Zero Tolerance 0562CF vs. Spyderco Southard

Zero Tolerance 0562CF or Spyderco Southard?

  • Zero Tolerance 0562CF

    Votes: 4 80.0%

  • Spyderco Southard

    Votes: 1 20.0%
  • Total voters
    5
As much as I like the 0562 and other Hinderer designs, I'll give the Southard the edge for EDC. More blade for the size, blade design more versatile for everyday use, smaller and lighter without giving up any utility, and flips well (most knives need adjustment once in a while). Clearly, the 0562 looks better but that's not why I carry. Form follows function and, for my uses, the Southard is excetionally well thought out. Maybe consider it a Hum-Vee rather than a tank. I know which one I'd get the most use out of. - - By the way, I have had a Hinderer for years and own 3 ZT Hinderers. I like them a lot, but I carry the Southard every day. I don't rotate either - I like the familiarity of a single knife unless I suspect another one will meet my projected needs better.
 
Some main differences:
0562CF
Japanese brand
Austrian Bohler steel
American made
Steel lockbar insert

Southard
American brand
American steel
Taiwan made
Carburized (or carbidized?) lockbar

Of course, we are comparing the CF version 0562 to the Southard which only comes in G10. As far as price goes, they aren't too far apart. Southard is as low as $223 brand new or $175 average LNIB on the exchange which compares nicely to either 0562 versions.
 
Great thread. I absolutely love both of them, and would venture to say if someone likes one then they would almost certainly like the other. I wasn't a fan of the Southard's blade profile at first, but after using a Sebenza Insingo for a while, my position on that has done a 180 degree turn...the pure utility of that blade shape combined with the hollow grind is something pretty special.

If I had to have one, it would be the 0562CF simply based on looks and frills (like CF scale). Then again, I put a carbon fiber scale on my Southard and it's damn pretty too. Blade shape looks better on the ZT, but if I were going strictly based on function, the Southard wins by a longshot.

I guess what I'm saying is this: Buy both if you can. :D
 
Stays Sharp said:
Some main differences:
0562CF
Japanese brand
Austrian Bohler steel
American made
Steel lockbar insert

Southard
American brand
American steel
Taiwan made
Carburized (or carbidized?) lockbar

Of course, we are comparing the CF version 0562 to the Southard which only comes in G10. As far as price goes, they aren't too far apart. Southard is as low as $223 brand new or $175 average LNIB on the exchange which compares nicely to either 0562 versions.
Click to expand...

Just FYI - You can get a Southard for right around $200-205 if you look around. And Gator Scales makes some gorgeous CF scales for them too.
 
I got both my 562CF's today. Initial impression is very good, they are both perfect specimens of the design, absolutely no blade play, early lock up, great detents, sharp, and both perfectly centered. I still think I prefer the Southard design overall but ZT and RHK did a great job on this knife too. I really like both of the one's I received, and I wasn't really expecting too!
 
Remember a CF scale with matching LBS for the Southard will run you about $80-$120!
 
Just skimming this thread--very late--but I would love, love, love me a 3" 0562. I'd buy that up in a snap. As it is, I'm still on the fence re: the 0562. It's a fantastic knife, but it's just a little heavy for EDC. I'll probably buy one anyway, but I'd really love to carry the thing regularly, and 5.6 oz. is just a little heavy for everyday.
 
I own both (though not the CF, the G10). I really want to like the Southard, but it's an awkward knife imo. The shape is cool, but that same shape makes it awkward. It does look more like a custom knife than the 0562, but there is just something I can't put my finger on about it. I think it's just a combination of things that make it weird: the brown scale, the overall shape, the way it carries, the clip, the thicker g10 side...The spyderco came with less issues out of box; it was perfect. The zt had an AWFUL sharpening job, the grinds were way off. One side was probably 30 or so degrees and the other, about 15 with some 30 degree spots. Closing the knife, the detent hit the blade tang causing a almost guillotine effect. You had to pop the detent over the tang with a little force, then the blade would almost slam shut due to that force you used to clear the tang. I remedied both of these issues with a little work. Even though the ZT had more issues out of box, I reach for it everytime over the Southard.
 
RamZar said:
Remember a CF scale with matching LBS for the Southard will run you about $80-$120!
Click to expand...

Only for those that care or want CF. Conversely, it would cost me extra to replace the stock CF with G10, thereby actually worsening the 0562 price gap. CF is not automatically better by default, it may be better for some, yet worse for others.
 
NetShocK said:
Only for those that care or want CF. Conversely, it would cost me extra to replace the stock CF with G10, thereby actually worsening the 0562 price gap. CF is not automatically better by default, it may be better for some, yet worse for others.
Click to expand...

I always use the analogy of leather seats on a car.
While some people may prefer fabric seats to leather, typically leather is considered an "upgrade", or the nicer option.
 
Rasco said:
I always use the analogy of leather seats on a car.
While some people may prefer fabric seats to leather, typically leather is considered an "upgrade", or the nicer option.
Click to expand...

Sure. So if we use that logic, then we should also shine some light on the fact that the 0562 does not use a 100% titanium frame. It in fact uses a stainless liner on the presentation side, which adds weight (like it needs it) and introduces a rather pedestrian material into the mix for no good reason other than to lower manufacturing cost. So, since you'd have me concede that CF is a more premium feature, I'd ask that you return the favour and concede that a full titanium frame, like the Southard uses, is also in fact a premium feature. To keep this apples to apples, how much would it cost to have a custom titanium liner made for the 0562?

When I discovered that the 0562 uses a stainless liner, my thoughts could be summed up in one word: lame.

For the record, I own both, and have never carried the 0562. Primarily because I find it too heavy.
 
Don't get me wrong guys - I like lightweight everything and HATE having stuff in my pant pockets but a 6oz. Folder clipped inside my front pocket is not a big deal to me or my sub 100lbs. Wife. I'm just trying to understand.
 
I own both and they're both outstanding, but the edge (so to speak) goes to the Southard for me. The ivory snake juma scale that spketch made for me might be one reason though I know that shouldn't be a factor in my ranking.

20140918_184949454_iOS_zps67843393.jpg
 
I love my Southard and am looking forward to getting the ZT.
Does anyone have any side by side photos of the two?

The ZT looks much bigger / thicker to me.
 
WickedSharpBlades said:
Don't get me wrong guys - I like lightweight everything and HATE having stuff in my pant pockets but a 6oz. Folder clipped inside my front pocket is not a big deal to me or my sub 100lbs. Wife. I'm just trying to understand.
Click to expand...

I don't think the folks concerned about weight are clipping the knife. It's just loose in pocket where an additional couple of ounces makes a difference bouncing around.
 
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