Help me Decide! Southard Flipper or Umnumzaan?

Also, for the same price point as the Southard, you can get ZT's flipper. The 0560/61
Ti Framelock
Elmax steel
Bearing Pivot
USA made

ZT0561-2.jpg
 
I've been lusting over a StarTac and will get one this year, I totally expect it to ROCK as does my small Starbenza.

My goodness, the Southard is a very fine knife. It fits right in with Brad's custom work. Definitely a jewel in my collection.

You plan on getting both fairly soon anyway, don't sweat which one first. Flip a coin.
 
5.56 said:
Also, for the same price point as the Southard, you can get ZT's flipper. The 0560/61
Ti Framelock
Elmax steel
Bearing Pivot
USA made



ZT0561-2.jpg
Click to expand...

You can buy both the Southard and ZT for the price of the Zaan.

One is US made if that matters to you ..
 
harleyguy02 said:
You can buy both the Southard and ZT for the price of the Zaan.

One is US made if that matters to you ..
Click to expand...

Just to add to that, one is overseas built with an American made steel and the other is US built with a foreign made steel.

If patriotism is your main concern then the Zaan gets the sweep!
 
If money isn't a consideration get the zaan, knives come and go for me but I seriously doubt I'll ever sell my zaan...
 
If the 'Zaan were fast to deploy and had 2 or 3 higher HRC, I'd agree with you. As is, the other two are much faster and more comfortable to deploy one handed, and the blades retain their edges much longer. I like my 'Zaan, don't get me wrong, and it's an impeccably built knife, but it's expensive for a slow production knife made with very pedestrian steel.
 
Tim616 said:
The quality of the Umnum will make the southard feel exactly as it should... Cheaper.

Many will try to disagree but, they can do that all day, the Umnum is still a much more refined knife...

Having said this if you have your heart set on a flipper, the Umnum is not a flipper. So the choice should be more about what KIND of knife you want.

If you want to experience CRK quality and tolerances the Umnum is the way to go.
Click to expand...

I have both and I am actually carrying the Southard for the last few weeks. The Zaan was my first CRK. I've had many Sebenzas, but only the one Zaan. I enjoy the blade design, but have never managed to close the blade one-handed. Perhaps that's why I'm not carrying it. It has a similar tactical blade design like the Southard.
The Southard is excellent; quick to deploy(flipper) and put away. Nice clip. The blade-steel is MUCH more refined...204P vs S35v is no contest.
I suppose the kicker is that the Southard is available new for less than $250. A new Zaan is $425, and that will make the difference for many people.
IF I COULD ONLY KEEP ONE...I'd keep the Umnumzaan.
I think that if you look at both side-by-side, you'll see why the Zaan costs the extra money.
But I won't knock the Southard. I compliment the folks in Golden, Colorado for such a great flipper. I've always been a fan-boy of both brands.
 
5.56 said:
Also, for the same price point as the Southard, you can get ZT's flipper. The 0560/61
Ti Framelock
Elmax steel
Bearing Pivot
USA made

ZT0561-2.jpg
Click to expand...

I was going Ti get one of those before I got my sage 2 but it's a little to big for me right now. But I still want one;-)
 
NeverMore1701 said:
If the 'Zaan were fast to deploy and had 2 or 3 higher HRC, I'd agree with you. As is, the other two are much faster and more comfortable to deploy one handed, and the blades retain their edges much longer. I like my 'Zaan, don't get me wrong, and it's an impeccably built knife, but it's expensive for a slow production knife made with very pedestrian steel.
Click to expand...

since when did s35vn become a pedestrian steel? lol
i think although its quite american to buy into the designer steel hype... we all get a little too caught up with the latest and greatest super steel
most wouldnt notice the difference 2-3hrc would make... hell i bet most oooooooh, ahhhhhh and wowwwww just seeing "cts204p" not knowing what the hell it is other than it being a magic steel spyderco is using :)

i believe jim allen is custom maker who doesnt stamp his blades with steel type quoting most users wouldnt be able to tell the difference between properly heat treated 440c and s35vn in side by side cut test lolll... i would have to agree

at any rate, not to discredit or talk down any of the knives suggested as theyre all great... just get whatever floats your boat first cause youre probably end up buying them all at one point or another.
 
Jaiofspam said:
since when did s35vn become a pedestrian steel? lol
i think although its quite american to buy into the designer steel hype... we all get a little too caught up with the latest and greatest super steel
most wouldnt notice the difference 2-3hrc would make... hell i bet most oooooooh, ahhhhhh and wowwwww just seeing "cts204p" not knowing what the hell it is other than it being a magic steel spyderco is using :)

i believe jim allen is custom maker who doesnt stamp his blades with steel type quoting most users wouldnt be able to tell the difference between properly heat treated 440c and s35vn in side by side cut test lolll... i would have to agree

at any rate, not to discredit or talk down any of the knives suggested as theyre all great... just get whatever floats your boat first cause youre probably end up buying them all at one point or another.
Click to expand...

S35VN becomes quite pedestrian when it's not heat treated anywhere near it's potential. See Benchmade's early offerings in CPM-M4 for a very similar situation.
 
NeverMore1701 said:
S35VN becomes quite pedestrian when it's not heat treated anywhere near it's potential. See Benchmade's early offerings in CPM-M4 for a very similar situation.
Click to expand...

potential? thats subjective and i believe chris reeve himself has addressed this with his valid reasoning... with that being said, i respect your opinion but to call it pedestrian is a bit unfair.
 
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How sickening is it that we have people complaining that much about 58-59 RC....

Wanna know the hardness levels of the old slip joints and military fixed blades that have been kicking ass for the last OH IDK century? I'll give you a hint... A LOT less than 58-59

I'm talkin knives people actually used until the blade was a sliver, blades that fought wars, NONE of them were usually higher than 56-57 at the best LOL.
 
I like the look of the Southard, and would like to play with one, but thats a spendy knife (as is the Umnumzaan, of course). I may lay low and look for a user if one ever pops up. I do have a ZT0561 and Umnumzaan, so I would be kidding myself if I acted like I would not get a Southard someday. I love flippers, especially with ball bearing pivots (CRKT Ripple), and want to commend Mr. Sal for taking the leap in this direction.
 
I don't own a Southard but I can tell you my Zaan is awesome in everyway. I've also been looking at the Southard but I already have a ZT 561 and it has my flipper needs covered for the time being. I have no doubt the Southard is as great as people say sop its all about what you like more, there totally different knives.
 
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