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

bld522 said:
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. :)
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Today I ordered a ZT 0560 blackwash. I had seen this pix before in another thread, and I can't help but think how absolutely AWESOME this jumba scale would look with that blackwash blade! I am partial to ZT's, was taken with the Lionsteel when they first came out, and have seen how popular the Southard is. Not an easy choice for sure. Good luck!
 
bld522 said:
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. :)
Click to expand...

Today I ordered a ZT 0560 blackwash. I had seen this pix before in another thread, and I can't help but think how absolutely AWESOME this juma scale would look with that blackwash blade! I am partial to ZT's, was taken with the Lionsteel when they first came out, and have seen how popular the Southard is. Not an easy choice for sure. Good luck!
 
Southard. The Hinderer ZT's are all hype in my opinion. They are OK if you like thick blades with thick edges that cut like a hatchet. If you want a knife to cut stuff go with Spyderco.
 
I found the Southard to hold a good edge for a long time, but it killed my hand when cutting tough things like 2x4's. My 0561 flipped better, but was a tad too large. Of those two, I feel the Southard better for edc. I sold my Southard and bought a 0770CF and couldn't be happier. The edge on it was sharper than any production knife I've had to date. As far as the pocket clip for the Southard, the STR clip greatly improved the knife for me. It's an extra $35 well spent.
 
I have all the knives you listed. The Southard has a thick stock hollow ground blade. It doesn't flip as good as the ZT 561. The Lionsteel is a great user knife, and the fit and finish are of high caliber. I love my SR-1, but I prefer a flipper in general for a knife. I also dislike the metal texturing on the lock side of the 561, the Southard single G-10 scale annoys me. The Southard also has a muted sound to it when it flips open. All in all, I prefer the Lionsteel even though it isn't a flipper, If you could get a ti-scale for the Southard that would kick it to another level for me. Don't discount the Lionsteel if your aren't set on a flipper. The Boker is made OK, but I just don't care for it, and my example has a bit of side to side play, which makes me dislike a knife very quickly.
 
David Lowry said:
Southard. The Hinderer ZT's are all hype in my opinion. They are OK if you like thick blades with thick edges that cut like a hatchet. If you want a knife to cut stuff go with Spyderco.
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Hilarious considering the stock and ridiculous blade geometry proportion on the Southard (4mm stock). Neither is a good cutter inmho. A Pm2, Griptillian, and half a dozen other knives would make both knives cry.

Owned both. I'd buy the ZT over the Spyderco. While the Southard is nice it's a pretty knife over a practical one.
 
al g blenny said:
I stay away from boker for more than one reason but this isn't the thread for that discussion.
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The OP asked for opinions on the Boker Minos (I have two of them) and I did just that instead of generalizations on Boker.
 
Of those, I really like the ZT 0561.
The others just don't do it for me.
I like Spyderco, but have no desire for the Southard...it just didn't click for me.

Oh yeah, the ZT 0561 is just fine for cutting things too, regardless of what some think. ;)
 
RamZar said:
The OP asked for opinions on the Boker Minos (I have two of them) and I did just that instead of generalizations on Boker.
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I'm not being rude to you so don't start being rude to me. I'm just stating that I won't get into my reasons. People tend to ask and I don't want to steer this thread away from the topic.
 
There are only winners in your choices. I have a Southard coming in next week, it's already pimped up by Shepard. I have 0566 that I'm breaking in but I EDC my DPX HEST. :cool:
 
I have the Southard and the 560, I really like both, the Southard is more of a medium size knife with a lot of cutting edge and blade once open, the 560 is more of a large knife, I prefer 204P to ELMAX, the Southard is thinner at the edge but gets thicker faster, so it will do better with shallow cuts, the 560 is probably a little better with deeper cuts. They're pretty close, but I like the Southard a bit more.
 
I would go with the Southard, just the prefect size for my taste, and I actually like the brown g10...
+I'm from Sweden so don't really care if a knife is USA made or not...
 
I really, really like my 0560, but I love my Southards.

The Southard is just the right size and weight, small and light in the pocket, but then substantial enough to really use when it's in hand.
 
I'm wasting my breath but the Boker Minos is one awesome blade. The WOW factor when you hold it is off the hook. The others look kinda plain in comparison - so for that New Knife rush - get the Boker.

Eric
 
Splitt65 said:
Today I ordered a ZT 0560 blackwash. I had seen this pix before in another thread, and I can't help but think how absolutely AWESOME this jumba scale would look with that blackwash blade! I am partial to ZT's, was taken with the Lionsteel when they first came out, and have seen how popular the Southard is. Not an easy choice for sure. Good luck!
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It would probably look something like this:

hvtZmB0.jpg
 
The most usable and practical among the blades is the Southard, I'd go for that one first.

Next would be the Lionsteel because it's as usable as the 0560, but sooo much better looking.

Next would be the 0560 for me.

I haven't had any experience with the Boker so naturally that would be my last choice.
 
evilgreg said:
It would probably look something like this:

hvtZmB0.jpg
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Now THAT's the picture I was waiting for. :eek: Great combo!!! In fact, I'd go so far as to say that's the best looking Southard I've ever seen. Thanks, Greg. :D

PS: For those who may not be aware, it's amazing what a good hollow grind can do for slicing ability. Any questions about that, ask Tom Krein. ;)
 
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Your comments are very helpful guys, I'm learning a lot here. As some of you have pointed out there is a pretty substantial size difference between the Southard and the 0561. I already knew the 561 was hefty but truth be told I hadn't fully realized how modestly sized the Southard is.

Not necessarily a deal breaker but something to keep in mind. For me the Southard has the 561 easily beat in aesthetics.
According to some of you also in fit & finish and bladesteel. (I have no experience with 204P). But then again a ZT is a ZT ;)

Question for you Southard owners, do you also own an Endura? I've EDC-ed an Endura for almost 2 years, if it's not too much trouble could anyone post a pic of them side by side for size/heft reference?

Thanks again for your input people. I'm ordering either knife this coming friday so it'll be waiting for me when I get home this weekend.
 
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