There are many like it but this Southard is mine!

RetiredGuns

RetiredGuns

Joined
Mar 13, 2009
Messages
2,402
I know there are plenty of threads on the Southard but I wanted to say a few words. I've had dozens of Spydercos over the years but started to trade and sell those that were not made in Golden. I've even had remorse and picked up the same knives again and again like the G10 Delica, G10 Dragonfly, Sage 1 and Chaparral. I'll admit it is a pride thing but I will also admit that the knives coming from the Taichung factory have been outstanding. I did pick up a new Delica because it's just a damn good EDC and the folks in Seki are certainly not slackers!
The Southard has already been reviewed to death but I appreciate the though that went into this design. The F&F, smoothness, action, lockup & overall feel is very high end. While the Spydie hole is not really useful due to the strong detent, the flipper works great. The cutout area makes disengaging the lock-bar very comfy which isn't always the case on RIL knives. The blade shape is nice and has belly from end to end. Mine came very sharp. I am certain that 204P is a great steel and I will try and stay on top of it as to avoid the frustration of bringing a dull edge back to life. Some folks have commented on the dis-proportional scales but this is a hard use knife with a hefty blade and deserves the beef.
I love the size. I have medium size hands and a full grip is a breeze. It's a keeper. Thanks for a great knife Sal & Co.

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You know the more I see this knife, it grows on me just a tiny bit more. I still think it's butt ugly, but I do think it would be a great performer as many have said so far. I may pick one up in time. I also prefer a US made knife for pride and such, but Spyderco has quality control down pat even in their foreign factories. I won't hesitate to buy an imported Spydie.

I'll have to be honest though, I was more interested in your watch and zippo :)
 
Swoop03 said:
You know the more I see this knife, it grows on me just a tiny bit more. I still think it's butt ugly, but I do think it would be a great performer as many have said so far. I may pick one up in time. I also prefer a US made knife for pride and such, but Spyderco has quality control down pat even in their foreign factories. I won't hesitate to buy an imported Spydie.

I'll have to be honest though, I was more interested in your watch and zippo :)
Click to expand...

If you are a straight line guy then modern Spydies are sure to look "weird". This is exactly how they caught my eye. I had no desire for their knives until I bought one. 26+ knives later, few compare.

The Zippo was bought in an Army exchange in 1981 while I was at weapons repair school. Even though I was a Marine, I had to have it! The watch I bought right here on BF. Swiss made, automatic goodness. :thumbup:
 
Yea I prefer the more traditional spydies. Like the tenacious, sage, delica, etc.. I like the leaf blade shape mostly. The modern ones have been hit or miss with me. Maybe I'm just too picky :D

I have an attraction to watches like I do knives. Though, my taste in watches is far more expensive than that of my knives. I don't have any of the watches I like. I'd like to get a self winding mechanical watch sometime. The zippo caught my attention because my uncle was there and my dad was in the army and may have been there also.
 
Full Metal Knifeblade lol. Do Marines really use that little speech on their guns or is it just from the movie? That's my flick!
 
RetiredGuns said:
I know there are plenty of threads on the Southard but I wanted to say a few words. I've had dozens of Spydercos over the years but started to trade and sell those that were not made in Golden. I've even had remorse and picked up the same knives again and again like the G10 Delica, G10 Dragonfly, Sage 1 and Chaparral. I'll admit it is a pride thing but I will also admit that the knives coming from the Taichung factory have been outstanding. I did pick up a new Delica because it's just a damn good EDC and the folks in Seki are certainly not slackers!
The Southard has already been reviewed to death but I appreciate the though that went into this design. The F&F, smoothness, action, lockup & overall feel is very high end. While the Spydie hole is not really useful due to the strong detent, the flipper works great. The cutout area makes disengaging the lock-bar very comfy which isn't always the case on RIL knives. The blade shape is nice and has belly from end to end. Mine came very sharp. I am certain that 204P is a great steel and I will try and stay on top of it as to avoid the frustration of bringing a dull edge back to life. Some folks have commented on the dis-proportional scales but this is a hard use knife with a hefty blade and deserves the beef.
I love the size. I have medium size hands and a full grip is a breeze. It's a keeper. Thanks for a great knife Sal & Co.

south1.jpg


south2.jpg


south3.jpg


south4.jpg


south6.jpg


south7.jpg


south8.jpg


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.....great knife....and glad to see that watch is getting some good use. ;)

- All the best !
 
He's referencing the movie "Full Metal Jacket" & poking a little fun towards you.I don't think it was meant to be insulting necessarily.

Great knife & great pics!I like my Southard too!:thumbup:
 
I think the shape is kind of odd but something about it makes me want one...
And I never knew Spyderco made knives with flippers...awesome!
 
JTR357 said:
He's referencing the movie "Full Metal Jacket" & poking a little fun towards you.I don't think it was meant to be insulting necessarily.

Great knife & great pics!I like my Southard too!:thumbup:
Click to expand...

Yeah, got the movie reference - funny. ..and yes, we have a creed! :D

Rifleman's Creed

This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine.

My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life.

My rifle, without me, is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless. I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than my enemy who is trying to kill me. I must shoot him before he shoots me. I will...

My rifle and myself know that what counts in this war is not the rounds we fire, the noise of our burst, or the smoke we make. We know that it is the hits that count. We will hit...

My rifle is human, even as I, because it is my life. Thus, I will learn it as a brother. I will learn its weaknesses, its strength, its parts, its accessories, its sights and its barrel. I will keep my rifle clean and ready, even as I am clean and ready. We will become part of each other. We will...

Before God, I swear this creed. My rifle and myself are the defenders of my country. We are the masters of our enemy. We are the saviors of my life.

So be it, until victory is America's and there is no enemy, but peace!


 
This will be my first post on this forum.

I went to AIT at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in 93/94 for 52D (generator mechanic), and will never forget the indoor/outdoor ordnance museum. EVERYTHING you can ever think of was on display, from a 16 inch gun (Big Bertha), to a V2 rocket. I loved that place.

About this knife: I want one. But I'd REALLY like to have it in carbon fiber, rather than brown G10. Does anyone know where I can find CF scales for it?
 
LonnyRS said:
This will be my first post on this forum.

I went to AIT at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in 93/94 for 52D (generator mechanic), and will never forget the indoor/outdoor ordnance museum. EVERYTHING you can ever think of was on display, from a 16 inch gun (Big Bertha), to a V2 rocket. I loved that place.

About this knife: I want one. But I'd REALLY like to have it in carbon fiber, rather than brown G10. Does anyone know where I can find CF scales for it?
Click to expand...

That museum at APG is well worth seeing for sure. I was there in late '81.
There are a few folks that will gladly mod a Southard for you. Do a search and you will find custom scales galore...
 
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