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Southern Grind Spider Monkey Review

by Dan Jackson 16 Comments

This post contains affiliate links. We may get paid an affiliate commission if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of the links on this web page.

Last Updated: July 30, 2019
Southern Grind is the pet project of country musician Zac Brown. Zac has a strong interest in pocket knives, and he apparently created Southern Grind in part to explore that interest. Southern Grind produces their knives in house, in the USA, and the knives feature a number of design decisions that stray from the beaten path. What I find especially interesting is that they make their custom own hardware.

Southern Grind Spider Monkey
Buy the Southern Grind Spider Monkey at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

Southern Grind’s first folder was the Bad Monkey, a quirky take on the large linerlock EDC knife. For whatever reason I never pulled the trigger on the Bad Monkey, but with the release of the smaller, lighter, and more refined Spider Monkey I finally moved forward.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The Spider Monkey features an overall length of 7.50″, a 3.25” blade, and it weighs 3.2 ounces. The Spider Monkey compares favorably to Sage 1. The blade on the Spider Monkey is a 1/4″ longer than the blade of the Sage, but the handle is the same size. While the original Bad Monkey was a large utility folder with a 4″ blade, the Spider Monkey is much smaller and geared towards the EDC crowd.

Southern Grind Spider Monkey Blade

The blade is a gently sloping drop point shape with a prominent thumb ramp and small swedge. This knife also features a high flat grind and has been finished with a polish and stonewash. This is a classic no-frills blade shape, that gives you a little of everything. The tip is fine and ideal for piercing cuts, there is some belly, but also plenty of edge for draw cuts. The grind is thin and the knife slices well, and the edge has been applied neatly. This is a capable blade, ideally suited for daily tasks. I used my knife to open boxes, cut fruit, and help out with chores around the house.

Southern Grind also offers the Spider Monkey with a tanto blade shape, a partially serrated version, and with an optional black coating.

Southern Grind Spider Monkey Spine

Southern Grind used S35VN steel for the blade, a good choice given the price point and intended use. I’ve written a lot about S35VN. We seem to see it crop up in more and more premium knives these days. I like how this steel holds a good edge, but is still is easy to sharpen. I prefer it over harder steels that are more difficult to maintain. I like how I can run this knife over a ceramic rod and bring it back to hair shaving sharp without a ton of work.

Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip

The Spider Monkey features carbon fiber handle scales over titanium liners. The carbon fiber is contoured, and it features a ribbed texture that starts at the pommel and fades into smooth carbon fiber about half way into the handle. The handle is held together with custom hardware and pillars. The fit of all the parts is excellent. The profile of the handle is unique with its swayed back and large pommel, but it all works. Even the laser etched logo on the custom pivot is perfectly aligned. It is little touches like this that show the thought and care that went into engineering this knife.

Southern Grind Spider Monkey Handle

I am also not a fan of the proprietary body screws. While I can appreciate the fact that these are custom machined parts, you need a special tool to take the knife apart, and it doesn’t ship with the knife. I’d prefer torx hardware for ease of disassembly, or at least charge me a little extra and ship the knife with the necessary take down tool.

Southern Grind Spider Monkey Ergonomics

The handle of the Spider Monkey may look a little boxy, but it is comfortable. The finger choil does a good job indexing your finger, and the rounded back corner of the handle is fits neatly into your hand. While the carbon fiber scales don’t offer tons of grip, there is some texture here. Plus, there is some aggressive jimping on the thumb ramp. I would dial that back or do away with it, but I know some people will appreciate the extra traction here.

Southern Grind Spider Monkey Pocket Clip

The pocket clip is perhaps the most novel feature of the knife. This is a shortened version of the clip you will find on a Benchmade or Emerson. This is something Zack Brown himself developed after being frustrated with longer pocket clips. This won’t be to everyone’s taste, but I think it’s cool. The clip works well. Retention is strong and there is no danger of the Spider Monkey slipping out of your pocket. If you don’t like it you could always swap it out with a Benchmade or Emerson clip.

Deployment and Lockup

The Spider Monkey uses dual thumb studs to get the blade open. Again, we have proprietary hardware here, which is cool to see in this application. I found the action on my knife to be a little stiff, and because of the custom body screws I was not able to take the knife apart for a cleaning. I could flick the blade open with some wrist action, but that was it. The action is smooth thanks in part to phosphor bronze washers, but the blade doesn’t want to fly open like on some of my other knives.

