Spyderco South Fork or Chris Reeve Nyala?

Hale Storm

Hale Storm

Kydex Whisperer
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Sep 18, 2013
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On the hunt for a fixed blade to use as a hunting knife here in Texas. I was going to use my Busse SOB but may trade up to something larger to use as a chopper. The South Fork is a little larger than the Nyala, and S90V vs S35VN. Either will fit my needs of field dressing and cleaning whitetails and hogs. What I would like to know is anyone's reviews or comments from actual use in the field. Pics are always better too.
I'm leaning towards S90V so I can work on multiple animals before resharpening but my Chris Reeve folders in S35VN have been awesome cutters.
One drawback to the Spyderco is it's made in Taiwan. I'm not trying to restart that whole USA/Taiwan thread here but I just prefer things made in the U.S.

Both are about the same price.

Was also thinking of having someone build me a custom. Maybe Brian Evans or Big Chris. Wonder how much more it would cost to just get one custom made to my design specs?

Thanks
 
My Dad bought a South Fork for deer hunting and it was newish, but not very sharp. I figured it would be a hard steel to sharpen, but a few strokes on ceramic rods had it hair popping sharp in short order. We haven't used it yet but I really like it.
 
jill jackson said:
My Dad bought a South Fork for deer hunting and it was newish, but not very sharp. I figured it would be a hard steel to sharpen, but a few strokes on ceramic rods had it hair popping sharp in short order. We haven't used it yet but I really like it.
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jill, thanks. Please let me know how you and your dad like it after use. I have a Spyderco sharpmaker so sharpening will not be an issue.

What do you like about it so far? Ergonomics? Looks? What type of ceramic rod did he use?
 
jill jackson said:
My Dad bought a South Fork for deer hunting and it was newish, but not very sharp. I figured it would be a hard steel to sharpen, but a few strokes on ceramic rods had it hair popping sharp in short order. We haven't used it yet but I really like it.
Click to expand...

S90V is easy to touch up on ceramic rods. :)

I use mine in the kitchen.
 
I think the Spyderco would be more effective because it is ffg and S90V I believe is a better steel
 
From a hunting point of view the nyala blade shape is what always turns me off. I love CRK but the southfork will be far more comfortable to use on big game the blade shape will lend itself better to skinning and gutting as well as breaking down the joints and meat in camp. Its not the steel its the design. Both steels are good. I use a winkler II belt knife for hunting it is awesome at all aspects of game processing its carbon steel so you have to clean it and maintain it a little but its a perfect knife for hunting.
 
Hale Storm said:
jill, thanks. Please let me know how you and your dad like it after use. I have a Spyderco sharpmaker so sharpening will not be an issue.

What do you like about it so far? Ergonomics? Looks? What type of ceramic rod did he use?
Click to expand...

Yep, feels great in hand. Looks good too. If he doesn't start using it soon I'm appropriating it for my own use. :p Just used fine rods
 
I remember reading a thread about it, I think in the Spyderco forum, where Phil Wilson talks about designing it for a skinning knife with plenty of reach for gutting bigger game.
 
Cannot beat s90v with a stick.
I had a south fork...sharpest factory edge I've ever seen...it was scary.
Sold it to an Aussie...suspect he loves it.
 
I've actually used the Nyala as a hunting knife, and the blade shape and size is perfect for whitetails. I actually prefer a hollow grind for a hunting knife, because I like them to be thin behind the edge.

Designed for it or not, I had no issues splitting the pelvis (on a 'seam') with it, and it held it's sharpness just fine.

The only thing that I wasn't crazy about was the handle texture. The little grooves all over the handle give it great purchase while slippery, but they also trap and hold fat and goo. Not the easiest knife to clean until you get to hot water.

I have a lot of knives in that size range and general shape, and I think my favorite is still a Swamp Rat Hairy Carry.
 
I own a southfork and a CRK insingo Nyala. I think either would serve you well. The southfork slices a bit better imho. Either choice would be good
 
I've used both the Nyala and the South Fork on whitetails. Eventually I sold the Nyala because the blade is just a bit short and broad for "coring out" the carcass. I prefer not to split the pelvis in the field so this eventually became a deal breaker for me, however it was the most comfortable belt knife I've ever worn. Works great for skinning, too. Now I use the South Fork for deer hunting. The trailing point takes a little getting used to--easy to poke the wrong thing in a deer carcass--but I found it to be an awesome performer on the one deer I've done with it so far. The handle shape is really excellent--I find myself working with the knife in unique grips that I would have never even thought of with other knives. Here's anther plus for the SF: The plastic sheath is easy to clean out so if you put the knife away covered in gunk there's nothing to regret later. Hunting aside, I found the the Nyala to be somewhat limited as a camp/kitchen/utility knife. The thick spine makes it hard to slice with. Short blade is also inconvenient. The South Fork is so good for the all around stuff, that it has become hands down the most used knife I own. I miss the Nyala for it's beauty and for that CRK touch of perfect fit and finish, etc, but I find the South Fork to be a much more useful design. Also, I much prefer S90V over S35VN It just seems to keep on cutting and cutting even after it loses that initial hair splitting razor edge.
 
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