DPx Hest vs Southern Grind Spider Monkey

ElConquistador

ElConquistador

Gold Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2007
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Like the title says, looking at getting one of these. The Hest would be the Triple Black model in Niolox, S35VN for the Spider Monkey, either is fine with me, not looking to debate steels. The two knives have some similarities but are quite different, I realize that. Anybody have any thought on the two as compared to each other. My current EDC is a SnG which has been my favorite for a long time now.

Random thoughts on each:

The DPx seems to have its fans. I like the look of it. I like the titanium frame lock. It's Italian which seems cool and I drive a Fiat, so there's that. The bottle opener seems kind of weird. The locking LBS seems kind of gimmicky.

The Southern Grind name seems to come up more and more, I hadn't heard of them until fairly recently. I like the blade shape and size of the Spider Monkey. I'm not a huge fan of the carbon fiber scales, I had one on a Hinderer and it liked to catch on things. Titanium liner lock, it's nice and light compared to the frame lock DPx. Not a huge fan of the fasteners.

I was all set to get the DPx but at this point I'm leaning toward the SG. Open to other suggestions ~$200 but no ZT, no Benchmade, no Spyderco. Looking for something a little different.

Pictures shamelessly stolen from knifecenter.com (should be okay, I think they're a sponsor here).

RPDPHSF105.jpg


SG06030208t.jpg
 
The Hest has a hugely thick blade, the bottle opener works as a pocket wave, the jimping works great as a wire stripper. Its a heavy well built folder and they stand behind them with a solid warranty. The Southern grind is a very much lighter knife, very well made from all I have heard and seen, i don't own that one. I haven't heard anything except good things about them. Very different knives though.
 
Southern Grind makes nice things. That being said, I've no experience as of yet with DPX. I'd say buy them both to mitigate the possibilities of buyer's remorse. :topsy_turvy::topsy_turvy:
 
I haven't got any experience with Southern Grind, but I love my DPx HEST. It's in my pocket right now, as a matter of fact. It's built like a tank. Sometimes the rotating lock get a bit annoying, but other than that it's a great little knife.
 
I have the Southern Grind Bad monkey, the big brother, and its an awesome knife, and gave only heard good things about the spider monkey.
 
I owned a Hest but no longer. As stated a very thick blade and they are known for lock rock. I personally am eyeing the Heat model though. I do currently own a Spyder Monkey which is very very nice in the pocket. Of the two you stated my vote would be the Bad Monkey.
 
hunterjrg said:
I owned a Hest but no longer. As stated a very thick blade and they are known for lock rock. I personally am eyeing the Heat model though. I do currently own a Spyder Monkey which is very very nice in the pocket. Of the two you stated my vote would be the Bad Monkey.
Click to expand...

The Bad Monkey is a bit big for what I'm looking for. I looked at the HEAT a while back for a <3" knife for traveling. I ended up with a ZT0900 (I know, I broke my own "No ZT" rule) but I still like the look of the little HEAT.
 
I have a 900 and carry it often. The Bad Monkey is for me a little larger. Now the Spyder Monkey is just right.
 
I've had both and would buy the spider monkey again in a second, but I won't own a hest again.. poor lock geometry, way to thick of a blade for my needs..
 
Spider Monkey is on my to-do list.
I've had the DPX Hest. One was quite enough...it left again quickly through the back door.
But, I realize this is all about opinions, and there are good folders for each of our individual needs.
 
I have owned HESTs and have handled the Monkeys.

A HEST is for tough outdoor use and excels at it. Mine have had good F&F and lockup. I think the Roto-Lok is a real plus in use. The bottle opener is handy and makes a great wave opener with practice. Glass breaker works very well. That thick blade is a wonder in the woods and the tip is quite strong and allows for some prying. I've carried them both urban and in the wild.

The Monkeys are well-built fancyknives. Fun to flick and would be OK for urban carry and everyday EDC.

I'd be more comfortable with a HEST where occasional outdoor use may be involved though.
 
I do like the bottle opener feature especially when I know Coronas are around.
 
I have both, and have carried both for extended periods of time.

HEST/F: If you want a solid EDC that can also be a weapon (with fast deploying wave feature) and a knife with some other (debatable) tools onboard, this is it.

It fits VERY well in hand as a self-defense tool, especially in reverse grip, is well balanced, and tough.

Spider Monkey: lighter, great blade shape, jimping carved into the "butt end" of the carbon fiber scales makes for good blade retention, and it looks and sits better in slacks than does the HEST.

Every knife is a weapon, but this would suit you more as an EDC than a primary self defense tool.

Quality in both is high-grade, but the SG feels a little better in hand in that regard, because it is a much simpler design than the HEST, a little less busy and "classy."

Weapon: HEST

EDC: Spider Monkey.
 
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