4" flipper recommendations

R

remn

Joined
Feb 8, 2012
Messages
8
My Kershaw Skyline is the first flipper I've owned and I the flipper action just keeps growing on me. Thing is I prefer a slightly longer blade, in the 4" league so I'm wondering what some options are for flippers in that size. While I'm at it I wouldn't mind a higher quality steel. I'd prefer G-10 or CF for the scales but would consider other options. So what's out there? Would like to keep it under $200 but would consider higher price point for some extra quality.
 
Zero Tolerance 0452CF.

  • Street price: $220
  • Made in the USA
  • Based on the award-winning 0454
  • Manual open, KVT ball-bearing system
  • Frame lock
  • Reversible (left/right), deep-carry clip
  • Steel: S35VN, stonewashed & satin finish
  • Handle: Carbon fiber front, titanium back, stonewashed finish
  • Blade length: 4.1 in. (10.4 cm)
  • Closed length: 5.2 in. (13.2 cm)
  • Overall length: 9.3 in. (23.6 cm)
  • Weight: 4.6 oz. (130.4 g)

0452cf_profile_1020x400.png
 
RamZar said:
Zero Tolerance 0452CF.

  • Street price: $220
  • Made in the USA
  • Based on the award-winning 0454
  • Manual open, KVT ball-bearing system
  • Frame lock
  • Reversible (left/right), deep-carry clip
  • Steel: S35VN, stonewashed & satin finish
  • Handle: Carbon fiber front, titanium back, stonewashed finish
  • Blade length: 4.1 in. (10.4 cm)
  • Closed length: 5.2 in. (13.2 cm)
  • Overall length: 9.3 in. (23.6 cm)
  • Weight: 4.6 oz. (130.4 g)

0452cf_profile_1020x400.png
Click to expand...

I'm drooling as I write this post :eek: Might have to add $20 to my max price :D
 
Second on the 0452CF recommendation. Fantastic knife. Quite a bit larger than the Skyline.

ZT0452CF_Skyline_open_800x350.jpg


ZT0452CF_Skyline_closed_800x319.jpg


ZT0452CF_Skyline_length_800x435.jpg
 
I've got a ZT 0452CF on pre-order, it looks great!

I like ~4 inch flippers too. A few months ago I went to Ace Of Knives and handled a number of different models, including small and large Sebenzas, but nothing came close to the feel of the Olamic Wayfarer in carbon fiber (4.25 inch CPM-154 blade). After waiting a few weeks to make sure it wasn't just a passing interest, I bought one. It's a little spendy, but I'll enjoy owning it for the rest of my life. I highly recommend that you try to handle as many folders as you can before plunking down your cash. Make sure you can easily return something you just don't like. Buy from stores with a good return policy. I was surprised that I didn't much like the feel of Hinderer and most of the cheaper ZT stuff. The CF Wayfarer felt like it was molded to fit me.

A couple days ago I received a used SpyderCo Southard which I bought through Blade Forums for under $200 - it is a very nice 4 inch flipper. At first it was too stiff, so I applied a little Break Free CLP on the bearing, which smoothed out the action quite nicely. The blade is CTS204P, which is similar to M390. You'll need a diamond or hard ceramic sharpener for this blade. The blade is very stout, and has zero play.

I do NOT recommend Kizer unless you don't mind having an inferior steel blade. I bought one that said S35VN on the blade, but I never could get a decent edge on it. Sold it to a friend (with full disclosure) and eventually he managed to get it to a serviceable level, but all my knives are sharper, even the $40 SpyderCo Resilience. (If you don't have to have a flipper, the Resilience is a great way to get a 4-inch-plus blade for $40!)
 
NotAddicted said:
I like ~4 inch flippers too. A few months ago I went to Ace Of Knives and handled a number of different models, including small and large Sebenzas, but nothing came close to the feel of the Olamic Wayfarer in carbon fiber (4.25 inch CPM-154 blade). After waiting a few weeks to make sure it wasn't just a passing interest, I bought one. It's a little spendy, but I'll enjoy owning it for the rest of my life. I highly recommend that you try to handle as many folders as you can before plunking down your cash. Make sure you can easily return something you just don't like. Buy from stores with a good return policy. I was surprised that I didn't much like the feel of Hinderer and most of the cheaper ZT stuff. The CF Wayfarer felt like it was molded to fit me.

