Spyderco southard question

[tuckerone1]

Hey guys. I hope everyone is doing well. What should I expect from a new Southard folder? I am the proud owner of three popular Spyderco models and have been well pleased with all of them. I've extensively researched this model via the web and been saving my hard earned pennies to pull the trigger on this puppy. As always, any feedback is greatly appreciated.

 

[K.O.D.]

I disliked mine. Did not like the flipper shape. I only owned it three days before selling it, so I didn't really give it a chance. Many people love it, and I've thought about buying another. Doesn't flip as well as a ZT0801, but its not bad.

 

[liamstrain]

Despite having many other very nice knives (from BM/ZT/Reeve, etc.) the Southard remains my most used modern carry blade. Very smooth, a lot of blade for the size, and a great shape in the hand. I ended up getting aftermarket replacement scales (carbon fiber) and deep carry clip. Honestly, it is as close to perfect for me and my needs, as a modern flipper has gotten. Suits me to a T.

 

[evilgreg]

Despite having many other very nice knives (from BM/ZT/Reeve, etc.) the Southard remains my most used modern carry blade. Very smooth, a lot of blade for the size, and a great shape in the hand. I ended up getting aftermarket replacement scales (carbon fiber) and deep carry clip. Honestly, it is as close to perfect for me and my needs, as a modern flipper has gotten.

I would say more, but liamstrain already took the words out of my mouth. I love the way the knife feels in my hand, and it dresses up nicely if you want to customize it, like this:

. . . or maybe this:

 

[gooeytek]

I wanted to like it. It flipped nice, but I didn't like the big difference in thickness between the framelock and presentation side. That said, it felt short/small because of how thick it is, for having a narrow profile. If the handle was more contoured perhaps, the ergos would fit my hand better. That's just me though.

 

[Spyderco-man]

It's a bit small for my hand, but besides that I really love mine. I do want to get a new scale for mine. The scale is super rough so I may try sanding mine. The flipper works great, but the Spyder Hole is hard to use. I actually sliced my finger while messing around with the hole, but it was my fault. I tend to cut myself with all my favorites.
So expect a very well made knife. The quality is top notch. Perfectly weighted and super smooth opening. It's what I've been carrying every day, besides my ner zt770cf. I really like that one for EDC. You'll either love it or hate it. I would try handling one at a knife shop before spending that much cash. I think it's more than worth every penny I spent on mine.

 

[zkiller195]

I love mine. One of my favorite EDC blades. That said, no knife is perfect. Here's a breakdown of pros and cons (in my opinion)

Pros:
CTS-204P steel is probably my favorite steel. Great all around steel that holds an edge a very long time with good corrosion resistance
The look. This is a great looking design. I love almost everything about this knife, from the shape of the scales and blade to the contrasting Titanium and G-10 scales to the G-10 liner overtravel stop
Blade shape. Not only does it look great, but the shallow belly and tall grind combined with the blade thickness make it a great overall cutter that should be relatively easy to sharpen (at least as 204P goes)
Weight and size. I could do for a smaller version (I typically like knives around a 3 inch blade), but a little extra size in a flipper feels pretty good. The weight seems to be perfect for the blade size too. Not the lightest, but not too heavy either, just enough to feel solid
Overall ergonomics. The ergos are much better than they look. You give up something for the sleek look of the straighter handles, but the ergonomics of this knife are still very good
Flipping action. The action of this knife is one of the smoothest, most perfectly opening flippers I've ever used (I prefer flippers that open with authority when you want them, but still give you enough control for a more subdued opening when you want it). It's not the fastest, but always opens completely and very smooth
G-10 side provides plenty of traction. It always feels secure in the hand

Cons:
Although overall ergos are very good, I wish it had more of a thumb ramp. It's the only place that the ergonomics seem to be missing anything (although a thumb ramp would totally change the look of the knife, sacrifices must be made in one area or another)
Pocket clip doesn't match the Titanium scale. That's just the way it was designed. Not a big deal, I just wish it matched
Lacks real jimping for the thumb. A little jimping on the flipper would be nice too
The G-10 around the spyderhole is ground out in a deep hollow shape (I'm not sure how to describe it). You can't feel it when you hold it, but it doesn't look as nice. I would have preferred it to be ground flat

That is everything I dislike about the knife, along with some of the things I like most about it. Overall the Southard is a great EDC knife. It does everything I ask it to do and looks and performs great while doing so. I don't see myself ever getting rid of mine

 

[zkiller195]

The flipper works great, but the Spyder Hole is hard to use.

This is something I never could wrap my head around. I love spyderhole deployment and it is my overall favorite deployment method, but this knife is a flipper. You have the spyderhole if you really wanted to use it, but it's relatively small and hard to access. That's ok with me. Flippers were made to be flipped. I feel like the spyderhole there for brand identity more than anything.

 

[Mayenard]

I would say more, but liamstrain already took the words out of my mouth. I love the way the knife feels in my hand, and it dresses up nicely if you want to customize it, like this:

. . . or maybe this:

or something like this...



I just got this scale and coupled with a lowrider clip from STR, it has done away with the cons liamstrain listed which were also cons for me. It is easily my go to folder and work horse.

The cons definitely did not prevent me from buying the Southard but customizing it has certainly made it something special to me. Best part is there are a few BF members here that do custom work with plenty of options ranging in any material of your preference.

 

[tuckerone1]

Thanks for all of the responses. I really like the idea of being able to have the southard customized after the initial purchase!!! I will be pulling the trigger soon.

 

[Berserker101]

Just purchased mine and seems to be missing something not sure what, but I was hoping for more and like many other commented the pros and cons for each person is going to ve different. the only thing I would say is to test it out and the store first if possible.

 

[bennieboi6320]

After about a year of waiting I finally got my hands on a second sprint run of the Southard and am pretty stoked so far. It's my first flipper so it's seems to flip pretty smooth. Love the design and aesthetics of the blade. Very slick design for EDC. My only complaints are the obtrusive pocket clip which will be remedied shortly with aftermarket ones. And a almost impossible to open trademark spydie hole. I guess during the collaboration spyderco needed to put its signature. Both gripes are minor ones and do far from overshadow this great knife which I've carried for a few months now. Since the break in period I've went ahead and dressed her with a vintage canvas micarta scale. The worn down and faded scale gives her plenty of soul and the grippyness of the micarta especially when wet is impressive. I recently acquired some exotic hardwoods and eager to match them to the knife.

 

[bennieboi6320]

After about a year of waiting I finally got my hands on a second sprint run of the Southard and am pretty stoked so far. It's my first flipper so it's seems to flip pretty smooth. Love the design and aesthetics of the blade. Very slick design for EDC. My only complaints are the obtrusive pocket clip which will be remedied shortly with aftermarket ones. And a almost impossible to open trademark spydie hole. I guess during the collaboration spyderco needed to put its signature. Both gripes are minor ones and do far from overshadow this great knife which I've carried for a few months now. Since the break in period I've went ahead and dressed her with a vintage canvas micarta scale. The worn down and faded scale gives her plenty of soul and the grippyness of the micarta especially when wet is impressive. I recently acquired some exotic hardwoods and eager to match them to the knife.