~$100 flipper suggestions

pialia

pialia

Joined
Feb 11, 2012
Messages
494
Hiya folks

I'm starting to become interested in flippers, wanting to try new mechanics and what not - been eyeing a few different higher end ones, but I want to make sure I actually like the concept before I pull the trigger on a Shirogorov or the like.

So I figured I'd ask for some flipper recommendations as sort of an introduction to the whole concept. I've looked a bit at the CRKT Ken Onion Ripple and Shenanigan, really like the look of the Ripple but I'm concerned it might not be that comfortable. Basically I'm looking for something comparable to my Spyderco Sage in F&F/quality/ergos. I wouldn't really want to compromise in build quality or opening action, I'd rather drop down in blade steel as I'm not really getting the knife for edge retention purposes, just want to test the waters - the flipper waters so to speak!

I'd love to hear about any knives you think I'm overlooking or what not.

Thanks,

Pia
 
Assisted-open:
Kershaws Leek & Cryo
Zero Tolerance 0350 (can sometimes find these under $100 on the secondary market)

Manual:
Kershaw Skyline
Zero Tolerance 0200 (can sometimes find these under $100 on the secondary market)
Buck Vantage
 
Anyone? Would love to hear a comparison between the aluminum Shenanigan with the plastic one. Never been much for the polymer that Spyderco uses on their cheaper knives, what's the Shenanigan like?

flarp said:
Assisted-open:
Kershaws Leek & Cryo
Zero Tolerance 0350 (can sometimes find these under $100 on the secondary market)

Manual:
Kershaw Skyline
Zero Tolerance 0200 (can sometimes find these under $100 on the secondary market)
Buck Vantage
Click to expand...

Leek looks sweet, but I'm not into assisteds. ZT is way too beefy. I was considering the Skyline but the handle design doesn't really appeal to me, maybe it's crazy comfy, but there aren't really any knife shops close by in Sweland where I could handle any of them :/
 
The Skyline is cheap enough that you should just go for it. You won't regret it.

The only non assisted flipper under $100 that I would highly recommend outside of the Skyline is the Kershaw Zing. My standard Zing Tanto is lightning fast. It honestly might be faster than my ZT0560.
 
Buck Vantage Pro. For 60 dollars give or take you get G10 handles Paul Bos ht S30V and Bucks awesome warranty.
 
I had a Buck Vantage but I don't think it's the best example of a flipper for a first timer. The flipper is small, hard to get leverage on and you really have to know what you're doing to get it to open all the way without using your wrist.
 
I figure I might as well ask it in this thread... some of the knives mentioned have slight recurves - does anyone know how these are to sharpen on the Wicked Edge? I have one arriving sometime this coming week and I don't really own any recurves aside from 18" khuks.

Even though I mostly getting the knife just for the sake of the flipper, I would like to be able to maintain it. Who knows, I might just fall in love with the first flipper I pick up! I sense a change in my EDC.
 
the Kershaw leek is a dope knife if your interested in assisted openers (flipper)
 
For a high quality flipper around $100, I'd go with a CRKT Eros.

Edit: Oh, you should be able to find a Zero Tolerance 0200 for about $100 as well. The 0200 is an amazing, tough knife for the price.
 
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Kershaw junk yard dog. Comes in two sizes, a couple different handle materials, and a regular blade in 14c and a composite in 14c with a d2 cutting edge. I believe there was also a sg2 blade too. Its a manual since you said you do not like assisted. You may have to look to find one depending on what size and blade material you choose as they have been discontinued.
 
gomipile said:
For a high quality flipper around $100, I'd go with a CRKT Eros.

Edit: Oh, you should be able to find a Zero Tolerance 0200 for about $100 as well. The 0200 is an amazing, tough knife for the price.
Click to expand...

I have an Eros and it's big brother the Ripple. They are both Ken Onion designs and both nice gentlemen's flippers. They both have the IKBS ball bearing pivot system that is nothing short of amazing. These are both completely manual flippers, but the blades fly out on the ball bearings like they were autos. They both have what CRKT calls Acuto + steel. They both have complex CNC machined scales with frame locks, altough there is a cheaper version of the Ripple that uses a liner lock. The Ripple has Aluminum scales, and the Eros has titanium scales.

The Eros is a SIGNICANTLY smaller knife with a much narrower blade that comes to a needle point. The Ripple blade is much more substantial, and would probably be better for moderate tasks.

All in all, I really like BOTH knives, but would only recommend the Eros for VERY light jobs due to the blade design.
 
[video=youtube;tEerby-TmBk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEerby-TmBk[/video]

Thank me later;)
 
The majority of Kershaw's folders are flipper designs. Here's their catalog. Browse through it. The Chinese knives are around $20, while the American ones go for between 50 and $90.
And, although I haven't handled the thinner, steel version of the Ripple, I can tell you that the thicker Aluminum version is extremely comfortable in hand. More so than a Delica, and about on par with a Mini Grip.
 
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Well, after reading all the praise the Leek has got - I decided to try out my first assisted folder(all though I have handled a few Benchmade's previously which weren't that impressive.)

Coming along with the Leek is a Ken Onion Ripple, I'm not that good at deciding in favor of one knife...

All I have to do now is wait.. feel free to tide me over with some pics of your Leeks/Ripples :D
 
You won't beat the frame lock Ripple in sub-$100 flippers. It's as smooth as any of the higher end flippers I've had. 0 wrist action needed thanks to the IKBS. The Leek is also a good one but to me doesn't count as a true flipper since it's assisted.
 
I had a leek at one point in time and it was a decent knife, so was the kershaw oso sweet i had.
 
You could also consider a zt0350 and take out the assist mechanism to make it a manual flipper?
 
pialia said:
Well, after reading all the praise the Leek has got - I decided to try out my first assisted folder(all though I have handled a few Benchmade's previously which weren't that impressive.)

Coming along with the Leek is a Ken Onion Ripple, I'm not that good at deciding in favor of one knife...

All I have to do now is wait.. feel free to tide me over with some pics of your Leeks/Ripples :D
Click to expand...

Any Kershaw knife. To bad Leek Freak isn't here. He'd definetly be able to hold you over for awhile with his Leeks.
 
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