Best ambi EDC assisted flipper for my dad that won't break the bank

H

HotDiggity

Joined
Jan 25, 2013
Messages
37
I'd like to get a good EDC knife for my dad. I have knives in my collection of all varieties and I think an assisted flipper would be the best for his aging hands. He is semi ambidextrous but mostly a lefty. A liner / frame or backlock should all work for him. Should be light, probably no more than 3.25 in blade. US, Taiwan, or Japanese- made is okay; probably no Chinese though. Modern designs preferred. Deep carry also preferred. Under, say, $85.

Opinions appreciated.
 
I'm probably as old as your dad. I like the BM 585 mini-Barrage with assisted opening. Not a flipper, but you barely push the thumb stud and the blade shoots out. And it has a safety slide on the back so you can lock it into open or closed position. Slightly less than 3" blade and really fun to play with.
 
The Kershaw Cryo sounds like a good choice, but it's a little heavy by most standards. (although I find it just fine)
 
Locutus D'Borg said:
I'm probably as old as your dad. I like the BM 585 mini-Barrage with assisted opening. Not a flipper, but you barely push the thumb stud and the blade shoots out. And it has a safety slide on the back so you can lock it into open or closed position. Slightly less than 3" blade and really fun to play with.
Click to expand...

A barrage would be nice or a kershaw blur...
 
Kershaw Brawler is pretty good and only around $25-$30, if you like a Tanto blade.
 
The BM 585 looks nice, but is a bit over the budget and isn't low-ride. I've had a Kershaw Cryo and it is too small / slick. And fails the US / Taiwan / Japan requirement. Same with the Brawler. Keep the thoughts coming, guys! :)
 
I say s30v Blur or a ZT 350 Blem Kershawguy has them on sale for 85$ right now or 55 for a s30v Blur blem. My dad is in his late 70s and modern knife locks baffle the crap out of him any thing past a slip joint or lock back gets him confused. IMHO a Lock back Spyderco would be your best option. Easy to open with the Spyder Hole and easy to close using the lock back. A delica 4 or a Manix 2 with the ball lock thingy comes to mind and both very lefty friendly.
 
Blur=No low ride clip. ZT 0350=No low ride cip and hevy (I have both of those in my own collection, by the way, and love/hate them both).

I think it's going to be a Kerhshaw Knockout. Light, THIN, assisted flipper or studs. Done.

Thanks, guys.
 
I love Kershaws too. Was actually going to suggest the knockout. For really deep carry is's hard to beat the SOG Aegis or mini Aegis too.
 
Buck Vantage pro large S30v around $60 dollars 3 1/4 blade flipper. Super low ride ambi pocket clip. Buck Vantage pro small S30v 2 5/8 around $50 dollars. Made in the good ole USA.

I've got the large pro. Once you get used to it you'd swear it was assisted. Did I mention G-10 scales? SUPER impressed by the knife. Liner lock is easy to use.
 
blame it on god said:
Buck Vantage pro large S30v around $60 dollars 3 1/4 blade flipper. Super low ride ambi pocket clip. Buck Vantage pro small S30v 2 5/8 around $50 dollars. Made in the good ole USA.

I've got the large pro. Once you get used to it you'd swear it was assisted. Did I mention G-10 scales? SUPER impressed by the knife. Liner lock is easy to use.
Click to expand...

Funny you should mention the Vantage as I just took delivery of a Force Pro yesterday. It is growing on me but I was not immediately overly impressed. It's got nice, tight lockup, and a very nicely stonewashed blade, but the nylon washers do nothing for the smoothness of blade deployment. It's getting better and as I said it's growing on me. Could be a contender. For the steel they use, it's certainly a solid value. Did I mention the strange construction? I was surprised to find additional hardware under the scales.
 
Additional hardware under the scales? So very curious, I shall now take mine apart. What do you mean additional hardware?

It does have nicer scales than mine does. I just looked it up on knifeCenter.


EDIT: nope, nothing extra. But I did find that the regular vantage pro has brass/bronze washers. Which I'm going to polish along with everything else that has to do with the blade opening. This thing should be like butter when I'm done.
 
Last edited:
blame it on god said:
Additional hardware under the scales? So very curious, I shall now take mine apart. What do you mean additional hardware?


EDIT: nope, nothing extra. But I did find that the regular vantage pro has brass/bronze washers. Which I'm going to polish along with everything else that has to do with the blade opening. This thing should be like butter when I'm done.
Click to expand...

I mean that the scales on the Force Pro do not tie the entire knife together. Removing the scales reveals additional bolts that tie in to the back spacer. Really weird.

I'm hearing some Force Pro owners claiming bronze washers and others claiming Nylotron. Mine has the latter and I find that somewhat disappointing although I have no basis for that sentiment. It's not terribly smooth but does seem to be getting better.
 
BM griptilian...drop point 551...553 Tanto for more wicked look. AXIS lock...feel so good the hand:

IMG_0735_zps648c557e.jpg


I've seen some Orange Handle once selling for $89....you can find them around $85.

It's a Benchmade!
 
Oh, you wanted A/O...the grip fires hard and fast, you think it is assisted...how bout the Barrage?
IMG_0573-1_zpsaa7fe33c.jpg
 
HotDiggity said:
I mean that the scales on the Force Pro do not tie the entire knife together. Removing the scales reveals additional bolts that tie in to the back spacer. Really weird.

I'm hearing some Force Pro owners claiming bronze washers and others claiming Nylotron. Mine has the latter and I find that somewhat disappointing although I have no basis for that sentiment. It's not terribly smooth but does seem to be getting better.
Click to expand...

Oh, okay then the regular vantage is assembled the same way. And I did polish all of the "working" surfaces of mine. Along with putting a dab of moly based metal to metal grease on them. ZERO blade play and I can flick the thing out as fast as any of my higher end flippers. Do it perfectly and you'd swear you pushed the flipper on a ZT0350!

Maybe contact Buck and see if you can get replacement washers. Not that nylatron is bad, But it WILL wear out quicker.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top