Southard or Sebenza?

[wvriverats]

I have been a dedicated Spyderco knife user/owner for years.

Right now I am looking to pick up a new folder for weekend duty. I have a tried and true Pacific Salt that I carry everyday at work and I love it. I snap it into my the front pocket of my bibs thru the Spydie hole and have not lost it yet. I love the H1 steel! Greatest work knife ever!!!!

I would like to get something to carry on the weekends that won't see the type of duty that my EDC knife does. I have been looking around a lot and like the lock style on the Sebenza. I however, am not to fond of the price. I see that the Southard has the same lock and was wondering if anyone owned both and could give me some pros and cons. I don't think I would like the thumb stud on the Sebenza, I have gotten too accustomed to the hole. I have never owned a "flipper" before and don't know if there is a downside to that.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[SteelStickler]

Hey,

I'd like to preface my comment with a blanket "I love spyderco products," have owned my fair share and carry one every day. Love them.

That being said, when I received the Southard I had heard so much about, I very impressed by the fit and finish and disappointed by the feel of it in my hand - it's just not a good enough "handful" for me. The knife just isn't all that large. The blade to handle ratio is great, the fit and finish is great, but its just.. well. too small. If spyderco released a Southard XL, i'd be on it, but as it stands it just doesn't do it for me. Whatever you do, try and find one to hold first. I've heard that the steel is awesome, but didn't really put it through its paces because I instantly knew i wasn't keeping the one I got. People say its great though.

I have only owned 1 CRK, a startac umnumzaan, and it's great as well. Fits my hand better, is incredibly smooth, and the tolerances are, I dare say, tighter than on Southard. The hollow blade grind is wonderful, slices like a devil. I've only had it for 3 weeks, and haven't gotten it on the stones yet, but its clear that the edge-holding is inferior to my m390 PM2 and other high-wear steels. That said, its no slouch. It's easy to maintain and takes a great edge.

Obviously, CRK is 1.5-2x the price. I would be happy with both at their respective price points if I had felt that the southard was fit for my hand.

I'd say you can't go wrong, as long as you hold whatever you're considering before you buy it.

Good luck, and enjoy being stuck between two great options!

 

[wvriverats]

Thanks for your input. I must say that I am surprised!! From the pics the Southard looks large. I am actually looking for something that fits in the pocket nicely, and won't see "serious" duty. What about the flipper feature? What do you think of that, and how does the lock compare?

Thanks again!
Randy

 

[scotteboy]

get the seb. soooo nice. its one of those knives I believe everyone should have at some point. had mine 4yrs and im still lovin it

 

[Invective]

If you want a flipper I'd say get the Southard, otherwise the Sebenza.

Here's a comparison pictures I found on BF

and one of mine

to help you see the size differences if you needed them. The Southard looks to be bigger than the Small Seb and maybe a hair smaller than the Large Seb. I had a Southard but sold it, didn't like the flipper and have never had a Seb.

 

[wvriverats]

I love my Spyderco folders! The one I probably treasured the most was a Dyad. I saw that they have a sprint run of those right now, but as much as I loved it, it did not carry well. It is a big knife. I saw a few of the dyad jr but never got to hold one. That might be my perfect "pocketknife." I think that I will make a trip down the road and hold one of the Southards. It might be exactly what I want.

 

[sir_mike]

I have been a dedicated Spyderco knife user/owner for years.

Right now I am looking to pick up a new folder for weekend duty. I have a tried and true Pacific Salt that I carry everyday at work and I love it. I snap it into my the front pocket of my bibs thru the Spydie hole and have not lost it yet. I love the H1 steel! Greatest work knife ever!!!!

I would like to get something to carry on the weekends that won't see the type of duty that my EDC knife does. I have been looking around a lot and like the lock style on the Sebenza. I however, am not to fond of the price. I see that the Southard has the same lock and was wondering if anyone owned both and could give me some pros and cons. I don't think I would like the thumb stud on the Sebenza, I have gotten too accustomed to the hole. I have never owned a "flipper" before and don't know if there is a downside to that.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Are you looking at the Large Seb? That would be my choice!

 

[wvriverats]

I was actually thinking small Sebenza with the micarta inlays.

 

[wvriverats]

When I first posted this I wanted to say that I was looking for a dress knife. But, that would be misleading, my dress on weekends is old jeans and flannel. I also, use my knife on the weekends just as much as during the week. I just want to change it up a little, let the Salt live in my Carhartt bibs during the week, and have a nicer knife to pocket on the weekend. I'm still curious about the flipper feature, since I have never owned a knife with it.

Thanks,
Randy

 

[AddictedToGear]

S Sebenza is Great and so is a Southard, it is hard to choose, but the Sebenza has that gentlemen feel and has better build quality overall. Look at ZT knives as they have a frame lock. Really what I think would be a great compromise and would suit you would be the LionSteel SR series or even better would be the Ti-Spine.

 

[zl1]

I like my Sebenza 25 quite a bit more than my Southard
and the Southard is a great Spydie

 

[sunandsteel]

I thought the Sebenza was a flipper, just with a thumbstud.

 

[Gnehus]

Lionsteel SR-1 Aluminum. They can be had for less than $200 new. Incredible build quality.

 

[kwazyjuice]

Get the Sebenza 25! My favorite CRK

 

[Scurvy092]

The only reason the Southard is cheaper than the Sebenza is because its made overseas.

Sal has stated that it would be a $400 knife if it was made here.

 

[HwangJino]

I own both, they're both very good knives.

Fit and finish is obviously less on the southard, and opening and cleaning one isn't as smooth, but not difficult.

If I was short on the cash, I'd pick a Southard in a heartbeat.

 

[ranchmanben]

If you are wanting a light use, semi-dress knife, I'd go with the sebenza. Although I don't own a southard, I have handled one and think it's a fantastic knife. You won't go wrong if that's what you go with. But there is just something classy in the simplistic design of the sebenza.

 

[OBL]

i have both also and i honestly carry the southard more. really the reason i carry it more is because it is more fun to play with since its a flipper. but, i also agree the sebenza is a great knife and everyone should own one. if you dont have a crk yet id say get the sebenza over the southard

 

[Sonnydaze]

I've had two Southards and perhaps twenty Sebenzas. I sold the Southards pretty quickly, even though they are good knives, and the blade-steel 204P is superb. I don't like flippers, although I'm a huge Spyderco fan.
I am also a big CRK-fan, and it's my EDC.
I would caution you on the grip size, however. The Southard is a much longer grip than the small Sebenza. I cannot use the small Sebbie as it won't stay in my hand when I want to close the blade. I have therefore always used a large Sebenza and love 'em.
Just plain old titanium slabs on my large Sebbie and I'm happy. They last forever...they really do.

 

[HwangJino]

The only reason the Southard is cheaper than the Sebenza is because its made overseas.

Sal has stated that it would be a $400 knife if it was made here.

Take apart the southard, it is nowhere near $400. The clip isn't even flush with handle.