A couple days ago I received a used SpyderCo Southard which I bought through Blade Forums for under $200 - it is a very nice 4 inch flipper. At first it was too stiff, so I applied a little Break Free CLP on the bearing, which smoothed out the action quite nicely. The blade is CTS204P, which is similar to M390. You'll need a diamond or hard ceramic sharpener for this blade. The blade is very stout, and has zero play.
Click to expand...

Olamic Wayfarer has a 4" blade and goes for $500+.

Spyderco Southard has a 3.46" blade.
 
~ means "roughly"

But you were right about the Olamic being 4 inches of blade... there were a few made with 4.25 inch blades but mine was not one of them.
 
Kizer Ki5404A2 is worth checking out. BladeHQ has a great price on them and mine has been rock solid since I bought it.
 
Thanks for the great suggestions you guys are awesome! Right now the ZT 0452CF is at the top of my list. That Brous flipper is cool but it's a bit too design-y for my taste. I'm wondering how long the wait will be for the ZT? I put in a pre-order so I guess I have time to go with another option if I change my mind.
 
I'd second the thumbs up for the ZT 0560. Fantastic flipper...3.75" though, but I don't think you'll miss the .25. ZT just recently put it on their discontinued list. Definitely can be had for your budget.
 
I'd second the thumbs up for the ZT 0560. Fantastic flipper...3.75" though, but I don't think you'll miss the .25. ZT just recently put it on their discontinued list. Definitely can be had for your budget.
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I'm considering that one too, I like the one with the blackwash blade. Hopefully I have some time to decide, looks like the 0560s are going out of stock fast.
 
The 0560 is a great knife too, but also pretty different from the slim profile of the Skyline or 0452CF. It does have a wider and thicker handle, which fills the hand a better. If you're doing a lot or heavier cutting, the wider handle is more comfortable.
 
remn said:
Thanks for the great suggestions you guys are awesome! Right now the ZT 0452CF is at the top of my list. That Brous flipper is cool but it's a bit too design-y for my taste. I'm wondering how long the wait will be for the ZT? I put in a pre-order so I guess I have time to go with another option if I change my mind.
Click to expand...

House of Blades has them in stock.
 
0452CF all the way. Probably one of the best production flippers available. Leagues better than the 0560, which had its genesis before the super strong detent, snappy flipping action revolution.

Also have to recommend the Reate Horizon C. Definitely the strongest detent I've felt on a production flipper, which combined with the multi row bearing system leads to some pretty dramatic results. That being said, the detent might almost be TOO strong at this point.
 
I have flippers in both camps Misanthropia talks about....never occurred to me that one is necessarily "better" than the other in an objective sense. They are certainly different in their deployment. Those that are in that Hinderer 500 series tend to behave much like the 3.5" XM-18 series requiring no wrist at all but making their way out in a kind of a easy, loping movement. The exception would be the spring assisted 0566 which is more like The "super strong detent" flippers mentioned, but by virtue of an assist and not the detent. My ZT 0808 and ADV Mini-Butcher use a strong detent to snap out faster, much like the 0452CF. The feel is different, but a choice in which is "better" is all a personal preference. All of them get the job done without exception as far as the examples mentioned here. Don't think you'll every be having to use your wrist on any...don't think any are going to be holding you up from getting to use the knife for whatever you are deploying it for. Different strokes, and all that. The blade shapes are quite different and further personal preferences may choose one over the other. If you are willing to go to 3.5" then the ZT0560(CF) would also be a great choice in your price range (CF version will bump it up a bit over, but the G10 version is right in there).
 
The 0452CF is gonna be really hard to beat, especially if you liked the Skyline. The Skyline was my first flipper love as well, and I ended up with the 0452's little brother - the 045X family has the same slim, lightweight flipper formula as the Skyline.

ZT also has the 056X series, which are bulkier, if you happen to prefer that, and the 0801 is another popular one. I don't have personal experience with those, but they're very well regarded.

I would also throw out Kizer as a strong contender - I didn't share NotAddicted's experience with their S35VN, and found it to behave pretty much exactly the same as the S35VN on my Spyderco Native5. Their stuff tends to be a bit wider in pocket, and the flippers are less "snappy," than the KVT pivots but still very good. They'll also run you noticeably cheaper than the 0452 - you can get a Ki4443A for $82, which is pretty insane. Some of their newer stuff, like the Flashbang and Dorado, also run bearing pivots.

...But yeah, you're probably gonna get the 0452.
 
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