• The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
    Price is $300 $250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
    Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.

  • Today marks the 24th anniversary of 9/11. I pray that this nation does not forget the loss of lives from this horrible event. Yesterday conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was murdered, and I worry about what is to come. Please love one another and your family in these trying times - Spark

Just ordered my first Spyderco!

B

BlackKnife96

Joined
Sep 28, 2012
Messages
159
I have never had a Spyderco before (prefer thumb studs to the spydie hole) but after seeing pictures and reading reviews I just ordered a Southard. I have been wanting to try a manual flipper with bearings for a while. I considered a ZT 560 but its just too big (I wanted something smaller/lighter than my 0550). It should be here Wednesday!
 
I think once you use the spyder hole you will become a fan. I have two dominoes which are amazing flippers, but I still find myself using the hole to open them. I still buy other brands, but the spyder hole is my favorite opening system.
 
Congrats and wow, first Spyderco and you shot for one of the high end and best regarded. It's build quality boggles the mind. Do note that unlike other Spydercos, the opening hole isn't as easy to get to (because of Brad Southard's no hump design) and most everyone regard it as a flipper only when they talk about it. You can use the hole but don't be put off by it because it isn't like other Spydercos by design. You may have been attracted to it because of the no hump design since you said you prefer other deployment methods. You may owe it to yourself to try out a more conventional hole placement like the PM2 or Endura next go around. :thumbup:
 
Wow, that's pretty good for a first Spydie. I still haven't worked my way up to there yet, but it's getting harder to resist. Sweet knife.
 
That is not a good knife to confirm whether you like the spyderhole as it is buried in the handle and difficult to use compared with other models like the paramilitary 2. By the way they look good with carbon finer scales as well.

P1010011_zpsb0a35d9b.jpg
 
I have 2 southards and it is a blast to use.

However like others have said, the hole is near useless and only offers its trademark look.

Otherwise that hole is very useful to open the knife.

I avoided spyderco for a while because I thought low prices meant inferior quality but they are actually built fairly well.

Just my opinion, ZT aren't nearly as nice as a southard.
 
I don't own a flipper and love the Southard, but with the hole being near useless as you describe, do you still try to use the hole for a slower deployment in public so as not to "scare" non knife folks, or do you not really care? I'm aware there are people who consider any fast opening knife a "switchblade". I'm not saying whether I'd care what anyone thinks, but am curious what you guys think about it; however, I don't want to turn this into another "knives and sheeple" thread. :)
 
uofaengr said:
I don't own a flipper and love the Southard, but with the hole being near useless as you describe, do you still try to use the hole for a slower deployment in public so as not to "scare" non knife folks, or do you not really care? I'm aware there are people who consider any fast opening knife a "switchblade". I'm not saying whether I'd care what anyone thinks, but am curious what you guys think about it; however, I don't want to turn this into another "knives and sheeple" thread. :)
Click to expand...

It is a fairly small knife so not so scary, i can only open it with two hands when using the hole.
 
I can open mine just fine with the spydy hole. It's nowhere near as nice as other spydercos because they round off the inside edge, it is kind of buried deeply in the scale, and there's a little less bite on your thumb. It is certainly less intimidating to open it that way, but it takes away some of the fun...
 
Welcome to the addiction. I recommend a Manix or PM2 if you really want to see how superior the spydie-hole mechanism is.
 
I got the southard for the bearings and flipper; not the spydie hole. I havent bought a spydie previously because I prefer thumb studs to the spydie hole. I may try an Endura one day though..

I eventually want to get a CF or LSCF scale for the southard but Im going to go with a green or black rit dye for a while. I also plan to remove the lanyard tube and to acid stonewash the clip.
 
BlackKnife96 said:
I got the southard for the bearings and flipper; not the spydie hole. I havent bought a spydie previously because I prefer thumb studs to the spydie hole. I may try an Endura one day though..

I eventually want to get a CF or LSCF scale for the southard but Im going to go with a green or black rit dye for a while. I also plan to remove the lanyard tube and to acid stonewash the clip.
Click to expand...

Congrats on your first spyderco. The southard is a great knife with superb fit and finish. I tried to like it myself, but I dunno I just don't really care for flippers I think. IMO spyderco has the most practical and functional one handed opening knives in existence. I tried a southard recently, but I'm just so used to using the hole that the flipper just didn't win me over. It felt...I don't know...gimmicky. Maybe superfluous is a better word, as gimmicky sort of implies cheap and that's certainly not what I'm trying to say. Don't get me wrong, the thing works perfectly, it's just not for me.

I noticed you mentioned that you prefer thumb studs to the spyderhole. I recommend you buy a regular spyderco (the endura you mentioned is a great option, or its rust proof cousin the pacific salt) and carry it for a month. You might very quickly find yourself whistling a different tune! ;) :D Again, enjoy that southard, it's an awesome knife!
 
Last edited:
Congrats, and I bet you will like it. I am a big fan of manual flippers, love my ZT 0561 and I would not mind a Domino as a classier carry, but I have customs coming this year as I keep moving up so one or two of them will take care of my classy carry.
 
Regarding the spyderhole and how functional it is, I was looking at getting my father, who is a traditional Case, Boker, etc fan, a new knife. I showed him a couple of my Benchmades and he wasn't the biggest fan of the thumbstuds and had trouble using them smoothly. I let him handle my PM2, and he quickly said "I want one of these." He didn't think he'd like the hole but ended up loving it, and he's EDC'd a PM2 ever since. He's a big fan of the Spydie drop.
 
Congrats on ordering your first Spyderco, I just did the same the Mule Team 18. I guess now that's all left for us to do is wait for it to arrive and see if we like it.
 
I have a number of knives with the little thingies sticking out. :p Once you use the hole you won't be the same. Buy a Spyderco with the lock you like best.......then hide your wallet. Sage 1, Caly 3.5, Manix, Bradley folder, Para 2, Domino. Life won't be the same :D
 
Congrats! Interested in hearing your feedback. I always been curious about the Southard but havent gotten one yet myself.
 
There is not currently a 12 step program for it, but I am addicted to Spyderco. "Hi, my name is Scott, and I've been an addict for about twelve years. It started with a Walker, then went to a Starmate, then an Impala, then the Military model, then....when I bought the RockSalt, my wife gave me an ultimatum. I sure do miss her."
 
Congrats! Just bought my first one too. A lot smaller though haha. I got a dragonfly. I know what you mean about the hole, I was a little apprehensive at first, but I like it a lot, even on the smaller knives.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top