Spyderco Southfork Versus Other Fixed Blades Listed

linuxology

linuxology

Joined
Dec 31, 2010
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All I am looking for a Fixed Blade that is over 4.5" inches long to do some work that includes WaterFowl and Fish. I like FFG knives that are thin in nature. I will put this knife in the kitchen afterwards. My budget is ~$250. My knives that I have looked at so far are the following:

1. Spyderco Southfork
2. Joe Calton Hunter

I have noticed the southfork Thickness behind the edge - .020.

The calton thickness behind the edges are about .014-.018. Is this significant? Which one would you pick? Are there others I should look into? Thanks for your time.
 
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You might want to look at what is available in the Exchange, in the Knifemaker's Market. Some great knives and fair prices there.
 
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I would recommend taking a look at Hess Knifeworks. They make really nice knives for dirt cheap. I have a Tiburon which is convex ground but feels about the reticularof 0.015" behind the edge. It came perfect and extremely sharp.

 
Oh; sorry I read Fixed blades; Wrong Forum? Mod can move/delete if needed

It's ok here as long as the responses are about traditional knives. You might get some great responses. I'll keep an eye on the thread and if the responses are sparse, I'll move it over to the General Knife Discussion Forum. If you want it moved just let me know here or via Visitor Message or email. :thumbup:
 
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linuxology said:
Oh; sorry I read Fixed blades; Wrong Forum? Mod can move/delete if needed

It's ok here as long as the responses are about traditional knives. You might get some great responses. I'll keep an eye on the thread and if the responses are sparse, I'll move it over to the General Knife Discussion Forum. If you want it moved just let me know here or via Visitor Message or email. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Moving to General, as requested.
 
Check out the Old Hickory line. The 6 inch "buffalo skinner" or 5 inch "sheep skinner" would fit your uses. The 7 inch butcher knife would also be an option. Lots of folk reshape it to a 5 inch spear point Kephart style knife.
At under $20 give or take each, you can buy more fishing tackle.
 
Spyderco has another model coming out called the Sprig. It has the same steel as the Southfork and designed by the same guy (Phil Wilson) but in more of a bird 'n trout configuration. Some have mentioned that it has a slightly thinner grind than the Southfork though I haven't seen anything definitive.
 
I have some of Joe's work and it is top notch, I wouldn't hesitate to buy more of his work either. His heat treat on 1095 seems great to me, and has done well in the use I have put it through. A few obligatory pictures. This one is .007" behind the edge in areas, which is a pretty large jump in performance. But you can more than likely ask him to keep it in a certain range of thickness too. This is when it was brand new, it doesn't look nearly as pretty now haha.

 
I wouldn't worry too much about the steel. The grind and thinness of the blade matter just as much when it comes to cutting ability. I have a paring knife from Joe and is work is excellent. You may want to ask Big Chris if he has anything in your price range. He knows how to grind them thin as well.


Here's my Big Chris knife, 4" blade in S90v ground nice and thin.


 
Also PJ Tomes made a hunting line in your price range. I'm not sure if he retired but his work is also excellent with thinly ground blade.
 
Thanks for all of the replies!! Still undecided, but like to hear these recommendations!
 
fq55 said:
I wouldn't worry too much about the steel. The grind and thinness of the blade matter just as much when it comes to cutting ability. I have a paring knife from Joe and is work is excellent. You may want to ask Big Chris if he has anything in your price range. He knows how to grind them thin as well.


Here's my Big Chris knife, 4" blade in S90v ground nice and thin.


Click to expand...


Yeah, I would say contact either Big Chris or Darrin Sanders, both work with the higher wear resistant steels and can grind thin.
 
I think this thread can be closed. I have come to a decision and plan on posting when I get this knife. Thanks to all!
 
The edge width profile is a key indicator of edge performance, but if you want to compare edge-shoulder widths between two different knives, the knives have to use the same edge angle. Edge angle is a key factor in edge width. If you reprofile a 40 degree inclusive edge to a 30 degree inclusive edge, for example, the edge shoulder width will usually get wider but the performance will be better.
 
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