Fluted Ti Native vs Southard, which is a better buy..?

[Greyhulk]

Looking to get either one of the 2 but I'm sure if should get the flipper or the native..
They both look awesome and I would use it for EDC..
Just curious to see what the members on the forum can help me with my decision..

Btw they are almost the same price.. +-$10

 

[Barman1]

For the same price? Grab the Ti Native.

 

[jball1125]

Pure preference here. What do you prefer, flipper or thumbstud, framelock or back lock?

Personally I prefer the flipper and the frame lock so its an easy pick for me.

 

[bh49]

I would take Ti Fluted Native over Southard any time. I love midlocks and do not care about flippers. I have 561 and after playing with it for a month I completely lost my interest in flipping. For me Ti Fluted Native5 looks much better. I carry it on special occasions and got quite a few comments about beauty of the knife. So if you have a chance I would grab it. Ergos are fantastic. I really like rounded scales.

 

[senorsquare]

That's a tough choice as they are both very nice knives. I think the Native 5 has better ergos, but the southard packs a lot more blade into a fairly compact package. Do you have a lock preference? I prefer liner/frame locks, but the lockback native 5 still ends up in my pocket quite often.

 

[SSonnentag]

For a user, I prefer the Southard. For a collection piece, the Fluted Ti Native would be my choice.

 

[evilgreg]

For a user, I prefer the Southard. For a collection piece, the Fluted Ti Native would be my choice.

+1 to this. IMO, the Southard is generally superior, but the fluted ti Native is prettier and probably a lot more collectible.

 

[FCM415]

Man, that IS tough. I don't know..Arghh^$#^% N...5... There I picked one. This may come down to which lock you prefer and if you are okay with backlocks. I like the flipper/RIL but the N5 is strong at everything else the Southard is good at too. Just to add, the N5 uses a pivot like the PM2 which makes it unique amongst backlocks that it free swings and is very easy to use one handed.

Better buy as far as value, they are priced right in my opinion and are equality great buys.
N5: Golden Co, FLUTED ti, great N5 platform that I love, a centerpiece in a collection.
Southard: Taiwan F&F and build quality is really up there the two I've had were quite perfect... strong word I know, price bump due to collab, Ti/204P, absurdly awesome folder.

Other than in steel, I cannot say that the Southard is superior even as an acual user. The N5 is a fantastic EDC. The fluted Ti, is nothing to scoff at either. It's functional art, serves a purpose not to mention that it took great work from the guys from Golden to make it. I'd like to S110v swap one - one day.

 

[RamZar]

The Native 5 Fluted Titanium is a tough one to find and it's a stunning beauty. So, I'd get that one.

The Southard is personally Spyderco's best folder and a great flipper to boot. Carries small and with a CF scale looks great too.

 

[Stainz]

If you don't have a G10 N5, I'd get that first. At half the fluted Ti's price, you get the same blade and knife design and will have a user to boot. Believe me, the N5 is a definite user, too. In the odd chance you aren't as fond of it you are part way there for the Southard! Every time I go by my local shop I look at their remaining fluted Ti N5 - it's neat, especially nice for display, but twice the G10, not so great - and it's both thicker and heavier, albeit slightly, than the G10, too. Then there is the 'patina' - or 'character' - Ti will gain when pocket carried - witness my similar Wilson Combat 'StarTac' variant of a CRK Umnuumzaan after less than a year of occasional pocket carry (It's been carried in a pocket sheath for the last two plus years.):

I'll bet that the polished fluted Ti N5 will show pocket carry. Still, it is handsome!

Stainz

 

[Greyhulk]

I have the Forum edition s110v N5....
I would love to get the Startac instead but at $450++ is to much for me..

If you don't have a G10 N5, I'd get that first. At half the fluted Ti's price, you get the same blade and knife design and will have a user to boot. Believe me, the N5 is a definite user, too. In the odd chance you aren't as fond of it you are part way there for the Southard! Every time I go by my local shop I look at their remaining fluted Ti N5 - it's neat, especially nice for display, but twice the G10, not so great - and it's both thicker and heavier, albeit slightly, than the G10, too. Then there is the 'patina' - or 'character' - Ti will gain when pocket carried - witness my similar Wilson Combat 'StarTac' variant of a CRK Umnuumzaan after less than a year of occasional pocket carry (It's been carried in a pocket sheath for the last two plus years.):

I'll bet that the polished fluted Ti N5 will show pocket carry. Still, it is handsome!

Stainz

 

[bh49]

If you don't have a G10 N5, I'd get that first. At half the fluted Ti's price, you get the same blade and knife design and will have a user to boot.
Stainz

This is true, but unfortunately Ti fluted is not easy available, so if you see one, grab it. Currently Native5 is my favorite knife. I have it in five flavors. The most used and carried is the forum knife. I love scales and probably do not need to comment on S110V. Unfortunately for people who didn't buy one, they are getting expensive on secondary market.

 

[Ken44]

Very different knives as you know.
We have no idea which you may like better. Get the one that has the features that YOU like the best.
Good luck.

 

[cujobob]

I've never held or used the native but I say go for whichever you prefer best now and if you're not blown away, sell it for just under what you paid. The ergos on the Southard are outstanding for my hands but everyone is different.

 

[Murdamook]

I agree with the collection statement. I prefer the g10 Native 5 to the fluted ti model. If you want a user, buy a g10 model or the Southard. If you want it for the collection buy the fluted ti. You could just go another direction and get the forum Native in green g10 and s110v for probably the same price.

 

[SteelStickler]

I gotta say I was pretty underwhelmed by the Southard - and i know that's the exception to the rule of people LOVING the southard - and I've never held a native 5, but the advantage with these pieces is that their resale value is there, and the demand is there. I actually sold the southard i had for $10 more than i bought it for, so you can sort of rest assured that whichever you choose you can resell should you find it lacking in some way (just don't sharpen it!)

 

[salmonkiller]

The Native 5 Ti is a beautiful knife and I can't say that I feel the same love for the Southard.I will never sell my N5 Ti.I ponder how many will be produced when it's all said and done?I recommend that you should follow your heart and I think you will be pleased regardless of which knife anyone suggests.

 

[bh49]

I have the Forum edition s110v N5....

Sorry, I missed this. So you have an idea about ergos. Ti Fluted may be even a little better due to rounded scales. S35N is a good steel. Actually I will carry mine tonight.

 

[austonh]

I have 561 and after playing with it for a month I completely lost my interest in flipping.

I was in the same boat with my 0560, then I got the Domino and everything changed in regards to flippers.

 

[atony]

I have 2 Southard's and sold the Ti Native, so I say Southard. I will grab another Ti Native though at some point.