Spyderco Southard

I couldn't be more impressed with the workmanship on the Southard. It's right up there with a lot of ~$500 customs in many ways, and from what I can tell, the consistency from sample to sample is excellent; e.g., every one I've handled and every photo I've seen of the lockbar shows the same tang engagement. It flips every bit as smoothly and crisply as my Todd Begg Gent's Glimpse IKBS custom.

On the down side, like many modern knives these days, this thing is seriously overbuilt if efficient cutting is your primary goal. IMO, this would be the perfect modern EDC utility knife if the blade stock thickness was cut more or less in half.

I was reducing some heavy (250 lb. test 'C'-flute) corrugated boxes to recycle-bin-sized pieces this afternoon, and decided to split the job between the Southard and a GEC lockback with a thin 1095 blade, and the latter blew the doors off the Southard. It glided through the corrugated like a laser, whereas the thick blade of the Spydie displayed a lot more resistance while dragging all that needless bulk through the material. In fairness to the Southard, the GEC's edge needed a quick touch-up afterwards, while the Southard was still out-of-the-box sharp when the task was done.

I also noticed a couple of sharp hot-spot points on the G10 scale at either end of the ball-milled groove surrounding lock release cutout, but that's an easy fix.


SpydieGEC.jpg
 
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archieblue said:
Proudly made in Taiwan.
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Archman. You are a cool guy. Do your research before posting that. You were deceived awhile ago by an American for an SnG? Correct? The Taichung plant wouldn't be able to make these knives without the US parts and steel. This creates jobs for them and most important us. Plus it saves the US buyers money. What does South Africa feel about CRK living and making knives here? Are they offended by Idaho made? Do we not enjoy Strider as well? Mick has a questionable background. Served time. Seems to be a good guy and redeemed himself. Very patriotic. Should we not buy from him then because if it? So I ask....separate from China and the illegal manufacturing going on there. What have they done to you? Peace brother. All you do need is love and a Sebenza. I'm going to go play with my Spyderco Southard and new CRK Sebenza 25! Enjoy folks.
 
Rick said:
I couldn't be more impressed with the workmanship on the Southard. It's right up there with a lot of ~$500 customs in many ways, and from what I can tell, the consistency from sample to sample is excellent; e.g., every one I've handled and every photo I've seen of the lockbar shows the same tang engagement. It flips every bit as smoothly and crisply as my Todd Begg Gent's Glimpse IKBS custom.

On the down side, like many modern knives these days, this thing is seriously overbuilt if efficient cutting is your primary goal. IMO, this would be the perfect modern EDC utility knife if the blade stock thickness was cut more or less in half.

I was reducing some heavy (250 lb. test 'C'-flute) corrugated boxes to recycle-bin-sized pieces this afternoon, and decided to split the job between the Southard and a GEC lockback with a thin 1095 blade, and the latter blew the doors off the Southard. It glided through the corrugated like a laser, whereas the thick blade of the Spydie displayed a lot more resistance while dragging all that needless bulk through the material. In fairness to the Southard, the GEC's edge needed a quick touch-up afterwords, while the Southard was still out-of-the-box sharp when the task was done.

I also noticed a couple of sharp hot-spot points on the G10 scale at either end of the ball-milled groove surrounding lock release cutout, but that's an easy fix.


SpydieGEC.jpg
Click to expand...

I agree on all accounts. The build quality on mine is absolutely mind blowing. I cannot find a single flaw in the fit and finish anywhere, and believe me, I've tried. Lock up is like a bank vault and the action is reminiscent of oiled glass. It's really an absurdly well made knife for the price. The blade stock is thick (4mm), which doesn't really bother me since the hollow grind is thin so it's pretty thin behind the edge. I can see it being a bit of a bother if you do a ton of heavy cardboard cutting however. I also noticed the sharp points around the ball milling. They aren't too bad, but I went ahead and knocked down the points and everything is now smooth. I also rounded the sharpish bits on the pocket clip which I think improves the look slightly as well as removed the lanyard tube since it is not structural (read: unnecessary...) which I personally think looks better. The pillars are nice and evenly spaced and the lanyard tube just looks out of place. All in all though, I absolutely couldn't be more pleased.
 
It's a cool looking knife with great attributes and steel, but I personally do not like the blade profile that much -- all belly with what looks like a very subtle recurve/birds beak at the tip (from the user pics I've seen lately)
 
I love it. Can't wait for a new scale. CC blue G-10 or something. And a different clip. Or to round this one out.
 
Cadillac J said:
It's a cool looking knife with great attributes and steel, but I personally do not like the blade profile that much -- all belly with what looks like a very subtle recurve/birds beak at the tip (from the user pics I've seen lately)
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There is no recurve what-so-ever. The entire blade is one consistent even curve. I wasn't completely sold on the blade shape either until I got one in my hand and started using it. It's a very useful and utilitarian blade shape. Nice belly for slicing, pointy enough tip for detail work, reverse tanto-ish tip adds strength without being too thick. And most of all, the angle of the blade in relation to the handle lends itself to an extremely comfortable cutting position. You really owe it to yourself to check one out in person before writing off the unconventional blade shape.
 
mkjellgren said:
There is no recurve what-so-ever. The entire blade is one consistent even curve. I wasn't completely sold on the blade shape either until I got one in my hand and started using it. It's a very useful and utilitarian blade shape. Nice belly for slicing, pointy enough tip for detail work, reverse tanto-ish tip adds strength without being too thick. And most of all, the angle of the blade in relation to the handle lends itself to an extremely comfortable cutting position. You really owe it to yourself to check one out in person before writing off the unconventional blade shape.
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Well said.

I particularly like that dropped point. It indexes very intuitively, so it provides good control when doing fine work with the tip. IOW, it 'points' as naturally as a finger.
 
It seems to be a natural extension of your hand and fingers when held in full grip. Even though its a bigger folder. It's sneaky long. Looks smaller in hand than it is. Agree?
 
jill jackson said:
Sure does. In fact it's as good as any flipper with bearings I have. Even a 500 dollar mid-tech.
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I had been wondering - great data point for those of us who haven't bought flippers before. I'm not surprised, but it's nice to have your opinion. :thumbup:
 
jill jackson said:
Is that really so different than all the fine knives that come out of Japan? I can't see why maybe you can enlighten me?
Because I'm certain I could have posted pictures of one of the new Japanese Spydercos and you would have not said a snide word about it.
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And from my experience the Taiwanese knives are a lot nicer than the Japanese knives
"
 
Great looking blade! It looks like a tank, pretty beefy. I might have to save up and see if I can acquire one later on.
 
HoosierQ said:
Taiwan is an ally of the United States. We've taken and given a lot of guff to the reds over Taiwan. They may want to call themselves China and China doesn't want them be called China but...Taiwan is Taiwan and China is China...two different places. And that only matters if you have China issues.
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Got your facts a little backwards.. China wants to own Taiwan, and the Taiwanese don't want to be invaded and taken over ala Tibet. Anyway, the Spyderco factory in Taichung does down right amazing work.
 
i feel bad for anyone that won't buy a spyderco made in taiwan.

they're indeed missing out.

great knives.
 
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