Better knife for me? Southard or Tuff?

O

Omega Leather Works

Joined
Jun 13, 2007
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Hey peoples.

I've been thinking about my Southard, well, since I got it, and I'm considering putting it on the exchange for trade for a Spyderco Tuff.

I like the Southard. It's a great knife to flip, but for whatever reason I've never been able to bring myself to use it. Literally, I may have cut a piece of paper at some point in the months that I've owned it.

So I was thinking, what would be a comperable knife (price wise) that I could see myself using and I think it might be the Tuff.

My concerns are that it may not be as fun to mess with and that it might be a little redundant to my Contego. (?)

Anyone have both, and have any advice or opinions? Is the Tuff a fun knife? How do you like it, and do you think it's as good as the Southard? Better?

Anyone is welcome to advise.

Thanks.
 
I saw in another thread that you have large hands, as do I. I haven't handled the Tuff, but I have yet to pick up an Ed Schempp design that fit my hand without me grinding on it somewhere. To be fair, I've only handled the Persian, Barong, Khukuri, Rocksalt, Rock, Navaja and Balance, so it is possible that he's done something I'd find comfortable. I'm not holding my breath, though.
 
Ahh you are having high value anxiety, had the same issue with my Sebenza. The reason they cost so much his because they are high quality build for a life-time, spyderco is no exception to this. Ya you should treat it a little better than a $20 folder but it is meant to take a beating or two.

I would go with the Southard, just because you will probably get more use out of it. the tuff is fun to play with but the reason i could never own one is because it isnt practical for what I do
 
Cut at least one thing every day with your southard. If you don't love using it after a week, you're crazy :p
 
boy, if YOU don't know what you want, how in the heck do you expect a bunch of loonie knife fanatics that are total strangers to know what you want? :eek:
 
Mannlicher said:
boy, if YOU don't know what you want, how in the heck do you expect a bunch of loonie knife fanatics that are total strangers to know what you want? :eek:
Click to expand...

^^^ This.

And this:



A pic of my recently acquired TUFF, my favourite Spydie to date. The 3V steel is great stuff!
 
Between the two designs, I love the look of the Tuff better. 3V steel(though I've never tried it but I have tried the German version(Z-Wear)) is a great and tough steel with good edge holding and will take care of any tough job you need done. I've heard the Tuff is a little stiff so it won't be as silky as the Southard simply because it's a big tough blade so it takes a little more effort.

Honestly, if you're not using the Southard, it sounds like you either haven't warmed up to it or the value is keeping you away from using it. Keep in mind these knives were made with use in mind. You don't have to beat the knife up, but carry it and use it like a knife is meant to be just for your daily chores. You don't have to chop it through wood.

If you just haven't warmed up to it, get the Tuff.

I don't think you can go wrong with either knife. I would go for the Tuff though if it were me.
 
yablanowitz said:
I saw in another thread that you have large hands, as do I. I haven't handled the Tuff, but I have yet to pick up an Ed Schempp design that fit my hand without me grinding on it somewhere. To be fair, I've only handled the Persian, Barong, Khukuri, Rocksalt, Rock, Navaja and Balance, so it is possible that he's done something I'd find comfortable. I'm not holding my breath, though.
Click to expand...

Well I did hold one, but only for a minute. I think I liked it, I'm not sure. :o I know that the choil seemed useless to me though.

What about in relation to the Contego? Doesn't it seem a little redundant to you guys?
 
No idea. I haven't looked at Benchmade since they released the Vex, and I don't plan to.
 
Hey Strig,

The choil on the TUFF is awesome IMO.

At first it felt goofy to me too, until I started using the knife and have found it is quite useful as well as provides an extra margin of safety for tougher jobs when using the regular grip. (ie: not choked up on the blade.)


Another pic just for fun:

 
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