Just curious what you all think would be the better choice. Which one gives you more for the money, which has better fit and finish, which would make a better edc, which has better warranty, etc. just trying to see what you all think. Not saying one is better than the other. It's most definitely personal opinion. Thanks!
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ZT 0561 vs Spyderco Southard, thoughts?
- Thread starter JDX
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is that the spyderco with the fragile hole in the tang?
if you think the spyderhole is a weak spot then I suggest you do a bit more research.or better yet, watch videos of people trying to intentionally break it and fail
He's talking about this:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1142995-Spyderco-Southard-blade-failure-with-pics
But as far as I know, this is the only case.
I have one myself, great knife! Don't own a 0561, so can't compare, but no complaints about the Southard at all!
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Both good knives and great customer service from both companies (I've used both warranties in the past...).
The 561 is a very beefy blade and heavier to carry whereas the Southard is much lighter weight... Both are on bearings as well. So it's really a personal preference thing
The 561 is a very beefy blade and heavier to carry whereas the Southard is much lighter weight... Both are on bearings as well. So it's really a personal preference thing
That was most likely a bad batch of steel as many mentioned, other than that, I don't plan on trying to baton something or abuse the knife so it shouldn't even be a problem
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well, the Southard is an attractive design. The ZT? Not so much.
I owned them both. Two different beasts. Southard is more slim and light. The 0561 is a beast though carries surprisingly well for its size. I like the design of the Southard more but it's not a hard use knife. I sold them both. Honestly, if you want a great user get a Slysz Bowie.
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It depends on what matters most to you. If you want pocket friendly, the Spyderco Southard is probably the winner. If you want rugged, the 0561 is the winner, particularly if you get the Gen 2 model. The 056x knives are better flippers and I love the milled Ti. Overall, I'd give the edge to the 0561, particularly given that they're currently in "closeout" mode. They're getting a little hard to find these days.
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Wow, just wow....
I was prepared to give you the benefit of the doubt and thought you simply lacked info about the matter....., that is until I noticed that you posted in the above linked to thread about one (1) Southard failure (page five, post# 95).
From that thread I understand, that its one knife with maybe a bad heat treat.
Following Sal's slogan of 'shiny footprint,' I wont speak my mind about your remark in this thread. Suffice it to say, that of the two of you, I believe Sal to be a man of integrity.....
Rhetorical question; how many Spyderco Southards have you heard of failing outside of the one in the linked to thread. I thought so.
A pretty good track record IMO.
Both nice knives. The Spyderco Southard is no doubt plenty strong for its intended use.
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Typical knife knut answer: get them both! Seriously, I have them both and would find it really hard to choose one or the other.
Like others said, the Southard carries better in the pocket but the 0561 is more of a work horse.
I do prefer the 204p over the Elmax, though.
Like others said, the Southard carries better in the pocket but the 0561 is more of a work horse.
I do prefer the 204p over the Elmax, though.
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I'm not a fan of the internal stop pin either. It doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. And I have nothing against spyderco like some people. Got two on me right now and it is the brand I own the most of. Luckily they make such a huge range of styles. The two knives in questions also aren't in the same category for me either. I think the ZT 0560 is one of the classic knives in this hobby and will go down as such. I don't think the southard will be thought of the same way. I'd get a used 0560 and a pacific Salt for about the same price.
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I've owned both. Hard to compare the two. I hated the Southard and sold it three days later. Couldn't get it to flip reliably, and it felt. The 0561 I had was beast. Very heavy, feels great in hand. It had a very weak detente, and you really had to pull hard for a strong flip.
The southard has the edge in steel. The 0450 would be a better comparison.
Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk
The southard has the edge in steel. The 0450 would be a better comparison.
Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk
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Cray, Im a big fan of the (external) design of the Southard. I think, its a just plain gorgeous knife.
But I was surprised as most when the failed knife mentioned turned up and the stop pin design did look (looks) odd.
(I can easily live with the Southard design - both the knife internals and (obviously) the external design. Did I mention, that its a freaking gorgeous looking knife).
HOW EVER that doesnt change the following; 1. Its not like a slew of failed Spyderco Southards have turned up on the forums. 2. The knife mentioned seems to have failed due to a bad heat treat (that happens to the best of them and it happened to Spyderco). The design obviously works.
Due to Spydercos excellent CS, I wouldnt worry about a very very VERY low percentage of any Spyderco knife failing.
We are fortunate, that Spyderco/the Glessers have a wide model range to choose from - agreed.
As for the Spyderco Southard not becomming a future classic - we might disagree on that.
But...and there is always a but....Ive noticed something whilst perusing posts regarding the Southard over the past years; The Southard divides the waters of knife afficionados. There is nothing ho-hum about it. It divides the waters and you either love it or hate it - there is no in between.
QED
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And Sal and Eric remedied the situation immediately!
Daniel Dorn
Gold Member
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I have them both, and carry them each for different reasons. The Southard, being smaller, would be my EDC for office days, while the 0561 makes it into my pocket more on the weekends. Quality is tops for each, as are materials, warranty, design and looks.
It really comes down to what your primary use would be, and how much weight you want in your pants.
I even went as far as to buy custom scales for each. Both have nice carbon fiber dress-up clothes for when I'm feeling fancy.
It really comes down to what your primary use would be, and how much weight you want in your pants.
I even went as far as to buy custom scales for each. Both have nice carbon fiber dress-up clothes for when I'm feeling fancy.