVO: 3.36" tip to grip....Black Spyderco Southard: 3.44"
The large buying "seasons" of my life are about over, as I've owned and sold many excellent folders, in trying to find MY perfect EDC.
At times, I've owned multiples of the same model, without ever carrying one of them, and that is just plain foolish. I have finally discovered that I am NOT a collector, and have divested myself of the needless surplus.
The folder I bought a month ago: the Brad Southard AVO, was ~$500; the one I got in this month: black Spyderco Southard, was $210. Both are worth the cost, IMO. I'm currently carrying the $500 folder, and loving it.
Note that Brad Southard's site lists the AVO at $425, although the supply has been very limited and sporadic. I bought mine, as-NEW, from the Exchange, and of course paid a bit more. (The brown-G10 Spyderco Southard is readily available and cheaper than the all-black model.)
Brad Southard Avo features...(the first offering in his Performance Series)
This folder is DEFINITELY a keeper. I have been carrying this folder daily since I received it last December. I have no plans to replace it with any other folder. So far, with my relatively casual blade uses, the knife has been very pleasing. IF I have ever owned a true Grail, then I suspect that this is it. I REALLY like this knife.
It is, obviously, a flipper. I have accepted that fact...and it "disappears." The flipper just happens to be there, and it works, quickly...very well indeed.
I could use a blade-stud or Spydie-hole just as easily, but this flipper is perfect, and suits me just fine.
The folder is rock-solid and centered...a beautiful example of the art.
The AVO has an unsharpened blade edge (choil) region which is large enough for me to get adequate index finger forward-control without danger...or to just hold it in the "standard" condition...
The first time I opened and closed this new knife, I got blooded immediately with this blade; barely felt it going by...and then there was a drop of blood on my index finger. It just floats thru 0.002"-thick Yellow Pages...it is the sharpest blade that I've had by far.
Some of the features and dimensions of the AVO are:
Carson Flipper with CTS-B75p (bg-42) blade-steel, stonewashed finish. Brad has also made a small number of blades, using PSF-27 steel.
Titanium frame lock, titanium Hinderer over-travel stop, titanium standoffs and clip.
Stainless hardware
Ball bearing pivot and ceramic detent ball for the smoothest and fastest action.
grip thkness: 0.460"
blade thkness: 0.140" (identical to the Umnumzaan and Sebenza 25)
0.024" behind the edge
3.33" blade (tip to grip)
4.5" grip length
Very comfy in my hand.. Rock-solid, no-stick goodness...This is NICE!
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The Spyderco Southard collaboration, all-black model C156GBBK
length overall 7.96" (202 mm) blade length 3.46" (88 mm) blade steel CTS 204P
length closed 4.50" (114 mm) cutting edge 3.46" (88 mm) weight 4.1 oz (116 g)
blade thickness 0.157" (4.0 mm) handle material G-10
It is very similar to the Southard AVO mid-tech, other than the AVO is a smaller, thinner version of this Spyderco folder.
The black Southard grip thickness is 0.525 thicker than the AVO, given the G10 scale and thick titanium liner on one side.
The blade-steel is thicker, at 0.157, and of the excellent CTS 204P, but also 0.024" behind the edge.
The black coating on this model is titanium carbo-nitride. It coats the blade as well as the grips on this folder.
Here is a Spyderco link to this black model
http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=885
I have owned several of Spydercos first flipper, the model in brown G10. I purchased two of these, NIB, admired them and sold them. The third brown one, NIB, I gave to one college-age grand-daughter last September, and it was then that I finally developed a real interest in this folder. And I do seem to like the black color of knives, in general, and so jumped at the chance to buy one ANIB, on the Exchange.
Okay, so I have both of these folders.
The black Southard (and the brown) have a slightly thicker grip. Also, a thicker blade-steel. In addition, arguably a more refined blade-steel.
Which should I choose?
I chose the AVO. It rides easily in my pocket; a great knife with a good blade, light weight, a classy look, greats ergos, and Im happy with it. Certainly, it can be argued that I could buy several Spyderco Southards for the price of one AVO, but that would make this entire discussion one of finance rather than of one involving personal choice.
Now, the black Southard? I love that one too, but am not likely to ever carry it, unless I am planning a trip to the woods. It is, perhaps, a better steel; it will likely hold an edge longer, and the thicker blade of 204P will likely hold up better to abuse when camping, possible batoning, splitting firewood.
The AVO rides in my pocket, while the two knives which I have also carried over the last four yrs, the Umnumzaan and the large Sebenza, are languishing in the safe. WHY?
I think the major difference, to me, is a matter of physical blade and grip length. The AVO is just a bit shorter in both measurements, which makes it easier to manipulate "securely" and therefore more desirable for ME.
The grip-width of the AVO, the Large Sebenza and the Zaan are all within 0.005" in these three basic (and favorite) titanium slab-sided knives.
Below are several pics which show the AVO with a Large Sebenza (with lanyard)...
and one pic, below, of the AVO with my Umnumzaan...
The AVO, translates to me, as a "mid-sized Sebenza" that I have wanted for a long time." The small Sebbie grip is just too short for my hand, while the large Sebenza and the Zaan are larger than I would prefer.
The AVO...a bit shorter than either of the CRK's...seems to be a perfect fit for my hand-size. The cost of the AVO is on par with the CRK's, but I feel as though the quality exists among the three... in equal fashion.
So YES the AVO wins. Im perfectly happy with its performance, its physical size and blade-width, and its appearance and comfortable carry size. Perfection personified.
1) the AVO a mid-tech by Brad Southard, and
2) the Spyderco/Brad Southard collaboration. (the all-black model).
