Taiwan built Spydies

I now have 2 southards (because they are very well built).

However I don't believe they are anywhere near CRK fit and finish like some would have you believe.
 
HwangJino said:
I now have 2 southards (because they are very well built).

However I don't believe they are anywhere near CRK fit and finish like some would have you believe.
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I trust your opinions on most stuff, so I'll ask this. I understand that the Southard may not be as refined as a CRK, but to me the real question would be, is the CRK double the value? Because it's double the price. I guess what I am saying is; Is it twice as good?
 
HwangJino said:
I now have 2 southards (because they are very well built).

However I don't believe they are anywhere near CRK fit and finish like some would have you believe.
Click to expand...

L2bravo said:
I trust your opinions on most stuff, so I'll ask this. I understand that the Southard may not be as refined as a CRK, but to me the real question would be, is the CRK double the value? Because it's double the price. I guess what I am saying is; Is it twice as good?
Click to expand...

I will agree the Southard isn't the same level of F&F as a CRK however its got 2x the parts and is still an amazingly smooth knife, a better comparison would be the Sage 2 vs Sebenza, those two are much closer IMO. The CRK is still ahead, but hand the two knives to a mechanical type person/engineer who knows nothing about knives and I bet you if you ask how close they are in price they would think they were near the same cost.
 
When you take apart sebenza, all the pieces are perfectly sized, I don't have to 'pull apart' anything, it just pops out.

The southard, requires some pulling (thought I was going to bend parts/standoffs also took some pulling), the lanyard tube seems very thin also. Thing that holds the bearings, seems like plastic. The pocket clip is disappointing. Not made of similar material of knife, and super sharp (put holes in my dickies work pants, slacks and jeans).

And no I don't think sebenza is worth 2 southards, sebenza is very nice but I have stated that sebenza is over priced a few times.
 
I was just asking, because you have experience on both. CRK sells all of the knives he can make, so I guess he is priced right.

I realize my thread is about Taiwan knives, but what about the knives like the Domino? How do they measure against the Southard?
 
HwangJino said:
I now have 2 southards (because they are very well built).

However I don't believe they are anywhere near CRK fit and finish like some would have you believe.
Click to expand...

I can't speak about the comparison between a CRK and a Southard, as I've never held a Southard. I can, however, compare the Small Regular, the Small 21 Tanto, the 25 and the Large Insingo I've owned and sold since buying my Techno. I compared all of them to the Techno and there was nothing that gave any of the CRKs I've mentioned a clear advantage over it. I can say the jimping (or traction grooves as described by Mr. Reeve) were not as uniform as you get on the Techno. I can state the the grind on the false edge of the Insingo appeared slightly off. I can state the Small Regular had the slightest (really slight) hint of side to side play and I've experienced that in several Sebenzas I've owned over the years. Those are things I can think of right off the top of my head without even getting into the fact the my Techno has a more stable lock spring than any of the knives mentioned and easily outlasts the CRKs for edge retention. Couple that with the fact it comes in at about 1/2 the price of the least pricey of the CRKs and you start seeing how appealing it is, providing it fits your tastes.

I'm not knocking the CRKs, as I consider them the yardstick I measure other knives by. A CRK was my default folder for over 6 years and I love them, but IMO, the Techno is on the same page. Even more so, if you take other factors in addition to F&F into account.
 
The Spyderco knives from the Taichung factory are arguably the finest Spyderco produces and among the best of any production knives.

Here's a list of most of the Taichung-made knives:

  • Air by Gayle Bradley
  • Bushcraft
  • Cat
  • Chaparral CF
  • Chaparral Stepped Titanium
  • Chaparral Titanium
  • Chicago
  • Chokwe (DISCONTINUED)
  • Des Horn
  • Dice (UPCOMING)
  • Domino
  • Gayle Bradley
  • Hungarian
  • Navaja
  • Nilakka
  • Perrin PPT (DISCONTINUED)
  • Puukko G-10
  • Puukko Ironwood (DISCONTINUED)
  • Sage 1 LinerLock
  • Sage 2 Reeve Integral Lock
  • Sage 3 Bolt Action Lock - Blue G10 (DISCONTINUED)
  • Sage 3 Bolt Action Lock - CF/G10 Laminate
  • Sage 4 Mid Back Lock
  • Serrata (UPCOMING)
  • Southard
  • Southard Black blade/G10 (UPCOMING)
  • South Fork
  • Szabo (DISCONTINUED)
  • Szabo Black
  • Techno
  • Tuff
  • Tusk (UPCOMING)
  • Vallotton
  • Zulu (DISCONTINUED)
 
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The Taichung Taiwan Spyderco knives are actually the best quality Spyderco knives you can buy. Better than Golden, Colorado knives. I have the Southard and Techno, they are pretty much flawless. The level of finishing on them is definitely a step up.
 
Favorite two spyderco blades, the Chokwe and the Southard, both come from Taichung. And, any model that I have handled from Taiwan have always had some of the best fit and finish of any of the many Spyderco's that have passed through my hands. Highly recommended!
 
Sal Glesser said:
Our Taichung maker works hard and is very skilled.

sal
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It shows with their quality.

My Taichung knives.
20140207_011243.jpg
 
Sal Glesser said:
Our Taichung maker works hard and is very skilled.

sal
Click to expand...

And this is the biggest reason that I got rid of my last specimen of brand B today. In the last couple of weeks, I have scored an even dozen Spydies on the trade, all NIB. I have traded for Bradleys, PM2's, Sage 3, Delica Blues, Stretches (VG-10 and ZDP), and a Millie.

What reason is that you ask? Because not only will somebody monitor their own site, but that "somebody" is a guy, who is not only a knife whore with us, but somebody who cares enough to show up and answer questions. As if he doesn't have a busy enough schedule. Thanks Sal. We appreciate you, appreciating our money and loyalty.
 
I cant seem to get the Techno out of my pocket...its my daily EDC now. I was just thinking today how well it compares to my Sebenza's.
Love the fit and finish, as well as the "hydraulic" feel my Techno has.
 
I recently got a Gayle Bradley and boy was I impressed. The thing is gorgeous, the polish on the liners just catches my eye every time I look down towards my pocket. The carbon fiber feels great too, but the best part is using the thing. The click when it locks up is so unique and satisfying, probably due to that almost-too-thick lock bar.

Can't wait to see what a Southard sounds like in person.
 
After much heartache I've learned never to trust estimated arrival dates from USPS. Thought I'd have my GB yesterday, but looks like it's gonna be today now.

Also, I may have to jump on a Southard after all the great things I've heard about them.
 
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