Southard Avo or Chris Reeve TiLock

H

hoimin

Joined
Jan 21, 2014
Messages
245
Hello BladeForums!

I'm researching for an upgrade and I've narrowed my list down to the Southard Avo and the Chris Reeve TiLock.

Does anyone have feedback and/or photos regarding these two? I've consumed every separate review and video I could find so far, but they're pretty uncommon still. I'm not really in position to buy both, so I'd like to know which one you have a harder time keeping out of your pocket. Side-by-side photos would be appreciated as well.

Alternative suggestions wouldn't hurt either, if you're so inclined.
I'm looking for a 3-3.5" gentlemen's folder of proven quality under $500. I favour full titanium handle scales, good blade:handle ratios, and non-thumbstud openers. I'm right-handed, so ambidexterity is not critical. My current EDC is a Spyderco Techno which I'd like to augment with something longer and dressier (but not too tacticool-mall-ninja or overly ornate).

Thanks :o
 
Two very, very different knives. I owned the Spyderco Southard, didn't care for the shape and operation of the flipper, or the handle shape. The Avo seems very similar, so for me, I'd stay away. From everything I hear, you can't go wrong with Chris Reeve. The Ti-lock has always intrigued me.
 
I don't know if you really want another Spyderco since it seems you'd like an upgrade from your Techno, but I have heard nothing but good things about the Slysz Bowie.

I love the Ti-Lock. Perfect size for my hand, just between a Small and Large Sebenza. The mechanism is a little tricky, but you get used to it.
 
Thanks for the feedback so far.

I did originally intend to spring for the Spyderco Southard, but by the time I get a Ti scale to replace the uneven brown G10, I'm within Avo territory. I like the sound of the Slysz Bowie, but I am looking for narrower edge to spine height.
 
I love my AVO...

Here is my AVO with the black Brad Southard. Both are great.



...and here is the AVO with a large CRK Sebenza...



The specs of the Ti-lock show that it is much shorter in closed length (less than 4") than the AVO..which is ~4.5". The Ti-lock is basically similar to the SMALL Sebenza size, which is TOO SMALL for my hand.

The AVO fits my hand just great. The AVO weighs a bit more and has a thicker blade thickness.
So, as someone above posted...there is no real comparison between the Ti-Lock and the AVO...just CONTRAST.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the tips about the handle, Sonnydaze. Your review of the Avo has been very helpful in narrowing down my options and comparing sizes.

My hand can get a full four finger grip on the Techno so I'm not expecting there to be issues with the TiLock. If anything the Avo might feel too large (had this feeling with the PM2). That's why I'm looking for some direct comparison photos. Other than the size specs, they appear to be quite similar to me: great blade:handle ratios, slight negative blade angle, proven drop point blade style.
 
Thanks Ajack60! What a solid lineup! The Southard looks so sharp in twill.
I might be able to make a composite comparison photograph with yours and Sonnydaze's photos using the large Sebenza to match the sizes.
 
I'm bad at photoshop, but I've thrown together all the knives I've had interest in as well as the Avo and TiLock. Image components were approximately scaled by the large Sebenza in those photos.
titanium%20comparison.jpg
 
There's nothing wrong with how you cropped those different pics. Looking at it, although the Avo is a good choice for a dress knife, I'd vote for the Ti Lock. Not because I have one, because based on the pics, the Ti Lock is friendlier in appearance. The only drawback on the Avo is that it is a flipper and around some people, it would be threatening. Personally, I don't associate a gentleman's knife being a flipper.
 
Ajack60 said:
There's nothing wrong with how you cropped those different pics. Looking at it, although the Avo is a good choice for a dress knife, I'd vote for the Ti Lock. Not because I have one, because based on the pics, the Ti Lock is friendlier in appearance. The only drawback on the Avo is that it is a flipper and around some people, it would be threatening. Personally, I don't associate a gentleman's knife being a flipper.
Click to expand...

Fantastic point. I can't see a way I could slowly and politely flip open an Avo in an office setting. Even now I only use the Techno in relative privacy or around co-workers who are well aware of it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top