Emerson and Southern Grind -birds of a feather?

Shorttime

Shorttime

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I noticed the other day that Southern Grind's knives seem similar to Emerson's, and it goes well beyond licensing the wave.

I just wanted to put the observation out there, to see if others felt the same way.

Or, if I'm just imagining things because I've spent too much time in the world of knives?

What do you think?
 
Besides the wave the biggest similarity is those horrendous tanto blades. I love a good american tanto (see ZT 700) but Emerson's and SG's look incredibly bad IMO.

But I can definitely see the similarities in design, I do really like
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SG's drop point blade however.
 
Shorttime said:
I noticed the other day that Southern Grind's knives seem similar to Emerson's, and it goes well beyond licensing the wave.

I just wanted to put the observation out there, to see if others felt the same way.

Or, if I'm just imagining things because I've spent too much time in the world of knives?

What do you think?
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Yes, I would agree. I would say the SG (Southern Grind) knives are of superior build quality and superior overall finish quality. Kinda like if Spyderco Taiwan were to make an Emerson. I acquired a 4" SG as an attempt to get the positive features I liked in an Emerson, in a build quality that was acceptable to me. I went with the non-licensed version to get the 4" blade instead of paying for licensing fee and resultant shorter blade.

I would add to the OP references " ... Southern Grind's knives seem similar to Emerson's, and it goes well beyond licensing the wave."; that the SG folders are somewhat a hybrid of Emerson & Strider ... Both of these brands have features I like, but yet have application of features (related to build) that I do not accept (low finish quality and funky blade-geometries on Emerson's, lock geometry issues & thick secondary BTE on Striders). SG features include the things I like from both of these manufactures, combined with a Spyderco-esk build quality. The SG double-edged tip on the tanto grinds they do is actually a pretty nice little specialty feature. A win/win/win :-)

I only had to handle one SG to say, that is a value mix of things I like and worth the acquisition fee ..., especially considering it's American Made!

The SG inclusion of proprietary faster hardware ... hmmm, VERY mixed opinion on this I have (but not a deal breaker or maker).

EDIT:
Southern Grind Bad Monkey 4" Tanto
- Strider-esque Pomel Shape & Lock-Bar Cutout
- Emerson-esque General Build w/Exposed Ti-Liners & Lock-Bar
- Saber-Grind w/Secondary and unique dual-edged Tanto-Tip
- Owner selectable options are numerous with little upcharge.
 
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Ive only looked at a few of the SG knives but do your guys really think, that they are that alike to Emerson handles?

There might be some, I havent seen, but to me there was a difference.
 
Looks wise the Bad Monkey and Spider Monkey definitely have some similarities. I think it mostly stops at looks. Build quality, materials and fit and finish are definitely different. Southern Grind is branching out more to there own look with the Penguin. They make a great knife so if the interest is there I would not be afraid to get one!

https://flic.kr/p/MZT7oJ https://www.flickr.com/photos/57703464@N02/
 
I guess there are some similarities, overall SG has much better fit and finish. Also while everyone won't agree I love the SG Tanto!

Mike
 
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I have a SG Bad Monkey and I love it. It made me interested in getting an Emerson as well, except it already has all the features I was looking for in an Emerson (4" blade especially) so I decided to hold off. Also, SG customer service is outstanding so I figure I will beat mine to death before getting another Emersonesque blade. From what I have read, Zac Brown is an Emerson fan so maybe thats why his knives are similar.
 
SGs look great, and I've heard good things. However, I've been using Emersons exclusively in terms of folders and I have nothing negative to report. My Super CQC7 has been my edc since I bought it from Scott (Whitty), and it has been perfect... total laser and tough enough. Just different cups of tea. As for similarities, sure, there are some... but there are enough differences (nothing necessarily negative) to distinguish their various models.
 
People really seem to love the southern grind knives, and I'm sure they are great blades from an American company. Aesthetically am I the only one that thinks they're tantos look strange? Almost like it was accidentally chipped?
 
rcb2000 said:
People really seem to love the southern grind knives, and I'm sure they are great blades from an American company. Aesthetically am I the only one that thinks they're tantos look strange? Almost like it was accidentally chipped?
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Looked a bit strange to me at first until I realized that the top edge is sharpened. Takes the stabby tanto concept to the next level. I would like to get one some day.


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oxman198 said:
Looked a bit strange to me at first until I realized that the top edge is sharpened. Takes the stabby tanto concept to the next level. I would like to get one some day.
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Ahh,, interesting..
That does make it more appealing. :thumbup:
 
I can't find a source straight from the horse's mouth but posters are always saying zac brown's a big emerson fan. So I guess it makes sense that's where he'd draw inspiration from starting out. I can see a resemblance. But emerson's don't really do it for me while SG caught my attention the first time I saw a photo of their knives.
 
Is SG relatively new to the market or have just been in a cave for a while? I don't remember hearing about them until relatively recently and now they seem to be quite popular. Everything I have seen seems positive, so good for them! I was just wondering.
 
Zac Brown likes Emerson knives so that probably has something to do with it. Somewhere out in internet land is a picture of Zac Brown wearing an Emerson t-shirt and most likely an Emerson knife in his pocket.
 
pmallon said:
Is SG relatively new to the market or have just been in a cave for a while? I don't remember hearing about them until relatively recently and now they seem to be quite popular. Everything I have seen seems positive, so good for them! I was just wondering.
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I've had my Bad Monkey for going on two years now. I had researched them for about 3 months prior. Also, would be interested in when production knives began & story behind the startup. I remeber they also have a camp program g do good things in their community (profits reinvest). Good reasons to support them in my mind 👍

http://www.campsouthernground.org/

Regards,
 
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whitty would probably have the best info. But I believe they started making folders in 2012, but made fixed blades before that.
 
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Better steels, better fit and finish, carbon fiber very well done. Less "let me shove my tacticalness down your throat" image as well.
 
They have been around longer than people think. For the first year or two, they only did direct from the factory sales. As a matter of fact, I think Whitty was the first, or at least one of the first to start selling them. I have heard nothing but good things about them and have had a few of their knives that were both top notch.
 
Spey said:
I've had my Bad Monkey for going on two years now. I had researched them for about 3 months prior. Also, would be interested in when production knives began & story behind the startup. I remeber they also have a camp program g do good things in their community (profits reinvest). Good reasons to support them in my mind 👍

http://www.campsouthernground.org/

Regards,
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Yes, they certainly are! Thanks for the info.
 
The Southern Grind knives don't have the fit, finish and build quality of a product assembled by developmentally disabled blind folks with poor manual dexterity, so clearly they're better than Emerson products.
 
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