Southern Grind Spider Monkey vs Spyderco Sage 1

The titanium liner lock is substantial and executed wonderfully. Lockup is early and secure. There is absolutely no blade play in any direction, and the lock is easy enough to disengage when you are ready to close the blade. This liner lock works so well, I thought it was stainless steel. I bemoaned titanium liner locks in my Emerson Gentleman Jim review because the titanium liner lock on my knife (and in most Emersons I have handled) stick like crazy. Clearly, not all titanium liner locks are created equal, and this is a great liner lock. It is easily on par with my Sage 1.

Blade centering is perfect on my knife.

Southern Grind Spider Monkey – Final Thoughts

The Spider Monkey is a cool little knife. I have been intrigued by this company, ever since they arrived on the scene a few years ago, but I ended up liking the Spider Monkey more than I thought I would. It’s a great size and there are a number of details that set this apart from your typical slab construction liner lock folders. I like the stubby pocket clip, the custom pivot and thumb studs, and the contoured carbon fiber handles. In a way, this is how I would expect an Emerson knife to be made: beautiful construction, modern materials, and a stainless steel thick titanium liner lock that doesn’t stick with phosphor bronze washers. But like an Emerson, this Southern Grind knife has its quirks as well.

The biggest quirk, and my biggest beef with the Spider Monkey, is that I don’t like the proprietary body screws. I have found that being able to periodically disassemble and clean my EDC knives is essential to a piece being a true “user” knife for me. I don’t care if I never disassemble my 888, but I need to be able to take apart a simple liner lock EDC knife like this.

Still, the pros outweigh the cons with the Spider Monkey. Southern Grind is a young knife company, and they are coming out with some cool stuff. Plus, they clearly know how to make things. The tolerances are great, and the end result is a premium product. I enjoy this Spider Monkey and look forward to keeping it for long term testing and evaluation. In the meantime, buy it if you like the design. I can vouch that it is a quality tool.

Southern Grind Spider Monkey Drop Point Folding Knife with Carbon Fiber Handle
Southern Grind Spider Monkey Drop Point Folding Knife with Carbon Fiber Handle
  • PREMIUM QUALITY: Made from S35VN steel for a strong and dependable knife. Your blade stays safe and secure with our 6AL4V Titanium lock and liner.
  • BUILT TO LAST: Our tough, durable USA-made tactical knives give you unmatched reliability - resistant to edge chipping and corrosion.
  • STRONG GRIP: Textured carbon fiber matte finish for a strong and solid, all-conditions grip. The short pocket clip ensures a secure pocket carry with minimal interference.
  • VERSATILITY: An all-around EDC knife perfect for every day use as well as tactical or military purposes. Foldable and compact to store in your backpack, survival gear kit, and more.
  • 100% GUARANTEE, MADE IN USA: Your Southern Grind knife is guaranteed under our Limited Warranty for the lifetime of the original purchaser. A portion of each sale goes to benefit Camp Southern Ground.
Buy on Amazon

I recommend purchasing the Southern Grind Spider Monkey at Amazon, BladeHQ, and KnifeArt. Please consider that purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

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Related

Filed Under: EDC Knives, Folding Knives, Made in the USA Tagged With: carbon fiber, drop point, liner lock, Made in USA, S35VN

About Dan Jackson

Dan is the creator of BladeReviews.com. He founded the site in 2010, and for the first 5 years Dan wrote all of the reviews and recorded all of the video reviews. He grew up using pocket knives, and the decision to start the website stemmed from his fascination of all things sharp combined with a deep passion for writing. He has personally reviewed almost 300 knives of all shapes, sizes, and price points. He is recognized as an authority on daily carry knives and has consulted with knife companies on product design.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Grayson says

    January 15, 2017 at 11:02 pm

    Hey Dan,
    Like most knives, if it was offered in micarta, I’d throw money at the manufacturer like a chimp throws…opinions.

    Anyhoo.

    The clip on Southern Grind knives always struck me as odd. I’d like to try one of their clips – maybe they’re onto something – but to whit have never had the funds and gumption to purchase one of their knives just to check that out.

    Sorry to see it has proprietary bolts. That trend needs to die in a fire.

