Zac Brown and Southern Grind

Finally got around the the video knife review. Here is the youtube link:

[video=youtube_share;l7x9W9zi4tQ]http://youtu.be/l7x9W9zi4tQ[/video]
 
I don't understand the negative comments. I get if you don't like the knife, think it's too expensive, don't like waved knives, etc. Granted there are some Spydercos & Benchmades that appear to be better values, but this appears to be a mid-tech knife with full Ti liner & liner-lock (Emersons aren't anymore), fully licensed wave feature (Not many knife companies can say that, legally), CF scales (If you like CF, that's a plus), & a true V-grind blade (Emersons aren't). The Koozie (No idea what this is), leather keychain, & paracord bracelet instead of a box is different & the tool kit is only $10 (Much less than some others). Sandvik 14C28N steel is at 58-60 RC for the Drop-point & 59-61 RC for the Tanto blades. That's at a higher hardness than Emerson's 154CM (A gripe many have plus the chisel grind on ALL Emersons), so while some think the starting price of $170 is a bit high, I'm not so sure it's that bad. Plus, Southern Grind is supposedly going to start having Distributorships/Dealers, so I imagine you'll see the street price start going down a little. I'd guess a reasonable Internet store price will be starting at around $135 or so (Approx. 80% of MSRP).

Did anyone see the article about the knife in Blade magazine?
 
austonh,

Nice review, thanks. I have been waiting for somebody to do one since this knife came out. I am a fan of Brown's music and really like the concept for a first knife. Though the steel is not the best out there it appears to be good. Whether "good" is good enough at this price point is debatable. I really like the looks of the knife, even the pocket clip. Please keep us updated on actual use, i.e.; how the clip holds up, how the CF grips, and how the blade wears and sharpens.

CL01,

I too find it odd that so many appear to have negative comments about the knife and havent even seen one in person. I really dont see whats not to like about it (except the steel choice). Personally, I love to see new blood in the game, especially one producing the style of knife I like:)

jstrange
 
Great review austonh

What a great review.

As soon as these ship to dealers and drop a bit in price im down for one maybe two of those sweet tanto grind bad monkeys. Like everything about these knives, im just exceedingly broke right now so every dollar counts, or I would already own one.

Oh and for the edification of others. Koozies wrap around your beer and keep them cold and or give you a more comfortable hold on the otherwise cold, damp and slippery beer that has been sitting in a cooler during a day of fishing/hunting. I for one could do without that and the parachord bracelets.
 
My buddy at work has the Bad Monkey, it is a very fine knife fit and finish wise. When he got it(I think he picked it up at Blade) my first impression was just this but the price is kinda high for the steel that is used if you ask me, that and the sketchy clip keep me from wanting one.
 
CL01 said:
I don't understand the negative comments. I get if you don't like the knife, think it's too expensive, don't like waved knives, etc. Granted there are some Spydercos & Benchmades that appear to be better values, but this appears to be a mid-tech knife with full Ti liner & liner-lock (Emersons aren't anymore), fully licensed wave feature (Not many knife companies can say that, legally), CF scales (If you like CF, that's a plus), & a true V-grind blade (Emersons aren't). The Koozie (No idea what this is), leather keychain, & paracord bracelet instead of a box is different & the tool kit is only $10 (Much less than some others). Sandvik 14C28N steel is at 58-60 RC for the Drop-point & 59-61 RC for the Tanto blades. That's at a higher hardness than Emerson's 154CM (A gripe many have plus the chisel grind on ALL Emersons), so while some think the starting price of $170 is a bit high, I'm not so sure it's that bad. Plus, Southern Grind is supposedly going to start having Distributorships/Dealers, so I imagine you'll see the street price start going down a little. I'd guess a reasonable Internet store price will be starting at around $135 or so (Approx. 80% of MSRP).

Did anyone see the article about the knife in Blade magazine?
Click to expand...

I think the $170 price was about what they will go for online. I think the actual MSRP was like $220 someone posted earlier. $170 is a fair price I think. CF and Ti with a wave and excellent fit &finish is perfectly reasonable for under $200. The steel is blah, but it's a cool knife and I may pick one up eventually. I don't care for the monkey pivot but thats not a huge deal breaker.

I am curious as to why the tanto is run a touch harder. I guess their thinking is that the spear blade tip may be weaker so may need to be tougher as to avoid breakage. Interesting. I like their chopper, but it is actually a bit steep. The folder certainly seems cool though.
 
When they make a slightly smaller one I will buy one immediately. The current models are just too big for me right now, but I don't think the pricing is bad AT ALL. The few people I've talked to have gushed about the quality of the product. Personally I don't see anything to dislike really, but I own multiple Emersons so clearly I have no care for fit and finish or usable knives...

14c28n = Probably my favorite all around steel, works well enough for just about everything but isn't the best at anything.
Liner lock = The most convenient lock for me, never had a well made one fail.
Carbon fiber = Unquestionably cool, plus I used to work with the stuff on boats for years and it'd be nice to add some to the knife stable.
Titanium = Like anyone here dislikes Ti? :D
Wave = Almost as awesome as Ti, it seems fairly discrete on these models too.
Extra leather goodies = usually I just throw out the packaging, this knife comes with something to hug my beer, and make finding my keys easier? win.
Tiny pocket clip = I like it, it also will bolt up to my Emersons if I want to try it on them. Nifty.
Cool looking pivot = Ok, I know some guys like to tweak everything, kinda a bummer they don't give you the tool, but 10 bucks isn't that bad, or you could make one I'm sure.
Zac Brown Band = Love these guys, this does add to the cool factor here.