These two folders are nearly identical in closed length, (AVO: 4.50", Southard: 4.57")... although my photographic maneuvers do NOT always indicate this fact...
Note the similar blade-lengths: AVO: 3.36" tip to grip....Black Spyderco Southard: 3.44"
The large buying "seasons" of my life are about over, as I've owned and sold many excellent folders, in trying to find MY perfect EDC.
At times, I've owned multiples of the same model, without ever carrying one of them, and that is just plain foolish. I have finally discovered that I am NOT a collector, and have divested myself of the needless surplus.
The folder I bought a month ago: the Brad Southard AVO, was ~$500; the one I got in this month: black Spyderco Southard, was $210. Both are worth the cost, IMO. I'm currently carrying the $500 folder, and loving it.
Note that Brad Southard's site lists the AVO at $425, although the supply has been very limited and sporadic. I bought mine, as-NEW, from the Exchange, and of course paid a bit more. (The brown-G10 Spyderco Southard is readily available and cheaper than the all-black model.)
Brad Southard Avo features...(the first offering in his Performance Series)
This folder is DEFINITELY a keeper. I have been carrying this folder daily since I received it last December. I have no plans to replace it with any other folder. So far, with my relatively casual blade uses, the knife has been very pleasing. IF I have ever owned a true Grail, then I suspect that this is it. I REALLY like this knife.
It is, obviously, a flipper. I have accepted that fact...and it "disappears." The flipper just happens to be there, and it works, quickly...very well indeed.
I could use a blade-stud or Spydie-hole just as easily, but this flipper is perfect, and suits me just fine.
The folder is rock-solid and centered...a beautiful example of the art.
The AVO has an unsharpened blade edge (choil) region which is large enough for me to get adequate index finger forward-control without danger...or to just hold it in the "standard" condition...
The first time I opened and closed this new knife, I got blooded immediately with this blade; barely felt it going by...and then there was a drop of blood on my index finger. It just floats thru 0.002"-thick Yellow Pages...it is the sharpest blade that I've had by far.
Some of the features and dimensions of the AVO are:
Carson Flipper with CTS-B75p (bg-42) blade-steel, stonewashed finish. Brad has also made a small number of blades, using PSF-27 steel.
Titanium frame lock, titanium Hinderer over-travel stop, titanium standoffs and clip.
Stainless hardware
Ball bearing pivot and ceramic detent ball for the smoothest and fastest action.
grip thkness: 0.460"
blade thkness: 0.140" (identical to the Umnumzaan and Sebenza 25)
0.024" behind the edge
3.33" blade (tip to grip)
4.5" grip length
Very comfy in my hand.. Rock-solid, no-stick goodness...This is NICE!
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
The Spyderco Southard collaboration, all-black model C156GBBK
length overall 7.96" (202 mm) blade length 3.46" (88 mm) blade steel CTS 204P
length closed 4.50" (114 mm) cutting edge 3.46" (88 mm) weight 4.1 oz (116 g)
blade thickness 0.157" (4.0 mm) handle material G-10
It is very similar to the Southard AVO mid-tech, other than the AVO is a smaller, thinner version of this Spyderco folder.
The black Southard grip thickness is 0.525 thicker than the AVO, given the G10 scale and thick titanium liner on one side.
The blade-steel is thicker, at 0.157, and of the excellent CTS 204P, but also 0.024" behind the edge.
The black coating on this model is titanium carbo-nitride. It coats the blade as well as the grips on this folder.
Here is a Spyderco link to this black model
http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=885
I have owned several of Spydercos first flipper, the model in brown G10. I purchased two of these, NIB, admired them and sold them. The third brown one, NIB, I gave to one college-age grand-daughter last September, and it was then that I finally developed a real interest in this folder. And I do seem to like the black color of knives, in general, and so jumped at the chance to buy one ANIB, on the Exchange.
Okay, so I have both of these folders.
The black Southard (and the brown) have a slightly thicker grip. Also, a thicker blade-steel. In addition, arguably a more refined blade-steel.
Which should I choose?
I chose the AVO. It rides easily in my pocket; a great knife with a good blade, light weight, a classy look, greats ergos, and Im happy with it. Certainly, it can be argued that I could buy several Spyderco Southards for the price of one AVO, but that would make this entire discussion one of finance rather than of one involving personal choice.
Now, the black Southard? I love that one too, but am not likely to ever carry it, unless I am planning a trip to the woods. It is, perhaps, a better steel; it will likely hold an edge longer, and the thicker blade of 204P will likely hold up better to abuse when camping, possible batoning, splitting firewood.
The AVO rides in my pocket, while the two knives which I have also carried over the last four yrs, the Umnumzaan and the large Sebenza, are languishing in the safe. WHY?
I think the major difference, to me, is a matter of physical blade and grip length. The AVO is just a bit shorter in both measurements, which makes it easier to manipulate "securely" and therefore more desirable for ME.
The grip-width of the AVO, the Large Sebenza and the Zaan are all within 0.005" in these three basic (and favorite) titanium slab-sided knives.
Below are several pics which show the AVO with a Large Sebenza (with lanyard)...
and one pic, below, of the AVO with my Umnumzaan...
The AVO, translates to me, as a "mid-sized Sebenza" that I have wanted for a long time." The small Sebbie grip is just too short for my hand, while the large Sebenza and the Zaan are larger than I would prefer.
The AVO...a bit shorter than either of the CRK's...seems to be a perfect fit for my hand-size. The cost of the AVO is on par with the CRK's, but I feel as though the quality exists among the three... in equal fashion.
So YES the AVO wins. Im perfectly happy with its performance, its physical size and blade-width, and its appearance and comfortable carry size. Perfection personified.
