Spyderco Southard: Excessive Praise and Hype? (Or: Purchase One Now!)

I've owned 50-70 folders over the last year, ranging from $100 Spydercos, many PM2's, BM's, many ZT's, four sizes of Striders, 12 or more CRK's, to $725 Hinderer XM-18's...slicer and Spanto grinds. Have sold or traded constantly so that I have very few in house. Here's what I plan to hold on to:
CRK large Sebenza and Zaan, Strider SJ75 and PT, two or three PM2's, Spyderco Southard.
I'm carrying the Southard since I got it a month ago. Tried my favorite Sebbie for several hrs, put it back in my EDC bag.
The Southard, IMO, is THAT GOOD! It's just RIGHT in so many ways.
Sonnydaze
 
Brasso3 said:
I'm still trying to figure out why they would make a flipper and then use a framelock? I understand that there are some folks who have developed the bad habit of having to flip open their knives all day long in order to survive, but that seems contradictory to the use of a framelock that gets worn out more so than other lock types by just that type of action.
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Quick to open, quick to close.... that's the whole point of a flipper. Until the benchmade 300sn came out I don't think I have ever seen a flipper use any other type of lock other than a frame lock. You're making it sound like it's something unusual.
 
Another point here; This knife is too new for some of the above opinions. We need to revisit this thread in a year or so, and see how many of the above folks who say it is a keeper, and I'm not selling still have it. Mst of us have few knives we actually keep above all the others for long periods, and we are just too early on in the Southard's life to say some of the things we are.
 
Brasso3 said:
I'm still trying to figure out why they would make a flipper and then use a framelock? I understand that there are some folks who have developed the bad habit of having to flip open their knives all day long in order to survive, but that seems contradictory to the use of a framelock that gets worn out more so than other lock types by just that type of action.
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Please go troll somewhere else. Every time I have seen a comment from you, it is meant to inflame. The very original prototype still has a perfect lockup last I heard from Brad himself on a question about whether it was carburized, carbinated or whatever (I know that makes no sense I am making a point) and it has been flipped many many thousands of times. Yes, it can be bad if not done correctly, but it can be done correctly, and many manufactures have figured out a way to get it right.
 
nccole said:
Please go troll somewhere else. Every time I have seen a comment from you, it is meant to inflame. The very original prototype still has a perfect lockup last I heard from Brad himself on a question about whether it was carburized, carbinated or whatever (I know that makes no sense I am making a point) and it has been flipped many many thousands of times. Yes, it can be bad if not done correctly, but it can be done correctly, and many manufactures have figured out a way to get it right.
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I was going to mention that report, too. I am seeing no wear on mine yet, though it's still pretty new (as they all are, as Bobnery points out).
 
I would say that Spyderco, more than any other company makes knives that are lefty carry friendly.

I'm not sure why on the Southard they chose not to.
 
Let me also add to this thread since some may think I am against the Southard. Nothing could be further from the truth. I have thought about grabbing one, but probably not til I get one cheaper on the exchange. While I am not often a huge poster, I've been around the forums long enough to see the cyclical nature of threads, and being a student of people, I've become familiar with our own patterns. The Southard right now is the new kid on the block, the new hot exchange student at school, but soon enough it will fade, and Spyderco and other companies will have a new offering for us to drool over, and we will start the whole cycle again. Hopefully one of us will remember to bump this thread in a year or maybe two, or maybe link it to the next thread that deals with the next new toy we are debating. It would be interesting
 
aquaman67 said:
I would say that Spyderco, more than any other company makes knives that are lefty carry friendly.

I'm not sure why on the Southard they chose not to.
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You know I think I'm a freak when it comes to stuff like this. I can operate all my "right" handed knives better with my left, and I am a right handed guy. Seb, Um, SnG, Millie, PM2 are all easier for me in left hand
 
As Bobnery said, "The Southard right now is the new kid on the block" and he is correct. He also says "but soon enough it will fade" and there he is grossly incorrect. The last new kid from Spyderco, IIRC, was the PM2, and it is just as hot now as it ever was. It's nearly impossible to find new PM2's at the various knife-shops, and the better blade-steels now fetch in excess of $400 for a NIB folder on the Exchange.
I don't call that "fading."
 
The PM2 had a lot of momentum based on the Millie and PM1. It also is very handsomely priced for what you get. Sprint runs also keep hype alive, so I don't think your comparison is exactly equal. Only time will tell which one of us is right though:)
 
bobnery said:
The PM2 had a lot of momentum based on the Millie and PM1. It also is very handsomely priced for what you get. Sprint runs also keep hype alive, so I don't think your comparison is exactly equal. Only time will tell which one of us is right though:)
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It does far too many things right to simply fade away imo. Being it's spydercos first flipper gives it a boost I will admit.
 
IDK I see the flipper craze that the 56x turned from a spark to an inferno fading in the future. I also think Spyderco does a ton of collaborations and new offerings that fade pretty quickly as well. I think knife companies in general are more apt to cater to a larger demographic than we think, and the Southard pricepoint is way outside of the typical Joe knife buyer who thinks the Military is an investment. Flippers/bearings/ and exotic steels sell right now, who knows what marketers will convince us that we need next:) In reality why does someone who isn't a gloved rescue worker actually need a flipper? Then why would you actually need a bearing system over washers? Especially in dirty environments. These two features are novelties to the average guy who spends more time "playing" with their knife than using it to cut things. I like opening an closing knives as much as the next guy on here, but I am also sober enough to know that doing so is outside of what a knife is for.
 
The southard is now my second favorite folder and my absolute favorite edc. After some use the only real complaint I have is the edge. It's odd but the edge is extremely sharp but it has difficulty cutting notebook paper while it blazes through other types of paper like receipt paper and computer paper. Slices through cardboard and food effortlessly as well. Really strange because my zaan and sebenza are duller but cut the same notebook paper easily. I've noticed that the edge bevel on the southard is much shallower in comparison to typical spyderco bevels that are laid way back. Honestly looks like benchmade edge which I hate. Perfect knife other than that.
 
Please go troll somewhere else. Every time I have seen a comment from you, it is meant to inflame.
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Well pardon me your highness for having a different opinion on what type of lock would be better.

A ball or copression lock would be ambidextrous. But let's all bow to the Spydie fan boy and kiss his flipper.
 
Brasso3 said:
Well pardon me your highness for having a different opinion on what type of lock would be better.

A ball or copression lock would be ambidextrous. But let's all bow to the Spydie fan boy and kiss his flipper.
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Brass03-- I am wondering... can you please list for me the ball or compression lock flipper folders that are curently produced??

I am not trying to be a smart A**. I am interested in how many other manufactuers/ custom makers make flippers that are not framelocks? I am guessing you are not smarter than the majority of knife makers, so there MUST be a technical design reason that a high majority of flippers are framelocks. I will look forward to your response..
 
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