Ok, so people don't like the pivot tool and clip. Well heck, the clip is a standard 3 hole clip, there are a whole bunch of different options here, heck USA knife maker, knifekits.com, the G&G Hawk clip, some Benchmade clips, Emerson clips, etc...But the needing a tool is a negative if you choose not to just make one out of a screw driver.
 
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I was drawn to these knives the first I heard about them, and I have had one of their folders for awhile now. I too am baffled by how much negativity these knives have. Especially considering their is very strong resentment on this forum about American made only, here is a brand new company offering an incredible value knife, entirely made in the USA, and the only focus is what the blade steel is NOT. Folks talk like these came with surgical stainless or some other wholly recognized junk steel. Not surprisingly, the folks on here who actually use their knives are just about in unanimous agreement, that blade steel is not this huge deal so many make it out to be, and that yes, even if the steel is not a super ultra steel, it will perform just fine.

If you like emersons, give these a shot. These are large, very very well constructed folders, top notch materials, and at a very fair price. Lightweight, strong, great ergos, I hope these are but just the first of many offerings from southern grind.
 
jakeyjake4528 said:
I was drawn to these knives the first I heard about them, and I have had one of their folders for awhile now. I too am baffled by how much negativity these knives have. Especially considering their is very strong resentment on this forum about American made only, here is a brand new company offering an incredible value knife, entirely made in the USA, and the only focus is what the blade steel is NOT. Folks talk like these came with surgical stainless or some other wholly recognized junk steel. Not surprisingly, the folks on here who actually use their knives are just about in unanimous agreement, that blade steel is not this huge deal so many make it out to be, and that yes, even if the steel is not a super ultra steel, it will perform just fine.

If you like emersons, give these a shot. These are large, very very well constructed folders, top notch materials, and at a very fair price. Lightweight, strong, great ergos, I hope these are but just the first of many offerings from southern grind.
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Agreed. I enjoy trying new knives.
 
I received my Southern Grind Bad Monkey folder this week; the drop point model in matte finish. I am extremely impressed with the quality of this knife. It is by far one of the finest folders that I own at this point in time. I am very happy with my purchase. The knife came very sharp and very well put together. Lockup is early and closing detent is strong. Clip is short but it does retain the knife very well in my pocket. If anyone is on the fence about purchasing this knife, I would say go for it!
 
Sorry to those who look down upon digging up an old thread, but there's a pretty decent-sized article on Zac Brown and his Southern Grind company in the latest BLADE issue.
 
I bought one at the Blade Show today. I'm a big fan of Zac Brown, but not because of his knives, or his music. Well, after today I'm a fan of his folders (his fixed blades seem to still need a little work).

Zac Brown is an unpretentious individual who give back to the community at a level that far exceeds the giving of most other music or pop culture stars. He has a large presence in the county I live in (Fayette County, GA), and he runs a camp for special needs children (Camp Southern Ground) just south of here. Virtually all of his business ventures - to include his music concerts and sales of knives through Southern Grind - give back a share of the profits to his Camp Southern Ground venture.

In short, he's a stand-up guy who likes knives.

Does all this good will make his folders worth the asking price (I paid $180 at today's show)? No, of course not. What makes his folders worth the price is that they are darned good products. I was frankly surprised at the quality design elements and the fit and finish this knife exhibits. Whoda' thunk a bunch of Georgia rednecks could put out something this good? Did knowing this knife was manufactured by one of Zac Brown's companies make the buying decision easier? Yup.

Bottom line: it's a good knife put out by a good company and owned by a guy who does good things for his community and the disadvantaged. It's a winner in my book.
 
Knives look of good quality. They seem horribly overpriced, and I'm not sure why they would be considered a midtech over a BM, Spydie, Kershaw which have equal fit and finish and better quality components... Also they look about as ergonomic as my TV Remote.

wizzard1717 said:
Well lets see......4" blade in 14c28, titanium liners, nestled in carbon fiber, legit Emerson wave, custom hardware, fit & finish better than Emerson productions, plus some other goodies, and it is completely produced in the USA. All this for $170 does not seem too bad to me.
I don't understand the hate for this guy, is there a you tube video of him kickin' puppies or something.
I guess you could pay $170 for VG-10 CF Native or $170 for VG-10 CF Caly 3.5
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hmm. More like $175 for a ZDP 189 Caly 3.5, and $130 for the plain jane VG10. Let's not forget a knife that was actually built to have great ergonomics for hard work instead of that rectangle of a handle with a finger cutout.
 
goodeyesniper said:
Knives look of good quality. They seem horribly overpriced, and I'm not sure why they would be considered a midtech over a BM, Spydie, Kershaw which have equal fit and finish and better quality components... Also they look about as ergonomic as my TV Remote.



hmm. More like $175 for a ZDP 189 Caly 3.5, and $130 for the plain jane VG10. Let's not forget a knife that was actually built to have great ergonomics for hard work instead of that rectangle of a handle with a finger cutout.
Click to expand...

How much time have you spent using the Bad Monkey? Because I have quite a bit and I can say that it's actually quite comfortable, a lot like Striders are.
 
I got one about two weeks ago and have carried it every day since, I got a blacked out plain edge spear point. Never having owned an emerson, I now love the emerson wave. The handle is comfortable and and sturdy and the blade locks like a vault with no play. With all the controversy over the choice in steel, it holds an edge well and stays shard, which is all I ask. The fit and finish of the knife is excellent. and the small clip doesn't make it any less secure in your pocket but makes it look and hold better. All in all I think it was worth every penny I paid and some day I hope to get another.
 
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