Sell it to me!!! Southard or Stretch 2

CryoGuy5272

CryoGuy5272

Joined
Jan 2, 2015
Messages
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It's new knife time again. I've narrowed it down to the two mentioned in the title. I'm already a huge fan of the Stretch design. No real experience with either steel so that doesn't matter. Tell me why I should get one or the other.
 
It is pretty subjective but I largely favor the Stretch2 for many reasons. I will always take thinner stock over thicker, I prefer a backlock to a ti frame lock, I prefer a FFG to a hollow grind, I prefer a satin blade over a stonewashed blade, I prefer choils over the added edge length you get without one, I prefer an easy to operate Spydie hole to a flipper, I prefer washers over bearings, I prefer a symetrical knife over one with two different scale thicknesses and I don't favor internal stop pins. I do love CTS204P but ZDP is a steel I also enjoy. I own both and carry my Stretch2 all the time and never carry my Southard. The Southard is super nice, with a great steel and the fit and finish is spectacular. It just isn't a good fit for me. I don't mean to put the Southard down and would never try to talk someone out of buying one. I hope I highlighted some of the key differences to help you decide which is right for you.
 
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I Was going to say something very similar to bearfaced. I'll put it like this although I'm getting into muddy waters.
If you want a knife to carry and cut stuff the stretch
If you like design technology and a piece to have and play with it the southard.
Just my opinion of course but a folder with a 4mm thick blade it's not gonna do it for me.
Mateo
 
stretch to use as a cutting too,and EDC,southard when in a dark alley and in need of back-up!and vary fun to play with.:)
 
Two winning designs there. I would say southard though for fit and finish that is on par with knives costing double.
 
They are both cool...
I didn't realize how expensive...
But, I have the Szabo folder (I wish I knew that they were going to make a black one grrr)
And the Valloton sub hilt I sold to a friend because it was too damn nice for me to carry which is rare.
While I'm here I have the warrior (yeah, wish I knew it would come out in black).
And I recently got a Pygmy warrior that I'm actually liking quite a bit.
Sorry, I haven't helped, I know.
I got carried away looking at the ones you were interested in.
Although, that Szabo folder wicked in hand, and is a bit cheaper than the stretch or the Southard. Just my .02 cents CDN (.0169 U.S.).
 
Stretch all the way.
I like flippers but I can't see myself getting a Spyderco flipper.
The Stretch is a great design and IMO close to perfect size for edc.
 
I was already leaning toward the Stretch and y'all haven't helped change that lol. My Sb stays in my pocket alot of the time
 
I really like the Stretch (over the Endura and/or Delica), and I'm not a big fan of flippers. The Southard is solid awesome knife, but just not for me - So you know where my vote goes.
 
Would really love to find a Nishijin Stretch for a parts knife and stick my SB blade in it. Then get the Stretch two. Add to that my Gayle Bradley and I may never need another folder
 
rpn said:
Two winning designs there. I would say southard though for fit and finish that is on par with knives costing double.
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I agree with this . I wonder if rpn is thinking of CRK s with his comparison. The steel on the Southard is better. The flipper is one of the better ones I ve had and the ability to open the blade easily with your thumb if you choose is a plus. It seems as though the price of the g10 Stretch is a little high when compared with the price of the zdp frn stretch. Two nice knives.
 
whp said:
I agree with this . I wonder if rpn is thinking of CRK s with his comparison. The steel on the Southard is better. The flipper is one of the better ones I ve had and the ability to open the blade easily with your thumb if you choose is a plus. It seems as though the price of the g10 Stretch is a little high when compared with the price of the zdp frn stretch. Two nice knives.
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I've had the Zdp-189 Stretch and while I liked it I like my SB better. I would just get one of those but I don't like frn as much as I used too
 
CryoGuy5272 said:
Would really love to find a Nishijin Stretch for a parts knife and stick my SB blade in it. Then get the Stretch two. Add to that my Gayle Bradley and I may never need another folder
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You ALWAYS need another folder!
 
Easy choice :)

hap40-stretch-4.jpg
 
CryoGuy5272,there are still some Stretch nishjin black for sale,if i'm correct at bladeops.com.good luck.
 
I tried a Southard very briefly but wasn't a fan. Great quality though. Just don't like blades that thick. I don't think I'm crazy about the Stretch 2 because of the added weight and the longer handle. I feel like the original Stretch nails it pretty well. Only thing I might would change is making the choil a little deeper. I really like the FRN so my choice would be HAP40 Stretch.
 
I keep saying I'm going to get a Stretch 2 one of these days... then I keep happily carrying my regular Stretches, and I wonder why I'd want the S2?

I like my blacked out Southard, it is a magnificent piece, but I honestly just don't carry it as often as many other models...
 
Stretch. I have it in ZDP189 carbon and FRP, Hap 40 and Super Blue. I have the Southard. I could not tell you the last time I had the Southard in my pocket. I have the Hap 40 Stretch on the desk right now - just put the Super Blue back in the box. Stretch carries easier. It cuts better. it is more ergonomic. Opens easier (i am not a huge fan of flippers). Sal had his A game on when he put the Stretch together. I do want to pick up the brown ZDP189 - I like that blade steel.
 
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