Just jumped on a deal deal on the Southard, and I thought you'd like some comparison pics. It's an awesome knife, let me tell you. The fit and finish are superb, the size and ergos are awesome, and it just feels perfectly balanced.
As you can tell from the pics, it's just my kinda knife size-wise. Also, I love knives that give you a lot of edge, and boy if this one doesn't do that! See it below next to the Manix XL, Stretch, and R sprint. I also think it's very similar to the Benchmade Osborne 940.
Looking at the pics with the 940 above, I can't get over how the Southard appears to shrink itself when closed and in the pocket, but grow to give you more blade and handle when open.
The blade shape of the Southard is awesome, and I noticed that it follows almost exactly the same profile as the Manix XL. I also compare it to the R and the Stretch below.
Indeed, which is why I'm a bit puzzled with the requests to shrink it. See below with the PPT for the same strange effect: small in the pocket, big in the hand.
It is a much bigger knife than I thought. At first glance the PM2 seems like the bigger blade but you can see the more cutting edge on the Southard. Same with the military. Color me surprised.
These are fantastic pics. May have to put the Southard on the want list. Didn't know that the cutting edge is about the same as the Military and the handle is the size of a Para.
When I saw the proto pics of the Southard last year, this was the "have to have" knife for me! Then when it came out, the MSRP, and retail prices killed it for me. Bad last few years $ wise for us. Worked a lot of O.T. this winter, just to make ends meet, when my O.T. usually goes to my hobby $ stash. Was able to put back a few $ to spend on knives.
I have watched, every where, Dealers, "auction sites" private for sale ad's at the Southard for the last couple of months daily, and have come soooooo close to pulling the trigger, then talked myself out of it, time and time again.
Well after looking at this thread tonight (Great pic's fellas!) I went to the "bay" and finally pulled the trigger for my this years Spydie Grail knife.
I could not be happier! Now I can't wait for it to get here. Thanks for all the great comparos to get me off the fence !
"I would rather wake up in the middle of no where than in any city on earth" (Steve McQueen)
"There are just two things money cannot buy. One is True Love, and the other is Home Grown Tomatoes"
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