    Great review!
    -Grayson

    Reply
    • Dan says

      January 20, 2017 at 9:48 am

      Hey Grayson, Thank you very much for stopping by and checking out the review. Micarta handles would be an interesting option. I have always enjoyed those on my ESEE fixed blade knives.

      The stubby pocket clip is interesting for sure. I’d be happy to send you my knife to check out. I think it’s a cool piece.

      Dan

      Reply
  2. Mike says

    January 16, 2017 at 10:48 pm

    Nice review! The liners are titanium though not stainless

    Reply
    • Dan says

      January 17, 2017 at 5:06 am

      Thanks, Mike. Wow! You are right and I didn’t even realize it. They don’t stick like the god awful titanium liners on an Emerson, so I assumed they were stainless steel. My mistake, and time to update the review!

      Dan

      Reply
  3. Earl Sweatpants says

    January 20, 2017 at 6:27 pm

    Is a tool to remove the proprietary screws included? Because then it’s not much of an issue but if not what can you use?

    Reply
    • Dan says

      January 20, 2017 at 7:23 pm

      Earl,

      The tool isn’t shipped with the knife (otherwise I wouldn’t complain). It’s a $12 “snake eye” tool (https://store.southerngrind.com/snake-eye-tool.html). Offhand, I’m not sure what else you could use. I guess if you were handy you could fabricate something, but it’s above my paygrade.

      Dan

      Reply
      • Earl Sweatpants says

        January 21, 2017 at 11:48 am

        Thanks for the reply! Nice knife, but for the price the tool should be included IMO. I just don’t like the idea of having to buy an extra with a $200 knife, regardless of how nice that knife may be (and it’s definitely a beauty). Perhaps they’ll re-think that idea going forward.

        Reply
        • Dan says

          January 21, 2017 at 7:11 pm

          Earl,

          I agree. It’s probably a $2 tool. Would be nice to see it included with every knife.

          Dan

          Reply
  4. Derek says

    January 29, 2017 at 5:17 pm

    Great review. I’ve got a serious urge to pick one of these up, but the proprietary screws along with the price point are enough to keep me away… for now.

    I love everything else that I’ve seen mentioned about the knife, and think the clip looks pretty cool.

    Reply
    • Dan says

      January 29, 2017 at 7:51 pm

      Thank you, Derek. It’s a nice knife for sure.

      Dan

      Reply
  5. Brian Daniels says

    February 17, 2017 at 3:36 am

    I would have to imagine the proprietary screws are simple tamper proof units. Any cheap tamper proof or security bit kit should have the right bit.

    Reply
    • Dan says

      February 17, 2017 at 7:39 am

      Hey Brian,

      Thanks for stopping by. I wasn’t familiar with tamper proof screws until I saw your comment and googled them. Yes, these may be tamper proof screws. If you already have a tamper proof bit or driver then you may not need to purchase the tool from Southern Grind. I’d be curious to hear if anyone has had luck with this.

      Dan

      Reply
  6. David says

    April 22, 2019 at 4:09 am

    Hey Dan, thx for the review. According to Southern Grind the knife has a flat- not a hollow grind: https://www.southerngrind.com/collections/best-selling/products/spider-monkey-drop-point

    Sincerely
    David

    Reply
    • Dan Jackson says

      April 22, 2019 at 7:21 pm

      Hi David, Thanks for taking the time out to leave a comment. Hmm, I could very well have been wrong on the grind. I don’t have the knife any more, but will take the manufacturer’s word for it. 😉 Thanks for letting me know.

      Cheers,

      Dan

      Reply
      • Joe Edwards says

        March 15, 2022 at 10:03 am

        Bad news. After the sale of SG and the subsequent firing of the employees by a guy who is Worth 50 million dollars (grrr) …the knives are now being produced again in Florida. I bought two and immediately sent the back. One had terrible side to side blade play and the other had problems with a weak detent.

        Diamondback doesn’t seem to care about QC.

        After all of this from Zac and Diamondback, I sold off my last two copper Spider Monkeys. To heck with “Southern Grind”.

        Reply
  7. Martian says

    October 28, 2022 at 5:34 am

    Southern grind for there price would have to match Chris reeves knives quality or they aint worth $125.00 in 2022 because I heard quality went down on reviews of them and there proprietary hardware is a no no to adjust pivot tention

    Reply

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