Curtiss F3 Flipper

RamZar

RamZar

Gold Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2013
Messages
11,618
I was finally able to score a Curtiss F3 in BNIB condition. It's the 2013 production series with Bohler N690 (RC60) steel blade that's 0.156" thick and titanium handles that are 0.160" thick (also titanium frame lock)! Mine comes with a 3.5" blade and the real nice diamond texture frame finish and grooved titanium backspacer. It should be here next week. I've heard nothing but great things about the robustness of this folder plus the smooth and snappy IKBS flipper action.

How do you like yours?


f3-large-diamond-1.jpg

f3-large-diamond-2.jpg

f3-large-diamond-3.jpg
 
Great score!! I myself have not yet been able to acquire one, missed three yesterday here on the Forum. They go for way to much on e-pay so I guess I will just have to get lucky one of these days.. I have heard nothing but great reviews on these knives here and on YouTube. I am sure you will be very happy with it.. Share some real life pic when you get it in your hands. :thumbup:
 
mikepapa1 said:
Great score!! I myself have not yet been able to acquire one, missed three yesterday here on the Forum. They go for way to much on e-pay so I guess I will just have to get lucky one of these days.. I have heard nothing but great reviews on these knives here and on YouTube. I am sure you will be very happy with it.. Share some real life pic when you get it in your hands. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Thanks. Will post pictures once I get it.

Curtiss Knives does not seem to have much of a presence here but does elsewhere including his Facebook page and you can sign up for his newsletter.
 
RamZar, you must have one of the best flipper collections on BF :thumbup: I'm excited to see what you think once you get it in hand.
 
bpeezer said:
RamZar, you must have one of the best flipper collections on BF :thumbup: I'm excited to see what you think once you get it in hand.
Click to expand...

Thanks. It'll go up against my Wilson Combat Eagle which is already superb. It'll be interesting to see how the F3 matches up against the Eagle. Certainly differences and similarities.

It's the age of great flippers. For places where autos are illegal they're the next best thing. So many really good or great manual flippers now!
 
Do you have a preference for pushing in or pulling back on the flipper? If so, does that make a difference on which flippers are the best?
 
bpeezer said:
Do you have a preference for pushing in or pulling back on the flipper? If so, does that make a difference on which flippers are the best?
Click to expand...

Makes no difference anymore. Even jimping, angle or protrusion don't make much of a difference. It all depends on whether it snaps to attention assuredly and reliable with the blade position down, horizontal or up. Some fail in the up position because the detent doesn't generate enough force to overcome the weight of the blade.

I know you're a big fan / advocate of flippers so what's your response to your own questions?
 
RamZar said:
Makes no difference anymore. Even jimping, angle or protrusion don't make much of a difference. It all depends on whether it snaps to attention assuredly and reliable with the blade position down, horizontal or up. Some fail in the up position because the detent doesn't generate enough force to overcome the weight of the blade.

I know you're a big fan / advocate of flippers so what's your response to your own questions?
Click to expand...

I used to be 100% for pushing in, but I have learned to appreciate both styles. With poor detents, I still usually rely on the push in to build up a natural detent with my finger. However, the more flippers I get, the less it matters :) I do feel that the geometry of the flipper plays as big a role as the smoothness of the pivot.

On a side note, thanks to your recommendation on my previous thread I picked up a mini matrix. I'll probably be following in your footsteps for a while, since you have most of the great production flippers ;)
 
I like the texture on the handles thought it was G10 at first let us know how it feels when you get it.

I only own one flipper (ZT561) what do you mean by pulling back on the flipper?
 
bpeezer said:
I used to be 100% for pushing in, but I have learned to appreciate both styles. With poor detents, I still usually rely on the push in to build up a natural detent with my finger. However, the more flippers I get, the less it matters :) I do feel that the geometry of the flipper plays as big a role as the smoothness of the pivot.

On a side note, thanks to your recommendation on my previous thread I picked up a mini matrix. I'll probably be following in your footsteps for a while, since you have most of the great production flippers ;)
Click to expand...

A good flipper gives you results regardless of how it gets you there.

That MicroTech Mini Matrix is the one I carry most often simply due to being in L.A. and its 3" blade length limit. No faults although it could be a little smoother! How do you like yours?
 
RamZar said:
Thanks. Will post pictures once I get it.

Curtiss Knives does not seem to have much of a presence here but does elsewhere including his Facebook page and you can sign up for his newsletter.
Click to expand...
Some consider there are reasons for that. If you search the topic, you can find out why.
 
RevDevil said:
Some consider there are reasons for that. If you search the topic, you can find out why.
Click to expand...

I didn't find anything substantive unless it's that "design theft" argument which I personally don't give much credence to.
 
Awesom blade man, mines coming in on wednesday cant wait!
Was the F3 series already in production before 2013 or did Curtiss just start with the F3's this year?
 
After an exhaustive conversation alleviating my concern at design copying, i have become VERY interested in Curtis knives myself. I think i'm more interested in his Cruze XL than i am in the F3, but i am not sure yet. The one below is BEAUTIFUL, and i love the 4" blade length
cruze-xl-mokuti-1.jpg


and this one is even better

curtis-cruzeano.jpg

curtis-cruze-clipano.jpg
 
RamZar said:
A good flipper gives you results regardless of how it gets you there.

That MicroTech Mini Matrix is the one I carry most often simply due to being in L.A. and its 3" blade length limit. No faults although it could be a little smoother! How do you like yours?
Click to expand...

I wasn't impressed at first, but it's breaking in more than any other knife I've ever had. The more I flip it, the better it gets :D
 
I am patiently waiting for the order books to reopen so I can grab his F3 4"
 
bpeezer said:
I wasn't impressed at first, but it's breaking in more than any other knife I've ever had. The more I flip it, the better it gets :D
Click to expand...

Yes, it keeps getting better. I received mine on August 31st so even for me it has only been a few weeks. Thankfully, I mentioned the breaking in to you on Sep. 3rd post:

RamZar said:
I've only had the MicroTech Mini Matrix for a week now. The action is not as snappy as ZT 0801 or Spyderco Domino but it opens every time. It still needs more breaking in and constantly gets better. Always wanted a 3" exact flipper and now I have it. It's very compact unlike the Domino. The aluminum handle has great texture. Mine is an all-black and looks great. My only issue with MicroTech is their stupid triangular screws. MT Mini Matrix is about $265.
Click to expand...
 
RamZar said:
Yes, it keeps getting better. I received mine on August 31st so even for me it has only been a few weeks. Thankfully, I mentioned the breaking in to you on Sep. 3rd post:
Click to expand...

If you wouldn't have mentioned that, I probably would've sent the knife back :eek: Sorry for getting so off topic though, I'm sure the F3 will somehow find its way into your pocket quite frequently. You picked a real beauty :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top