Going for the Southard

[Wolverine666]

I have always been "anti-flipper". They just always seemed gimmicky to me. But they are very popular and seem to sell well. Anyway , after looking extensively at the Southard I decided to change my tune. I'm not saying that I now love flippers because I don't. But the Southard looks so impressive to me that (flipper or not) I want it.

Thick CTS-204P blade , thick dark titanium frame and frame lock , G10 handle that isn't black ....yeah I shall make this knife mine.

Is the Southard a Tai Chung model ?

 

[NoFair]

It works fine without flipping. I dislike flippers, but still love my Southard and there is a Domino coming as well... I have considered grinding off the flipper, but it isn't really in the way..

 

[bld522]

Let's hear it for the Spyderhole. :thumbup: :thumbup:

Actually, I find the Southard MUCH easier to deploy with the flipper than with the Spyderhole. But it works either way. Nice to have options, mais non?

And to answer your question, Wolverine, yes. The Southard is made in Taichung. It's also my favorite Spyderco model.

 

[Wolverine666]

Let's hear it for the Spyderhole. :thumbup: :thumbup:

Actually, I find the Southard MUCH easier to deploy with the flipper than with the Spyderhole. But it works either way. Nice to have options, mais non?

And to answer your question, Wolverine, yes. The Southard is made in Taichung. It's also my favorite Spyderco model.

Excellent. I'm excited for a new Tai Chung Spydie. The f&f is always outstanding.

 

[bld522]

No knife is perfect for everyone, but the Southard is damn near perfect for me. And I own knives that cost much more than it does. I doubt you'll be disappointed. Whatever you do, though, buy it from an authorized dealer. There are too many Southard clones out there and some of them are too close for comfort.

 

[Wolverine666]

No knife is perfect for everyone, but the Southard is damn near perfect for me. And I own knives that cost much more than it does. I doubt you'll be disappointed. Whatever you do, though, buy it from an authorized dealer. There are too many Southard clones out there and some of them are too close for comfort.

I'm really excited about it. I'll be buying my new Southard from KW , GPK , or KC.

 

[bld522]

That'll work.

 

[tvenuto]

A great choice, my friend. It's probably my most impressive Spyderco, the F&F is phenomenal, definitely better than my first Taichung model: the PPT. The hole on the Southard is smallish, but as others have said, it's usable if you don't feel like flipping it out. I also like that it has a much different form factor than most Spydies when closed, making it very slim in the pocket.

 

[mark jeneson]

Great choice. I use the flipper half the time. Sometimes it's handy. Extremely solid knife overall. One of my favorites.

 

[Wolverine666]

This thing looks superbly well-built and beefy without being obtrusive. And after seeing and owning an endless sea of black G10 scaled knives , the brown G10 of the Southard is a welcome change.

 

[bld522]

At 4.1 ounces, the Southard is about the largest knife I'm willing to carry. I carry it clipless as I do all my pocket knives. If you want to get into custom scales, here's a little eye candy courtesy of evilgreg:

 

[Wolverine666]

I remove the clips from all of my knives too. Does the flipper ever catch on your pocket or cause an issue while in your pocket ?

Also , those custom scales are gorgeous. That middle one is calling to me. Where can I find them ?

 

[Rare blade]

The only thing i dislike about the southard is the pocket clip but if you are removing it anyways I wouldn't worry about it, i have an STR clip on mine and it makes it the perfect knife for me.

 

[wvriverats]

I'm really excited about it. I'll be buying my new Southard from KW , GPK , or KC.

I got mine from New Graham, I'm lucky enough to live close the them and go down every once and a while to check out the eye candy!

 

[spketch]

I remove the clips from all of my knives too. Does the flipper ever catch on your pocket or cause an issue while in your pocket ?

Also , those custom scales are gorgeous. That middle one is calling to me. Where can I find them ?

I prefer to use a clip, but I don't think the flipper will cause a problem for you. The detent is pretty strong and the flipper is small enough to be unobtrusive.

I made the first, third, and fifth set of evilgreg's scales there. They are black palm, Oregon maple burl, and ivory snake juma respectively. I believe I have just enough of the maple to pull off one more scale with a liner. I have some more very nice materials as well. Send me a pm or email if you'd like to discuss.

 

[bld522]

You've already got my e-mail, Steve.

 

[evilgreg]

At 4.1 ounces, the Southard is about the largest knife I'm willing to carry. I carry it clipless as I do all my pocket knives. If you want to get into custom scales, here's a little eye candy courtesy of evilgreg:

From the small differences department, my modified Southards (custom scales, STR clips) weigh a touch less. The five in the photo each weigh between 3.75 and 3.85 ounces. Also, I really need to take a better photo of the whole Southard gang at some point.

I remove the clips from all of my knives too. Does the flipper ever catch on your pocket or cause an issue while in your pocket ?

Also , those custom scales are gorgeous. That middle one is calling to me. Where can I find them ?

Bruce has already hooked you up with Steve, I see.

Here is a better photo of that maple burl:

The only thing i dislike about the southard is the pocket clip but if you are removing it anyways I wouldn't worry about it, i have an STR clip on mine and it makes it the perfect knife for me.

I prefer to use a clip, but I don't think the flipper will cause a problem for you. The detent is pretty strong and the flipper is small enough to be unobtrusive.

I made the first, third, and fifth set of evilgreg's scales there. They are black palm, Oregon maple burl, and ivory snake juma respectively. I believe I have just enough of the maple to pull off one more scale with a liner. I have some more very nice materials as well. Send me a pm or email if you'd like to discuss.

@OP: Steve does awesome work, and I can't recommend him highly enough.

 

[Vegas Blade]

I seriously put the Southard squarely into mid-tech territory quality wise. It is an amazing knife for the money. Good size, awesome steel, top shelf F&F, there's not much to not like. Mine sports CF scale and lbs from Sheppard. I find it in my pocket often when I'm in shorts.