Blasphemy! OMG!

K.O.D.

K.O.D.

Sell your cloak buy a sword
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Aug 21, 2013
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14,794
Like Judas Priest, "I'm breaking the law!"

My laws. I've decided to get a Ti flipper. Despite my dislike for metal handles and framelocks, I'm buying one anyway. There are just so few g10 flipper's in good steel.

I'm particularly interested in the Kiser Velox 2. From looks, it like a sebenza flipper. I love the disappearing flipper. Reviews please.

I also like the ZT 0450cf and 0808. Does the 0808 flip like the 0801? It was my fave until my kizer.

No southard or domino recommendations please. Hated the southard.

Blade length limit 3.5"

Under $200

Not a big fan of black blades. Will make exceptions for the right knife.

Carbon fiber scale a plus.

Premium steel, but no s30v.

Thanks,

K.O.D.
 
I don't think you can go wrong with the Kizer, but there's also the Spyderco Mantra (or Mantra 2) in CPM-M4.

Or, for a little over your budget (about $220) the Spyderco Advocate should be coming out soon. It's designed after Gayle Bradley's first flipper and also has M4.
 
I've heard good things about the Viper Vox Kyomi. Should be within budget.
 
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Have you handled one yet?
I have played with both versions of the Roach, & there are some things about the Ti version I didn't like.
I haven't touched a velox, but this looks to be similar in those regards.

The S35VN was a good upgrade, though.
 
mtangent said:
Have you handled one yet?
I have played with both versions of the Roach, & there are some things about the Ti version I didn't like.
I haven't touched a velox, but this looks to be similar in those regards.

The S35VN was a good upgrade, though.
Click to expand...
What didn't you like?

Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk
 
The Ti version was a really sluggish flipper. IMO this was due to excess pressure from a stiff lockbar.
There is also no cut out on the scale side, so access to the lockbar when unlocking is minimal, resulting in discomfort to the thumbpad.
Looking at pics, I think both those points may apply to the velox 2.

The pass around is still going, you can read revues here http://www.australianbladeforums.com/vb4/kizer-knives/29805-kizer-knife-reviews.html
The 2 knives were called "silver" & "black" for easy distinction.
 
Why no Domino recommendations? It's worlds better the Southard imo. I was never a fan of the Southard either.
 
It's over my price threshold, and for $220 it should have real carbon fibre.

Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk
 
You already know ZT does Ti flippers right. I've never had an 0808 but I have heard good things about the action. The 0801 is one of the best flippers out there, and the 0808 seems to have a similar snappy action.
 
K.O.D. said:
It's over my price threshold, and for $220 it should have real carbon fibre.

Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I see, yeah its pricey. But, can be found for $204 at many online stores. It does have real carbon fiber, it is just laminated with G10. Its price is also higher then some due to its engineering(very high end fit and finish(Taichung factory makes the best Spydercos), nice little touches like hardened steel washers for the bearings to ride on, titanium liner on scale side, hardened steel lock face insert, etc.).

Spyderco-Domino-07.JPG


But, if it's not your thing, it's not your thing:thumbup:
 
I thinking hard about the mantra, and waiting for the advocate. My how knife prices have gone up. Its been a year since I bought one. In Oct 2013 I bought my Gayle Bradley for $145. Summer of 14 the 0801 for $165. Luckily the8 townhome I'm renting next month $500 less per month, my car insurance will go down $1000 a year when the divorce is final. More knives for me!


Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk
 
The Mantra is pretty sweet too. Here it is next to the Domino for comparison.

24132274030_8974f5f2ca_z.jpg


24345425121_bb19c2cfd5_z.jpg


It is another awesome Taichung knife with many of the same features as the Domino.
 
I have a Kizer Velox 2 and can recommend it highly. Due to the "low profile" flipper tab, it has a distinctive flipping action, kind of more push button than light switch, but it flips really well. The Ti slabs fill the hand well and I think it offers a little better ergos than the Kizer Gemini. The Kizer Gemini became the darling of the knife world last year, but I have a feeling if the Velox 2 would have been released first, it would have taken the title. It largely got overlooked due to the cosmetic similarities to the Gemini. I have about 20 different Kizers and the Velox 2 is probably my favorite, you can't go wrong with it. Kizer offers a lot of Ti Framelock Flippers and most are really excellent, although I've run into "weakish" detents on some of their older models.

The ZT0808 is a great knife and I enjoy mine a lot. To me it feels like a very different knife from the 0801, although both are great knives. The only thing I'd change about it is the slab back spacer...it seems to add a lot of un-needed weight and bulk. MXG Gear makes some custom barrel spacers that you can add aftermarket that I've considered. I really like the blade shape on the 0808...not sure if you'd call it reverse tanto or modified Wharnie, but it's surprisingly effective for EDC tasks. You can score a custom, anodized 0808 for no extra cost from USA Made Blade. ZT has a lot of other choices too and I hear a lot of good things about their new 2016 models, but I don't own any of them. I love my 0450 with a custom CF scale, but it sounds like you're looking for a little bigger knife.

I can't speak for the newer Spyderco flippers like the Nirvana or the Mantras because I don't own any, but the older flippers like the Southard, Domino, Dice and Positron just don't flip as well as many other options. I've yet to find a Spyderco Flipper that I consider a great flipper. I think they're disadvantaged due to the leaf shaped blades having less inertial weight at the distal portion of the blade. Great knives but not great flippers.

I honestly think that one of the best, economical options for a Ti Framelock Flipper has to be the Reate Hills. When you can find them at a close-out price they're one of the best bargains in the knife industry. You have to get over the odd, humpback whale blade spine shape, but in all ways they're a superlative flipper with fit an finish on par or better than ZT's or Taichung Spydies.

Good luck and welcome to the Dark Side!
 
Oh, I've had plenty of Ti flippers. But the extreme cold we get here in Chicago turned me off to them, as having a heavy, frozen piece of metal in my pocket or ungloved hands really bothered me. I also lived in an apartment back then, and by the time I got to my car (very long walk) the cold metal against my leg was really annoying.

I'm moving into a townhome now, attached garage, and so don't have to worry about freezing leg syndrome as much. If I feel the need to hit the outdoors, I'll just take one of my non-metal handled folders, like the PM2 or Manix 2 (ironwood scales).

This has opened me to a lot of options, even if Ti is not my favorite.

I prefer flippers and Spydie holes due to arthritis.

Here are the flippers I've own/sold/traded:

Spyderco Southard
Brous Bionic (still have)
ZT 0801 (Absolutely loved the flipping action and ergos, but the blade was too thick and obtuse for my uses)
ZT 0561 (Slightly too big for me, poor detent and thus did not fire like it should)
ZT 0350TS (Too wide, don't like assisted knives)
ZT 0770CF (Would have been great if it flipped de-assisted)
Brian Tighe Tighe Rod mini (Fun, but too pretty to use, and a little too small)
Kizer Ki 423 (Still have, love it)
Kizer, two of the first gens. (couldn't deal with tip-down only clip and average flipping action)
Kershaws, Leek and Chive. (Didn't like the assist)


I know there are more, but between liver disease and no coffee my brain ain't functioning.
 
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