ZT 0561 or Southard or ?

Sonnydaze said:
Southard. I don't need a tactical folder, so why carry one? Yes, the ZT's are great...IF you need all that bulk.
Click to expand...

I feel the same way about the Southard. The workmanship is excellent, great material selection, flips effortlessly, nice finish (if galvanized trashcan is your thing), but it's far too bulky and over-built to perform optimally. Thin blades cut more efficiently, with less effort and drag, than thick blades. IMO, the Southard would be just about perfect if the entire knife--from the blade stock to the handle materials--was half the thickness. Unfortunately, bulk sells.
 
catchthecarp said:
I came really close to getting the ZT 0561, had it in my cart and was one click away before having a change of heart. I went with the Southard, just placed my order. Thanks for all the feedback, it was interesting reading everyone's impressions. I will keep a eye on the classified's for 0560/0561, I still want to try one. The way I'm going thru money on knives lately my next one will be used.
Click to expand...

You made a great choice, you will not be disappointed.
 
Wow, I'm really surprised for all the Southard love! They must be pretty special...
 
rpn said:
Wow, I'm really surprised for all the Southard love! They must be pretty special...
Click to expand...

They definitely are. They're like a reflection of all the advancements made in the industry thus far.

To me the Southard is the 2012 'Overall Knife Of The Year', 'Imported Knife Of The Year', and 'Knife Collaboration Of The Year'.
 
What a start, it's Spyderco's first flipper and also a G10/Ti. Spyderco just opened up Pandora's box. They know they have a hit in their hands and we all know what happens next... Get your wallets ready for sprint/variants and other flippers in the future. Cool to see how they follow up the Southard. Mine will be in the shortlist that remains in the rotation.
 
catchthecarp said:
I came really close to getting the ZT 0561, had it in my cart and was one click away before having a change of heart. I went with the Southard, just placed my order. Thanks for all the feedback, it was interesting reading everyone's impressions. I will keep a eye on the classified's for 0560/0561, I still want to try one. The way I'm going thru money on knives lately my next one will be used.
Click to expand...

Congratulations! You are in for a real treat. And yes, do try out a 056X in the future if you can :thumbup:


FCM415 said:
What a start, it's Spyderco's first flipper and also a G10/Ti. Spyderco just opened up Pandora's box. They know they have a hit in their hands and we all know what happens next... Get your wallets ready for sprint/variants and other flippers in the future. Cool to see how they follow up the Southard. Mine will be in the shortlist that remains in the rotation.
Click to expand...

It may be a while before it reaches our hands, but here's a quote on the matter from the man himself :D

Sal Glesser said:
Actually the next flipper planned is one Eric designed some time ago. He's refined the design and approved of the prototype and we're tooling up for production.

sal
Click to expand...
 
Wow, I wasn't planning on even considering a Southard, partially because IMO it is one of the ugliest knives I've ever seen, and also because the last thing I need is another Ti framelock, but this thread may have changed my mind. Are they really that great or just the latest thing?
 
jstn said:
Wow, I wasn't planning on even considering a Southard, partially because IMO it is one of the ugliest knives I've ever seen, and also because the last thing I need is another Ti framelock, but this thread may have changed my mind. Are they really that great or just the latest thing?
Click to expand...

They are the latest thing, but also really are just that great. I wasn't completely sold on the styling either until I got mine in my hand. The egros are spectacular and the blade shape, while slightly unconventional, is very utilitarian and extremely useful for general edc tasks.
 
As far as styling, lined up next to Brad Southard's custom work, the Spyderco Southard fits right in.
 
I can't get past the looks of the Southard. The spydie hole is pointless and the g10 lock stop looks out of place. Also the lack of tip down carry is a turn off for me.

I do find it funny that people say the Southard is leagues ahead of the 0560 considering that the only reason the price is competitive is because it is made in Taiwan. Pretty sure Sal has said that is the Southard was made in Golden it would have cost over $400...

I have no issues carrying larger knives (top down in my right rear pocket) and my 0560 has dominated that pocket space since May.
 
I thought the same thing about the spydie hole for a long time until I got a military which I love! I still hate the fact that spyderco does not make their knives with different clip transitions. That is the one huge drawback that I feel they should fix. They got it right with the para 2 so I am not sure why they have been dragging their feet on doing it with their other knives.
 
It really is that great. So wonderful that Spyderco finally offers a flipper... in the USA equivalent of M390... and of the now famous quality/tolerances of a Taichung Taiwan release. Though the Southard may initially (or forever? haha) look off-putting to you, find a picture and cover half of the blade lengthwise with your hand or something, exposing the cutting edge from point to handle. Does that profile do anything for you? This is a practice I've started employing towards all my blades in an effort to better understand one aspect of their character without any distractions (whether positive or negative). If it's the look of the handle that bothers you, if possible I suggest you put one in your hand and make a call :)
 
Scurvy092 said:
I can't get past the looks of the Southard. The spydie hole is pointless and the g10 lock stop looks out of place. Also the lack of tip down carry is a turn off for me.

I do find it funny that people say the Southard is leagues ahead of the 0560 considering that the only reason the price is competitive is because it is made in Taiwan. Pretty sure Sal has said that is the Southard was made in Golden it would have cost over $400...

I have no issues carrying larger knives (top down in my right rear pocket) and my 0560 has dominated that pocket space since May.
Click to expand...

I'll agree that the G10 over travel stop sticks out visually... I'll also add (like others have already mentioned in other threads) that the clip could use some rounding (again visually, separate from practical use). I did actually run the clip through one of the perforations in my shorts accidentally yesterday, which made a little hole. But, I am absolutely willing to look past those minor issues in the grand scheme of things. I cannot agree that the Spydie hole is pointless... though it's a flipper, you can still deploy the blade using any traditional Spyder methods. To make sure, I just tried thumb opening into standard/hammer grip, ring finger into icepick, and Spyder drop-- all clear.
 
Last edited:
I understand the spydie hole can still be used but I just think it's functionality is greatly reduced when you add the flipper. It's not as bad as a spydie hole on fixed blade knives but still.

I'm very interested to see the new flipper from Eric. I would love to see a flipper version of the PM2. I think it would be really easy to turn the choil area into a flipper.

I also seem to remember reading something about the differences between 204p and M390. IIRC, 204p is made using 2nd gen PM while m390 is made using 3rd gen tech.
 
I really did laugh out loud when you mentioned the hole on a fixed blade... I get it. But come on-- it's their thing! That's what they do. It's gonna have a hole. It's a Spyderco :D

I do love my Street Beat and Schempp Rock unconditionally. At least with the Schempp Rock, you can make use and tie some paracord through both holes to secure around your hand (I haven't).

I'll admit to not having looked up detailed research on the differences between 204P and M390 at this point. My understanding has just been that they are similar. At the moment I only have one blade in M390 and unfortunately that piece never made it into the EDC rotation for various reasons. Prepaid a PM2 M390, however, and that will definitely pinch hit for my current PM2 whenever it arrives...
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top