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Thoughts on the Black Southard?

bowman78

bowman78

Joined
Oct 29, 2014
Messages
104
I haven't really done my research, but from what it looks like the Black Southard is available now.
I'm really itching to get my hands on a Spyderco Southard. I cannot choose between standard and the black one. Anyone own a Black Southard that can have some input here? Any input in general is welcome.
Thanks guys!
 
I've had both Southards. I love the black version better. Just remember that you will need to replace the clip or sand down the point on it. I just don't understand what they were thinking with that one. I have 3 pairs of jeans with shredded pockets because of that stupid clip. Great knife though.
 
The southard really stand out from the rest of spyderco folders .. its built and design do give a breath of fresh air in the entire line up. I too preferred the black version. Tried the domino and dice but they came no where close to the southard in my hands.
 
Same knife, different color and coating. As for the clip, removing it and bending it out a bit is all that is needed (with any folder that has too much clip tension). The sharp corner on the clip might annoy some people, or create a hot spot if people use the knife.
 
RevDevil said:
Same knife, different color and coating.
Click to expand...

Agreed, but from the strange-but-true department for you I would note that the black Southards I've handled have all been snappier flippers than the regular models for reasons unknown to me.

I love both kinds of Spyderco Southards, and this particular configuration is one of my most carried Southards these days:

IoG9MO4.jpg
 
evilgreg said:
Agreed, but from the strange-but-true department for you I would note that the black Southards I've handled have all been snappier flippers than the regular models for reasons unknown to me.

I love both kinds of Spyderco Southards, and this particular configuration is one of my most carried Southards these days:
Click to expand...

I wonder if it could be the thickness of the coating causing the more firm action.
 
rycen said:
I wonder if it could be the thickness of the coating causing the more firm action.
Click to expand...

That's my guess as well, that the coated blade adds a tiny bit of thickness that makes the detent rub harder or somesuch. I've handled four black Southards and, I dunno, a lot of regular Southards, and I have noticed the black ones to have snappier action. Nothing scientific, just the idle observation of an obsessed Spyderco Southard fan, really ;)
 
Not having any real experience with the black coated blades - how well does the finish hold up with daily use and frequent tune ups on the Sharpmaker? Will this start to look like crap after a few months - longer?
 
rycen said:
I wonder if it could be the thickness of the coating causing the more firm action.
Click to expand...

I was thinking that too, the DLC might be acting as a dry "self lubricating" medium.

Raysem, the DLC coating is one of the better for wear/abrasion resistance. It's like 70-80 something on the Rc scale. It's much better than Cerakote or Durakote.
 
I don't believe it's DLC coating on the Southard. Historically Spyderco only uses DLC coating on US made models.
 
rycen said:
I don't believe it's DLC coating on the Southard. Historically Spyderco only uses DLC coating on US made models.
Click to expand...

This is what the Spyderco description says - "It features a durable titanium carbonitride coating on its blade, handle scales, and other hardware."
So is that a DTC coating or one of the other 3 mentioned? And does anyone know how it compares. If I buy this knife it will be a user for me. Would like to keep it looking nice though and I do take care of my tools and toys.
 
RevDevil said:
Same knife, different color and coating. As for the clip, removing it and bending it out a bit is all that is needed (with any folder that has too much clip tension). The sharp corner on the clip might annoy some people, or create a hot spot if people use the knife.
Click to expand...
If I'm not mistaken the Spyderco black southard is made of different steel. Aside from that I was more out to see if anyone noticed anything different and if they liked it more and why.
 
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I own the original but I plan on getting the black one to go with my custom scale from sketch. I can't wait to show off the blue snakescale juma.
 
Should have looked on the spyderco website first:

"It features a durable titanium carbonitride coating on its blade, handle scales, and other hardware."
 
GooberBoober said:
I think the black one would look great with the original brown scales :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
Haha, I can agree with this. It would look pretty epic!


spketch said:
Bowman you are mistaken. Both are CTS-204p.
The black model differs in coating and color only. The blade coating is TiCN. I have no personal experience with it but it's supposed to be tougher than DLC.

Anyone know if they used the same coating on the titanium parts?
Click to expand...

Thank you for telling me. I really did minimal research haha. I knew it was a flipper and that's about it haha.
 
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