Domino or Southard?

HappyDaddy

HappyDaddy

Joined
Dec 21, 2013
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I'd like to hear from anyone who has both, or has chosen one specifically over the other. What are the advantages and disadvantages as you see them?
 
Domino: Better flipper design (my opinion), better scale, steel lock bar interface, better pocket clip.

Southard: Better blade design (also my opinion), better blade/handle ratio, better steel (just slightly, both steels are amazing), less pocket real estate.

To me, the ergos are up in the air. Both knives offer great, but very different ergos. I prefer the domino because of the slightly better flipping action and the steel lock interface. Most people prefer the southard because of the longer cutting edge, smaller pocket footprint, and slightly better steel. Both are great knives!
 
I haven't played with a domino but it's on my list of knives to get.

I own 2 southards, love the knife. There are cons though. Pocket clip is very sharp, and g10 scale has hot spots where thumb grip is.
 
I prefer the Southard due to the blade shape, blade materials, and blade length. I once accidentally hit a steel pipe with a lot of force with my first Southard when cutting zip ties on a pipe fence, and it didn't even fold over the edge. You literally could not tell that it had happened.

The Domino is a much better slicer, however. It really depends on your cutting tasks.
 
Comeuppance said:
I prefer the Southard due to the blade shape, blade materials, and blade length. I once accidentally hit a steel pipe with a lot of force with my first Southard when cutting zip ties on a pipe fence, and it didn't even fold over the edge. You literally could not tell that it had happened.

The Domino is a much better slicer, however. It really depends on your cutting tasks.
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^^^ good point. The Domino is actually the best butter knife I've ever used :D

Domino_Butter.jpg
 
I'd probably pick the Southard just because the Domino is basically a slightly modified Sage with a flipper that costs twice as much.
 
You really can't go wrong with either.
The hollow grind on the Southard is amazing and the FFG on the Domino is excellent as well. Both flip well for production knives with the Domino being more "snappy" when opening. I love and carry both but for different purposes (slight edge to the Southard for blade length and a good hollow grind).
Premium steel and a great action all in a production package.
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Domino scales are by So-Lo. Rounded the spine, etched and stonewashed.
Southard scales are by Cuscadi (it's about 1/2 the thickness and smooth). Clip is rounded slightly then etched and stonewashed with the blade.
 
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Southard due to the narrower profile, thicker blade (still a good cutter), longer blade & cutting edge (3.46" in both cases), better steel and smoother flipper.

Domino has advantages in being a great slicer, snappier flipper (if that's your preference) and steel insert on the Ti framelock but the blade is too wide for me (in pocket) and only a 2.89" cutting edge. The blade length is 3.13" so in places where 3" is the blade length limit it's a no go.
 
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I already gave you my pick, but here is the obligatory photo (knife on top, spatula on bottom):

0F1Tomo.jpg
 
livewake said:
Love that kevlar scale evilgreg.
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Thanks, me too. That's a terrible picture shot at night indoors, too, the scale looks much better than that in person actually (ShepardCC's work):

4feuzr2.jpg


The reality is somewhere between the two photos, warm color, depth, and shiny metallic accents. It's some neat material.
 
Looking back I'll choose the Domino over the Southard.
I do wish the Domino had the wire clip though.
 
I’ve read glowing reports on the Southard but I do not own one only because it does not come with the option of LH clip orientation and it looks like the left side is restricted on thumb hole access. If it ever is produced in a LH version or ambidextrous…I’m all over it.
That being said, I hold my Domino in high regards. Great to look at; great to hold and play with, smooooth; great steel in what I hear. I’m not a hard user, so I can’t say from personal experience. Only small downside in my opinion from a left handed perspective is left hand access to Spydie hole is slightly diminished due to the frame lock bar, which I don’t think could be avoided. Btw, the Domino comes with 4-way clip options.
 
uofaengr said:
Props to evilgreg for the prettiest Southards on BF. I always enjoy ogling them.
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Agreed! I'm looking forward to seeing what he does with the one or more Black Southards he'll get. I'd like to see someone do a blackwash of the Southard with a matching scale. The scale is going to be a tough one...
 
I should have guessed that it would split roughly 50/50 for preferences!

It would be for EDC "rotation." The Southard seems to be held in high regard by most everyone. It seems the Domino is too. I have a Sage 1 and it looks very similar to a Domino (beautiful - but I'm leaning towards a different look). My only unassisted flipper is a Hogue EX 2. It's amazingly smooth and easy to deploy. Is there anything eccentric or tricky about the action of either of the Spydercos? Where would the ZT 0801 fall if we threw it into the mix?

Thanks for the insights.
 
Both actions are very smooth. I prefer the Southard overall. I'm a big fan of 3.5" blades so the Southard is much closer. Also the handle-to-blade ratio is much better. (handle lengths are nearly identical but the Southard's blade is noticeably longer) The spine is also rather thick which tends to feel good in hand. They're both great but the Southard wins for me.
 
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