Having trouble pulling the trigger on a Spyderco Southard Flipper.

Coalman · Dec 13, 2012

Usagee said:
The BM 300 doesn't look like it has enough detent strength to build up enough energy for proper deployment without wrist flicking; a downside for some.

The BM300 Axis lock has the same feel that every other Axis lock I've handled before has. As far as I can tell, it was not modified for for the flipper addition. It doesn't create the same resistance that a well executed detent does before deployment that snaps the blade to lock. The feel is softer and slower and is easy to imagine if you've ever slowly moved and Axis locked knife blade out using the thumb stud.

bh49 · Dec 13, 2012

mkjellgren said:
It's pretty much 6 of one half a dozen of the other and size is the biggest factor but the Southard does have some advantages such as better blade steel, a ti liner on the G10 side versus the steel liner on the ZT, and arguably better fit and finish. Every single example I've seen pics or videos of in addition to my own has absolutely flawless fit and finish all the way down to the lock up being almost exactly in the same spot on every one. The consistency is astounding. I honestly don't think I've heard of a single person claiming any problems what-so-ever with the Southard. It really is an absolutely game changing knife in terms of the quality it exudes. It's really on the same level in my opinion as any CRK I've ever handled and from the sounds of it, I'm not the only one who feels that way.

I am not sure that 204P better than Elmax is correct, IMHO all depends on application.Not sure what kind of benefits Ti liner in this case can give me either. It makes the knife more expensive for sure, which is not a plus. I didn't hear complains about F&F on 561. Mine is perfect. Less weight can be a plus for some. I know that Southard is very hot now. 561 had time to cool down and can be find for much less than Southard. Still 561 is a great knife. Both are quite expensive in my book. Probably I will wait and give both of the test of the time and ask the same question a year from now.

RemyKaze · Dec 13, 2012

If you're having trouble deciding on something, don't do it. And coming here for advice on whether to buy something knife related will just feed that impulse buying. Just sayin'.

Wet Noodle · Dec 13, 2012

I wonder if it's worth twice the Gayle Bradley. Haven't tried that blade steel yet... is it on par with M4? I'm not much of a flipper fan, but I like the blade shape of the Southard.

mkjellgren · Dec 13, 2012

bh49 said:
I am not sure that 204P better than Elmax is correct, IMHO all depends on application.Not sure what kind of benefits Ti liner in this case can give me either. It makes the knife more expensive for sure, which is not a plus. I didn't hear complains about F&F on 561. Mine is perfect. Less weight can be a plus for some. I know that Southard is very hot now. 561 had time to cool down and can be find for much less than Southard. Still 561 is a great knife. Both are quite expensive in my book. Probably I will wait and give both of the test of the time and ask the same question a year from now.

You're right, 204p being "better" than elmax does depend on application. Elmax is tougher, 204p blows elmax out of the water in edge retention. For my uses I need edge retention over toughness, so for me 204p is substantially "better" than elmax. In terms of the ti liner, yeah, probably don't need that either, but on a high end knife its really less about need and more about want. Ti is lighter than steel, it also matches the locking side appearance wise, so again, if given the choice, ti is "betyer". Fit and finish is obviously top notch on both, but looking at my 0560 compared to my southard, the Southard just FEELS like a nicer knife. The ZT feels like a $250 knife to me, the Southard feels like a $400 knife. Also, if you look around you can get a Southard for less than the ZT. Mine cost me $223 shipped to my door. Add that to the fact that the Southard is arguably a better EDC size yet packs as much cutting edge as a military and for me, the Southard comes out way ahead. I just flat out like it better. You're right, they are both great knives, and the Southard is hot right now, so there is going to be quite a bit of hype (just like there was with the zt), but you'd be doing yourself a huge disservice by not at least trying to get one in your hands, it really is THAT good.

jill jackson · Dec 13, 2012

bh49 said:
Can you explain why? I have 561 and cannot imagine how southard can be better.

I have both and the ZT is a great knife, but I can get the ZT's lock to flex if I grab the blade by the end and put some pressure on it. The Spyderco no way. That's about all I can find where the Spyderco is a tiny bit better, if that even makes it any better at all. (no I don't think the ZT would break easier or come unlocked easier) I like them both and wouldn't say either is really "better" Spyderco is quite a bit more compact and the ZT has a bit more size. Two different knives made by two different companies, they both have bearings and super steel. Better really doesn't factor into it, just depends on what you like best and I don't like either "better" myself.

jill jackson · Dec 13, 2012

MDQBox said:
Hi, I've read and viewed numerous reviews about the Spyderco Southard Flipper. For some reason, I'm still not able to pull the trigger and get the knife. I think it's in no small part to the price ($275+). Should I wait for a POSSIBLE price drop or will there even be one? Maybe even a possible price increase?

To answer this question, yes probably the price will drop a bit when the market becomes stocked. Every great knife that comes out tends to be snapped up fast and the price charged tends to be higher than when most people that can't wait have them and they aren't flying off the shelf. I think the Southard will be available for a long time, as Spyderco doesn't generally discontinue the Taiwanese made models very fast and the factory seems to be able to crank them out fairly well. I'd say you'll see them available for 220-240 soon enough. I paid 240 for mine so 275+ is a price created by high demand/low numbers at the present.

bh49 · Dec 13, 2012

mkjellgren said:
if you look around you can get a Southard for less than the ZT. Mine cost me $223 shipped to my door.

Fortunately many forum member, including me paid about $20 less for 561

I never was crazy about Ti framelocks, but I love this one.
Hopefully I will get green para soon and will start loving 204P more than anything before.

slight · Jan 6, 2013

I have a serrated socom delta in cts 204p and the non serrated portion hasn't really dulled since I got it over the summer. It can be painful to sharpen though as far as I can tell with my light touch ups. I prefer cpm m4. Still get high edge retention, some toughness, able to be ground real thin and easy as all get out to sharpen. But you need to oil it a tiny bit whereas with cts 204p or vg10 for that matter I haven't done much more than wipe it off on my shirt.

It is all relative. I think elmax is easier to sharpen supposedly, but I haven't gotten my hands on any... Yet

tomsch · Jan 6, 2013

I paid $224 for my Southard. Of course they are sold out again but I'm sure soon the market will be up to speed similar to the product ramp of the ZT. Discussions between the two knives come down to the fact that they are different in terms of size and blade steel. I say just buy both!