A Good First Flipper - ~3" blade

C

cm_bushman

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Oct 22, 2012
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I really love the lines on several flipper knives, especially the upcoming ZT0566. I've never owned a flipper, however, and I'm looking for a solid knife to serve as my first, a sort of introduction to the style. I'd like to say under or around $200, and if it's best to wait and jump on a ZT, I'll gladly risk it.Also, I carry a mini-Grip right now, and it's size is about perfect, so I'd like comparably sized knives with a blade around 3" and not overly bulky.

I know Kershaw is the default choice for those on a budget, and I like the look of the Cryo. Other than that, the CRKT Ripple gets mixed reviews, but bearings and a milled handle are impressive features.

For that price, I also like the looks of a Southard, but it looks to be a pretty sizable knife, and as I said, I'm looking for something with ~3" blade.
 
If you can go a little over 3" the benchmade 300 is a sweet knife its 3.18" blade and its definitely under your $200 budget
 
Go with the Southard, it is a little bigger than you'd like, but it really isn't too big of a knife, and carries incredibly well. It's really just an incredible knife. I'd skip the benchmade if I were you, axis lock plus flippers don't really work too well. There isn't a traditional detent on an axis lock, so building up enough tension to flip the blade out with any kind of force is difficult. The result is slow, lethargic deployment, and a knife that feels like it should either have been a non flipper, or feature some other lock type. The CRKT ripple is a good one if you want to save a little dough, but get the stainless handled version, not the cheapo aluminum. The CRKT Eros also would fit the bill, and is slimmer and more gentlemanly. It features a titanium frame lock and an IKBS pivot just like the ripple. The Eros is a great knife that too often gets overlooked.
 
Kershaw LEEK!

Awesome flipper + Speedsafe (same as ZT's) + Lightweight + 3" blade...etc...fits your specs to a T.

Try a blem from kershawguy, $25-30...can't go wrong.
 
Benchmade 300sn would be a good choice considering you already like their knives and the Axis Lock.

CRKT Ripple is an awesome knife if you can get used to the strong detent.

Kershaw Skyline is ALWAYS a good choice. Amazing knife especially at its price point. You could even pick up an Orange or Brown/Black one from Kershaw Guy for not much more than a regular one. Heck, you could pick up both.

Kershaw Knockout is thin, a frame lock, assisted and a 3.25in. blade. The Kershaw Leek is right at 3in.

Buck Vantage Pro may be a good choice too.

Just check em all out and decide what you like best.
 
Can anyone give me a size comparison on the Southard and a Mini-Grip? I know they're different classes as far as size, but I would really like to see them side by side. Or a Native5 or Sage and a Southard, since they're about the same size as a Mini-Grip.

I really like the looks of the Southard, and I've coveted Brad's Customs for a while. I have reservations about a knife much larger than a 3" blade however, since it's what I'm used to and I have small hands. I wish the ZT0566 had scales more like the 0561 rather than the flat 0550-esque slabs I've seen.

I just can't get on with a leek. I just can't carry a knife I don't care to look at. A Cryo would be a top budget pick, and a Skyline may be doable if I could lay hands on one before I bought it.
 
If you wait a bit after the 0566 comes out there will be custom scales being made by several of the big names im sure then you can get a nice textured scale on it
 
The Hogue EX02 3.375" works very well for me, next to the BM300SN. Have the skull crusher for boot too.
 
I would get the cryo and get a feel for that style of knife, if I recall correctly I think someone also makes scales for the cryo if that interests you. Cryo II is suppose to be out soon I think which has a slightly larger blade than the ZT 0566. But if your willing to sport a 3.5in blade there is the ZT 0550.
 
I would get an inexpensive first flipper and if you like it, wait for the Spyderco Domino. Looks awesome, blade length just over 3 inches, and will be selling for right around two bills.
 
I had never heard of the Domino, (EDIT: Since it has a blade over 3.5", and it's actually wider than the Southard, I don't think I could get on with it), it or the Southard would be my first Spyderco as well as my first flipper. Right now there are two groups:

The Budget group of Kershaw Cryo and Skyline, along with the Ripple and Eros for a bit more.

The Premium group of the Southard and ZT0566.
 
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cm_bushman said:
Since it has a blade over 3.5", and it's actually wider than the Southard, I don't think I could get on with it
Click to expand...

The Domino may well not be for you, but I think you saw the dimensions for the prototype. Knifecenter has the blade length of the production version listed at 3.13". Definitely appears to be smaller overall than the Southard, though I'm not sure how the handle width or thickness will compare between the two.
 
I'm a Skyline junkie so I definitely recommend it! I have a hard time saying it isn't the best knife for the money you can get.
 
cm_bushman said:
Can anyone give me a size comparison on the Southard and a Mini-Grip? I know they're different classes as far as size, but I would really like to see them side by side. Or a Native5 or Sage and a Southard, since they're about the same size as a Mini-Grip.

I really like the looks of the Southard, and I've coveted Brad's Customs for a while. I have reservations about a knife much larger than a 3" blade however, since it's what I'm used to and I have small hands. I wish the ZT0566 had scales more like the 0561 rather than the flat 0550-esque slabs I've seen.

I just can't get on with a leek. I just can't carry a knife I don't care to look at. A Cryo would be a top budget pick, and a Skyline may be doable if I could lay hands on one before I bought it.
Click to expand...

Here you go, I so threw in a skyline as well as a para2 and a small sebenza for comparison sake. Overall, the Southard is about the same size as a para2, but with more cutting edge and a slimmer, more pocketable profile.

Please excuse the crappy cell phone pic...
20130603_154313_zps96b05be1.jpg
 
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