Spyderco Southard vs ZT0801 - Your Opinion

A

asmith001

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Oct 8, 2012
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I understand that I'm posting this in the Spyderco sub-forum, and most people will be somewhat bias, but this is where I spend most of my time. I love Spydercos more than any other knife, but I've come to a dilemma.

I've been wanting a Southard for a while. I love the design of the knife. I think it's a beautiful knife, and seemingly functional, as well. I said, when it came out, that I wouldn't spend that on a knife, but we all know that changes over time, lol. I went on vacation a few weeks ago and was able to stop by a brick and mortar knife shop. I handled many many knives (ZT, Spyderco, Emerson, CRK, and many others), but they did not have a Southard. I was, however, able to get my hands on a ZT0801 & ZT0801CF. While the CF is definitely out of my price range, they both blew me away with their action. I must have held/flipped the ZT0801 for 20 minutes. I couldn't put it down.

I know that the Southard and the ZT0801 are very different knives, but they both would fill a similar role for me, and they are the two that have my attention at the moment. I have also found both at a very good price from a small reputable dealer, but the Southard is still about $70 more.

If you were in my shoes, which one would you pick?

Thanks,
Aaron
 
I sold my Southard and bought an 0801. To me the ZT is smoother, more comfortable to hold, and flips 1000x better. I like the flipper itself way better too. IMO, the only place the ZT loses is the steel; Elmax vs CTS-204p.
 
I only have the Southard (and I like it), but since you've handled both you know it's lighter, less bulky and more expensive. Get the one you think you'll carry more. For me the 801 seems too heavy, but I haven't even held it.
 
I have both. They are quite different imo. The 0801 is heavier and I prefer the blade shape of the Southard. Still love the zt, but if I had to choose 1 it would be the Southard

Southard has more of a mid tech feel to me. Both are VERY fine knives, I don't think you will be disappointed either way.
 
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I have multiple copies of both. The 801 is preferable to me buy a pretty wide margin. If I had to give one up it would be the Southard in a millisecond. The 801 does in fact flip better, and an annoying thing about the Southard, to me, is that it has a very muffled or muted sound to it as it locks open. The 801 has that reassuring audible click. I also dislike the single g-10 scale on the Southard, but I dislike asymmetrical scales anyway. Trust me the Elmax steel doesn't give anything up to the CTS 204 IME.

Enjoy your new knife!
 
I have the southard, an 801 and an 801cf and I choose the 801s over just about every other production knife out right now. I love it
 
I have had both, and being so, I prefer the Southard. The 0801 was the first truly high end production folder I had (I no longer have it), and it is an undeniably great knife. I may be tempted to pick one up at a later time. The action is flawless, as you know, and is extremely smooth. The Southard is equally as smooth, but in a slightly different way, as if the bearing system is just a bit different, or the blade weight alters the action. The 0801 won't stay in place midway, it wants to fall one way or the other. The Southard has a slight, smooth resistance the whole way, in that it makes me think of a bearing version of the Sebenza action, for point of reference. Overall, I prefer the Southard. You get pretty much the same blade length with which to work, and roughly the same blade thickness, for any hard use application, but in a much slimmer package when folded. Not to mention, as much as I like ELMAX, CTS-204P is simply better overall. More so, you also have more customization options with the scale/LBS.
 
The 801 is more fun, but the Southard has a great blade shape for cutting stuff. I much prefer the 801, but nothing about the Southard ever really called to me.
 
Flipping action- 801
Steel- Southard
Other materials (handles)- Tie, double titanium or titanium and G10 is personal preference
Aesthetics- this is all about personal preference
Ergos- Southard, but not by much
Price- 801
Warranty/CS- 801
 
tchapman414 said:
in that it makes me think of a bearing version of the Sebenza action, for point of reference. Overall, I prefer the Southard. You get pretty much the same blade length with which to work, and roughly the same blade thickness, for any hard use application, but in a much slimmer package when folded. Not to mention, as much as I like ELMAX, CTS-204P is simply better overall. More so, you also have more customization options with the scale/LBS.
Click to expand...

No offense tchapman, but do you have a Sebenza? No comparison. And also I have to call BS on the 'slimmer package' comment. I have both knives in hand right now, and you would need a caliper to tell them apart as far as thickness, but it seems the 801 is slightly thinner, this may be because the edges are slightly chamfered. As far as the steel, I wonder if those commenting on the superiority of Spyderco's CTS 204 being better have actually used both and compared them. I have and truthfully the Elmax wins out in edge retention, toughness and ease of sharpning. AS for customization, yes you can replace a scale on the Southard, but customizations on the 801 run rampant, from all types of anodizing to custom standoffs there are lots of options if pimping is your thing.
 
I own both and I love both. However, I prefer my Southard more because of sheer performance. CTS-204P and hollow grind makes it a ferocious slicer. Elmax on the 0801 is no slouch, but it's thicker behind the edges so it's not as great for slicing. I don't question the strength of either knife since I've abused my Southard quite a bit and it's still holding up. Although I'll have to admit that 0801's action is much better. KVT is just superior for some odd reason.
 
I don t have the 801, but have the 560 and 561 as well as the Southard. I think the 560 s and the Southard both flip well although somewhat different. The detente on the Southard is much better,allowing for easier manual operation which is important to me. The 801 doesnt seem to have a one handed manual opening option. With the lighter weight and the better steel, I would at least handle the Southard before getting the 801 first.
 
So many great points to consider about both knives. This might be making it harder, lol. Keep your thoughts coming... and thanks to all of you.

whp said:
... I would at least handle the Southard before getting the 801 first.
Click to expand...

I think this is where my mind is right now.
 
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