Domino or Southard?

[FTR-14c]

I liked the Southard until I got a Domino.
Sold the Southard, kept the Domino.

 

[RamZar]

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?

Both Spydercos and ZT 0801 have great manual flipper action. The only downside to the ZT 0801 is the weight of 5.8 ounces. Southard weighs 4.1 ounces and Domino 4.2 ounces.

 

[evilgreg]

Props to evilgreg for the prettiest Southards on BF. I always enjoy ogling them.

Thanks! I enjoy carrying them, that's why I've been piling them up.

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...

Already have something in the works, a plan to try an "ivory snake" pattern white juma scale on a black Southard, suggested by another bladeforums user recently in another thread. Coincidentally, I'd previously considered the same idea, messaging keyman some time ago inquiring about the white juma and some silver twill to add a lighter color Southard to my rotation.

Who know what the next one after that will hold, though I'm still planning for a Timascus version at some point as well. I do need to figure out what I need to do to go about acquiring the real deal at some point as well, I suppose I should get working on that too.

 

[johnwitwer]

Both are amazing, I think it comes down to personal preference and the style of knife you tend to carry.

 

[Sonnydaze]

I've owned two of each. The Southard fit my large hand better, nicer length of blade, and the 204P steel is a great bonus.
The Domino is a good flipper, but just isn't equal to the Domino.

 

[Revival29]

I've owned two of each. The Southard fit my large hand better, nicer length of blade, and the 204P steel is a great bonus.
The Domino is a good flipper, but just isn't equal to the Domino.

Hey Sonnydaze, I dont think your brain and your heart are not on the same page.

 

[evilgreg]

Props to evilgreg for the prettiest Southards on BF. I always enjoy ogling them.

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.

The 0801 is my current favorite ZT design, it's pretty and it flips well and feels comfortable in the hand. But like many ZTs, it's a tank, a heavy pocket brick of a thing. Also, the Domino and Southard both cut better than it does, between the crappy geometry (too-thick blade width with that full width occurring pretty far down from the spine yields a wide triangle, the blade thick behind the edge and wedge-ey in use) and subpar elmax performance (some swear by it, but my 0560 and 0801 might as well be made from 8Cr13Mov as frequently as they need touching up).

Still, even if it is bad for cutting stuff, I still love the thing. I carry mine in jeans regularly, and it made me forget about my 0560.

IMO, though, it goes Southard > 0801 (too heavy, doesn't always make the best knife) > Domino (oddly shaped folding spatula-slash-spackle knife)

Here is a photo of all three next to each other:

 

[PURPLEDC]

this is a tough call and I feel it really depends on your needs. The southard really is superlative in the fit and finish department. I love the ergos and blade shape as well. But the domino has some advantages. The blade is a full flat grind which is better for slicing and food prep. If you like to cut apples with your knife the domino is the one you want. As far as the lock bar interface I would not get too hung up on it. They do increase the life of the lock face but I have never had a problem with a titanium lock face wearing to the point that it would be needed. IMHO its a neat data point but completely unnecessary feature. I would say if your looking for a jack of all trades EDC the domino is the way to go. If you want a knife that looks the part of a custom and has perfect fit and finish with extremely well executed super steel blade then the southard is hard to beat.

 

[Thegrossmaster]

For a general use everyday knife, my choice word be a blue Domino, or even better, one with a REAL carbon fibre scale. I don't like a sheepsfoot on any knife, but especially with a Spyderco, I want a flat ground leaf blade. It's versatile, doesn't sacrifice strength for sharpness or vice versa, it's a non-intimidating look almost like a kitchen knife (check out the Manaro Bulls Eye for an intimidating grind!), and the leaf just screams Spyderco. Secondly, I don't like how the Southard uses G10 for its lockbar stabilizer, a piece of anodized titanium would have been kick ass IMO. But for something pretty just to play with and collect, you can't beat the cachet of anything that says Southard on it!
Anyways my criticisms are really just difference in taste, I'm certain you'd be well served either way, good luck with the purchase!

 

[AF]

I have to chuckle at evilgreg's description of the Domino. I think its looks appeal most to Spyderco fans. The leaf shape blade and choil are common Spyderco features. The Southard looks like it could be a Benchmade product. I have both and you can't go wrong with either. The Taichung-made Spydercos have perfect F&F.

 

[evilgreg]

I have to chuckle at evilgreg's description of the Domino. I think its looks appeal most to Spyderco fans. The leaf shape blade and choil are common Spyderco features. The Southard looks like it could be a Benchmade product. I have both and you can't go wrong with either. The Taichung-made Spydercos have perfect F&F.

I know I joke, but this bit is true: holding the Domino when open gives me a strange urge to grab a tub of compound and use the Domino to scoop out a big dollop to smear over some recently taped drywall joints . . .

It has to be one of my favorite things about Spyderco, though, the wild range of options. They have all sorts of different shapes and sizes and steels in their catalog, you have to love them for that (as well as for a pile of other reasons). Something for everyone in there, really.

 

[uofaengr]

There's a post in another thread talking about the size of the Southard in person compared to pics online. I haven't been able to find one in person, but there was a pic next to a 0561 and it looked like a giant next to the Southard. I'm trying to get an idea how slim this knife is. Are we talking Endura slim? Or BM 940 or 710 slim? I wouldn't mind seeing some comparison pics next to some of these if anyone has the time.

Edit: the pic is in a recent ad in the exchange.

 

[evilgreg]

There's a post in another thread talking about the size of the Southard in person compared to pics online. I haven't been able to find one in person, but there was a pic next to a 0561 and it looked like a giant next to the Southard. I'm trying to get an idea how slim this knife is. Are we talking Endura slim? Or BM 940 or 710 slim? I wouldn't mind seeing some comparison pics next to some of these if anyone has the time.

Edit: the pic is in a recent ad in the exchange.

Here you go, three great designs and that one design with a pituitary problem and the ability to count to potato (excuse the low quality photo shot in the dark):

 

[uofaengr]

Here you go, three great designs and that one design with a pituitary problem and the ability to count to potato (excuse the low quality photo shot in the dark):

Man that's some nice folders in one shot, two of which I do own. I'd say it looks pretty slim. Right between a 940 and 710 and about a half ounce less than a 710. Blade length about the same as a 940. Not bad....

That low rider clip looks great on there too.