Decision time...ZT0561 - Spyderco Southard - Böker Minos - Lionsteel SR1 G

N

NetshadeX

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Oct 17, 2013
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I find myself turning to my fellow edge afficionados for advice.

I'm going to pull the trigger on either of these blades but find myself going back and forth between preference.

Eventhough the 0561 had my initial preference it's important to know that I already own the 0301/0550/0801 so I'm wondering if the 0561 is going to give me that "new knife" feel as much as the others mentioned.

The Southard is a close second the only thing bothering me is that pocketclip and the fact that I've seen 1 or 2 online complaints about the tang actually breaking around the gap for the internal stoppin.

The SR1 looks fantastic but i'm not sure if this strikes me as a user blade by the way it looks, it looks more like a collectible. I do find myself drawn to it's aestetics.

The Böker Minos is an Anso design and looks just beastly, I just love those thick slabs of Ti holding that agressively shaped tang.

I'm looking for advice from people who own one or more, or have at least handled, these blades.

Thanks for your time guys!
 
Spyderco Southard gives you the best bang and it's not too big or heavy to EDC . Best steel (CTS-204P) and flipper action of the lot. Only subjective downside is the brown G-10.

Boker Minos was my toughest little folder (thick titanium slabs and blade) until CRKT Hi Jinx which equalled it but also gives me flipper action.

LionSteel made the SR-1 & SR-2 as work knives and they just happen to look great too. SR-2 is a 3.1" blade compared to 3.7" for SR-1.
 
0560. Just not a Southard fan.
 
Don't worry about the strength of the Southard. I've batoned a small tree down with one so it can take some abuse. The lock up haven't changed in over the year and a half that I've owned the knife.
 
I've handled all of your choices pretty extensively with the exception of the Minos. Personally, I would take the Southard over the 0561 every single time, thrice on Sunday. For me the choice would be between the Southard and the SR1. I'd probably take the SR1. The Minos just isn't my cup of tea, plus never having handled one I can't really offer an opinion on it.
 
Thanks for the input so far guys, Southard seems to have some positive support and I must say for me it really is a true contender for the 0561. Truth be told I feel it's going to be a heads up between those two. ;) i've contemplated the Lionsteel before and didn't get it so maybe I should take that as a sign. Eventhough I admire the Minos, I don't see myself EDC-ing it.
 
I own the Southard and love it. Brown G10 is the only thing I want to pimp on it. I've only handled the 0561 and would definitely recommend the Southard. My .02.

Sauce
 
I love my 0560, but I also just got the blacked out southard and I now see what all the hype is about. If you prefer larger, beefier folders then go with the 0560. If you want something a little smaller then the southard. They are both great knives. I saw you already had the 0801 (which is my favorite production folder) so I won't try and persuade you to get another :p I think you'll be happy either way!
 
The problem I have with the Southard is the the flipper shape. To me, it just doesn't give the smooth operation like my other flippers have. Its awkward. My other flippers are: ZT0801, Brous Bionic, Brian Tighe Mini Tighe Rod, and my gf's Kizer Ki3404.
 
Southard. The all black version is out now, that's the one I have. I've had 2 0561sv and they both had vertical lock play. I'm an ardent ZT guy, but I've given up on the 0561.
 
I also like the fact that the Southard is easy to personalize. Here's one of my favorite pimp jobs courtesy of evilgreg:

3R2nueC.jpg


And no flipper problems here. :)
 
I have both and I think the 0561 flips much more smoothly than the southard but it is also considerably larger than the southard. Keep in mind you can disassemble the ZT without voiding the warranty also.
 
I have both the 0560 and the Southard. Southard is more refined. Better fit and finish. More comfortable in hand. Only downside is it's smaller than I expected when I ordered it. I'm not a huge fan of ZT's Elmax. The 056X's just don't seem to have a soul to me. Not sure why but that's how it feels to me. I don't like the 3D machining on the frame lock side. The lock bar is super sticky even with the sharpie trick. BUT the ZT flips better. The "thumb studs" are slightly more useable on the ZT than the spydie hole is on the Southard. Not that you would use either one but…..if you wanted to. The flipper is easier to use on the ZT also but the Southard isn't bad. Southard is hollow ground which I usually don't like but it doesn't bother me on the Southard. ZT has better customer service and a better warranty in my experience. The Southard clip looks better but doesn't slide onto jeans as easily as as the ZT. I know some people complain about the Taiwan produced blades but the quality is amazing. I prefer the Southard personally.

I stay far away from Boker.

No Lionsteel experience.
 
Southard all the way. Quite a bit of blade in the frame. Dyed my tan scale burgundy. Great edc IMO.
 
I think the Southard is an overall better knife than the 561 for my uses. Small enough to be comfortable to carry but large enough for most tasks. Very strong. Better steel. Excellent fit and finish. Better detente for manual opening. Fine flipper action , though slightly less eager to flip than the 561. The Southard for a good combination of size, strength, f and f , and steel.
 
I'm a ZT Man all the way so I would go with the 561 but I do love the SR-1-Ti B.
 
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