Deathmatch, which to get: Southard, Domino, ZT 0801, or Hogue Ex02

Yo Mama

Yo Mama

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Sep 25, 2011
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In the world of production flippers, I'm shooting for spending the most money I have every spent on a blade. I want the best value for an edc. I am only interested in no thumb studs. Everything else is fair game.

The Southard looks like the best steel, but I'm worried that I won't be able to sharpen it. Also, it's the most expensive, so is it really worth the price difference?

The Domino has everything going for it, except the size, I wanted a little bit longer of a blade. I like the look of the blue lightning cf.

The ZT0801 in all black has recently caught me eye, but this looks the chunkiest of all the options.

Lastly the Hogue Ex02 just has the best look to me, but the liner lock just is a turn off to me.

Am I missing any options? Which would you spend your hard earned money on? Thanks!
 
0801. Best flipping action of any knife on the market. Zt has also perfected their elmax! Amazing knife and can be had for $150 now days for the base model
 
The southard is very comfortable in terms of ergonomics. Cts204p will be very similar to steel like M390 in performance and sharpening so you will benefit from diamond stones and a lot of patience. The steel, bearings, and titanium are what gives the Southard it's premium price tag. But it's definately a great knife.

From what I've read, the domino is a great flipper. The CTS-XHP will be similar to D2 yet more corrosion resistant, sharpening shouldn't take as long as cts 204p.
 
Southard Black. Light, strong and great blade. Worth the extra money over ZT 0801BLK but it's hard to argue with the $70 price difference if you go with ZT 0801BLK instead. ZT 0801 is distinctly heavier (5.85 oz. vs. 4.1 oz.) but you have a full titanium handle.

Spyderco Southard Blade ($242)
C156GPBBK.jpg


ZT 0801BLK ($169)
ZT0801BLK.jpg
 
How hard do you envision you will use the knife? My ZT 801 is so chunky, I never ever edc it. It is very "heavy duty, built like a tank". The Southard has a relatively thick blade, but there was a report in the forum about the internal pin stop caused a broken blade.
 
My vote is for the Southard, because I find it more practical for day to day tasks.
 
Thanks everyone, I'm not worried about that break, it looked like one in a million, and the Domino has the same tang design.

Moving more with the Southard, keep em coming!
 
I've owned the Southard and currently own the 0801. I owned the Southard 3 days before I sold it. Just was completely underwhelmed. Maybe I got a bad one, don't know. To me, the shape of the flipper is ill conceived. Just didn't flip well for me. After selling it, I bought a ZT0801. It flips like a dream, but alas, it is too big and heavy for an everyday knife. Plus, it slices like a brick. So it too has gone to the proverbial chopping block. I've heard the Domino is a fat little guy, but that it flips fairly well. Good luck. If I were you, I'd go with the domino, but thats just because I like 3" blades.
 
Personally I'd go for a 801 which has far more going for it. More machining, more work is done do it, USA made, way better flipper, steel insert, better warranty etc.


People know here know little of what it costs to make a knife. They think tumbling+materials list and features are what makes a knife worth the money (if only it were true all knives would be Sebenzas right?). A majority of the expense is in the labor force, and machining.

Secondly the Southard uses thick blade stock stock but tapers dramatically to an edge via hollow ground flats leading to POOR cutting performance. I am not talking about cutting a few pieces of paper or packages I am talking making 120+ cuts on manila rope (same Ankerson uses). And cutting about 500 feet of corrugated cardboard. It's a horrid cutting for anything that is wider than the blade. Even the ZT 560 with wider blade is not as bad as a cutter.

Ergonomics wise, have you guys used the Southard for nearly 2 hours straight? Pocket clip is killer.
 
Another vote for the 0801. It's hefty but you can look past that for all you're getting.
 
I've had a couple Dominos and several Southards. No 801 but lots of ZT's in the past.
ZT's are generally too heavy-duty for my purposes.
Dominos are certainly a step down from the Southard. I like the Southard.
 
I also agree with the 0801 - at least of these choices and I own all but the Hogue. I have several 0801s and, while it is not my normal choice of EDC, it is still one of my favorite knives. Aside from being rather large (and that is clearly a personal choice), I can find no negatives with this knife. I love mine and my production 0801 gets a lot of use around the house.
 
I have owned all discussed, and I still have a couple of 801's and a couple Southards. I like the 801 far better. I agree with the poster who is disappointed in the Southard's cutting ability, and I am totally NOT convinced that the 204P steel is any better than Elmax. I also don't like the flipper tab on the Southard anywhere near as much as the 801. One other thing, the Southard has a very muted sound to it when flipped open, not the reassuring snap you get with most knives, even the Domino I no longer have. At that price, I'd try an 801 black in a heartbeat.
 
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You should really try to handle the knives before buying. I was excited for the southard but upon handling it felt no love. Didn't. Like the looks of the domino but loved it in the hand. Same for the 801. A knife can have great specs but if it doesn't fit you just right you will be disappointed.
 
The Southard hands down. A superlatively refined knife, excellent blade length to scale proportion, and one of the best steels available. If you are not convinced by now, consider this, an 801 in pocket feels like a knife in pocket, a Southard in pocket feels like a pencil in pocket. Truthfully, the Southard disappears, has a huge blade to scale ratio, and has amazing steel.
 
Thanks everyone. Southard and the 0801 seem to have the most recommendations. I'm pretty set then on the Southard.
 
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