Southard, Domino, ZT0561, or...?

Im a bike mechanic and relate to having greasy hands all day, I mostly carry my ZT 0560BW, but I do rotate through a few others to spice things up and can highly recommend them all for daily use in a field that requires me to cut some pretty crappy stuff on a daily basis (zip ties, hydraulic hose, crap people dont wash off their bikes and it turns into something resembling cement :rolleyes:)
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1. Benchmade 810
2. Benchmade 710
3. Benchmade 580
4. ZT 0560BW
5. ZT 0350
 
No_b00st said:
Looking for a Ti framelock flipper with a bearing pivot and good steel and ergos somewhere around ~$200 actual retail. Looks like the domino is about $185, the 0561 about $195, and the southard around $220 - any other high quality options I'm missing? Opinions between these three? I'm a mechanic and don't baton thru Jeeps or whatever, but I do use my knives frequently. Looking for a snappy manual flipper.
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If you're going to use this as a working knife in a greasy environment, stick with G10 for handle material.

10 good fingers are good.....
 
I think the 0561 (or 0801 if that interests you).

If you are looking for a knife with toughness, I think the 0561 is substantially tougher than virtually any folder in that price class, plus I like how ELMAX performs when cutting through materials such as copper wire or rug. On the downside, it is a little heavier and a pretty large carry profile. The hollow grind on the Southard, plus the steel, may not be the best option if you are looking for a knife in which blade toughness/edge toughness is very important. It's a great knife nonetheless.

I got a Guardian Tactical Helix a few months ago in CPM-154 steel which I am really digging. It was closer to $270 but I think it may interest you as well. The fit and finish of it is exceptional, IMO.
 
I have owned a Domino and 801, and handled a Southard and 560 extensively. If you want a tough as nails knife to thrash, get the 560. If you want a small and fun EDC, get the Domino. If you want a knife that is classy as hell, able to take a thrashing, and look good doing it... get an 801.

I can't honestly recommend the Southard. As a lefty, I couldn't find a single redeeming feature to it other than blade steel. Blade shape is weird, it fits the hand weird, the flipping action wasn't astounding (it was in a dealer case, so no tinkering to get it right so it can get a pass here), and the pocket clip is both oppressive to lefties and not that good of a design, both not sleek and also just way too odd.

Out of all the knives, I wanted to love the Domino, but the clip rode pretty high and the handle was massive for the dinky blade. Ergonomics were astounding though. Jimping was perfect. If the handle was shorter, the knife could be perfect, but alas it was like a macho body builder torso with legs from somebody 2 feet taller. I have to give my recommendation to the 560 if you need harder use, or the 801 if it will be a normal EDC.
 
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