Southern Grind

The #1 community for Gun Owners in Indiana

Member Benefits:

  • Fewer Ads!
  • Discuss all aspects of firearm ownership
  • Discuss anti-gun legislation
  • Buy, sell, and trade in the classified section
  • Chat with Local gun shops, ranges, trainers & other businesses
  • Discover free outdoor shooting areas
  • View up to date on firearm-related events
  • Share photos & video with other members
  • ...and so much more!
  • tetsujin79

    Sharpshooter
    Rating - 100%
    28   0   0
    Apr 23, 2013
    387
    18
    NWI
    Who they are.

    So, I purchased a custom Bad Monkey (see pics below). While on the site looking for specs, I was reading the wave version Bad Monkey product page and it mentioned that purchase included a koozie, key chain, and bracelet.

    I made an assumption and thought my order would include those extras too. It didn't, and when I contacted Southern Grind's customer service, and they responded that even though my order didn't qualify for the bonuses, they would send them anyway. I declined as it was my mistake.

    They were nice enough to send the bonuses even though I figured out that it was my mistake and they didn't need to send them. ~$48 if I bought them from their store separately.

    That's some customer service, IMHO.


    As for the knife, I really like it. Very slim and light in the hand. So far I've only used it for garden tasks (cutting through woody/tough roots) and a little paracord chop suey, but it works. The pocket clip is small but strong and does its job well. The jimping is smooth but deep enough to be useful.

    One neat thing about the design of the blade is the hump above the thumb stud acts like a mini wave if you drag it out of your pocket.

    5A1F6159-5336-4357-B58E-97B71433141A_zpse2bjphyc.jpg


    65047D18-8B0A-4E75-9457-E14160947EBC_zps4bg97xex.jpg


    EBC541D4-8B07-4057-972F-445CC1CEB1CB_zpsdapjbrje.jpg


    FF088EDA-0D02-4AD7-9541-FF06BCCE4D08_zps6borasez.jpg


    A3342CB8-6842-4059-A849-E31D4D81AAF6_zpskctlfdqt.jpg


    9A74F2A2-A949-4B8B-828D-EE60E75F6EA0_zpsqflwx4wj.jpg
     

    rhino

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 100%
    24   0   0
    Mar 18, 2008
    30,906
    113
    Indiana
    That is some handsome work!

    I very much like the use of thinner stock for the blades. It may not be great for prying or pounding, but I generally buy knives to cut stuff and thinner is better for cutting.
     

    tetsujin79

    Sharpshooter
    Rating - 100%
    28   0   0
    Apr 23, 2013
    387
    18
    NWI
    Forgot to toss some specs up, more fuel to the fire. These should be right, but the version I have may weigh more or less since it has G10 handles. I'll post a pic with something other than a random cherry tomato for reference, because for the size, the weight is stupid light.

    Lock & Liner: 6AL4V Titanium
    Blade Steel: 14C-28N
    Grind: Conventional Flat Grind
    Blade Finish: Tumbled satin
    Hardness: RC 59-61 (Tanto)
    Overall Length: 9.125" (Tanto)
    Blade Length: 3.875" (Tanto)
    Handle Length: 5.25"
    Weight: 4.97 oz.
    Blade Thickness: .130"
     

    rhino

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 100%
    24   0   0
    Mar 18, 2008
    30,906
    113
    Indiana
    I just looked at the steel they use on the folders, 14C-28N. I'd prefer something a little further up the food chain of steel for what they are charging, like CPM S30V.
     

    tetsujin79

    Sharpshooter
    Rating - 100%
    28   0   0
    Apr 23, 2013
    387
    18
    NWI
    Was this requested by you?
    No, the customs like I have don't come with the wave.

    They have a stocking version like you pointed out with a stated "Emerson Wave feature" that comes with carbon fiber scales. I'm guessing it's licensed from Emerson.

    In the course of my e-mailing, I got some "shop talk" in with Mike Trull at Southern Grind and asked if the custom version had that hump on purpose to mimic the wave. Mr. Trull stated that some customers weren't used to using the wave as a deployment device and were surprised by the knife's action. In the custom version, they changed it to what you see in the above pics which you can use as a wave with some practice.
     

    tetsujin79

    Sharpshooter
    Rating - 100%
    28   0   0
    Apr 23, 2013
    387
    18
    NWI
     

    rhino

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 100%
    24   0   0
    Mar 18, 2008
    30,906
    113
    Indiana
    154CM can be tricky. The CPM 154CM is much better in my opinion (more regular grain structure). It's much easier to get a very sharp edge!

    What I read about the 14C28N was that it was < VG-10. However, everyone says it will take a wickedly sharp edge, so I'm not averse to trying it. That's a big advantage of VG-10 and the only advantage of AUS 8A in my opinion. CPM S30V is good in that regard too.
     

    tetsujin79

    Sharpshooter
    Rating - 100%
    28   0   0
    Apr 23, 2013
    387
    18
    NWI
    What I read about the 14C28N was that it was < VG-10. However, everyone says it will take a wickedly sharp edge, so I'm not averse to trying it.

    I was reading a bit too and I heard the same. Also, 14C28N was supposedly a Kershaw special blend of a steel made for razor blades, which would explain the "it takes a wicked edge".

    My Bad Monkey is really sharp, so yeah, maybe.
     

    Site Supporter

    INGO Supporter

    Latest posts

    Forum statistics

    Threads
    524,489
    Messages
    9,794,214
    Members
    53,638
    Latest member
    Dhlawson
    Top Bottom