So just got these in the mail today, and these are my impressions.
They are the following:
Benchmade 300SN Axis Flipper
Spyderco Southard
The Benchmade 300SN, what can I say it's your typical Benchmade. Of course the blade is 154CM, not the greatest, but gets the job done. It is well made, feels stout, little blade play, and smooth to open. The only negative I can say is the pressure that the Axis lock puts on the blade makes the flipper next to useless. You pretty much have to give a flick of the wrist to get a strong engagement. This knife is quicker to deploy from the thumb stud, or from gravity by releasing the Axis lock. Overall a great knife, but it the flipper is quite frankly only useful as a choil.
On to the Spyderco Southard. Blade is CTS-204P, will have to evaluate this steel myself. This is an impressive knife, and it should be given it's price. Has a strong lockup, no blade play, and the flipper opens the knife with authority. The only negatives in this knife, and you will see this as a main gripe by most, is the difference in thickness from the lock side to the G10 side, and the Spyderco hole is almost useless. The knife looks unbalanced, but feels great in the hand.
If I had to keep on obviously it would be the Southard. It is really upsetting, because the Axis lock and a flipper sound like such a great combination, but in reality it just doesn't work well.
They are the following:
Benchmade 300SN Axis Flipper
Spyderco Southard
The Benchmade 300SN, what can I say it's your typical Benchmade. Of course the blade is 154CM, not the greatest, but gets the job done. It is well made, feels stout, little blade play, and smooth to open. The only negative I can say is the pressure that the Axis lock puts on the blade makes the flipper next to useless. You pretty much have to give a flick of the wrist to get a strong engagement. This knife is quicker to deploy from the thumb stud, or from gravity by releasing the Axis lock. Overall a great knife, but it the flipper is quite frankly only useful as a choil.
On to the Spyderco Southard. Blade is CTS-204P, will have to evaluate this steel myself. This is an impressive knife, and it should be given it's price. Has a strong lockup, no blade play, and the flipper opens the knife with authority. The only negatives in this knife, and you will see this as a main gripe by most, is the difference in thickness from the lock side to the G10 side, and the Spyderco hole is almost useless. The knife looks unbalanced, but feels great in the hand.
If I had to keep on obviously it would be the Southard. It is really upsetting, because the Axis lock and a flipper sound like such a great combination, but in reality it just doesn't work well.
