Favorite flipper under 500$

[hhmoore]

I've been looking, as well. I've placed an "order" with Olamic for a 247 configuration...just a matter of waiting for the run to happen. I'm hoping that scratches the itch, and plan on selling a few that I haven't been carrying when I get it. I've also been looking at the Steelcraft Bodegas...I was set to purchase, then started thinking it might be a shade larger than I want; and I'm not interested in purchasing it to sit & look pretty. I've been contemplating a specific CKF model; if the Hoback OSF (not the custom) wasn't blacked out, I'd be all over it. I like the Hinderer MP1; but I have an XM18. Curtiss?
I don't NEED another knife, and that knowledge has been helping me avoid spontaneous purchases...but I'm okay with reshaping the makeup of my current group (one in, a couple out), with the idea of ending up with fewer knives that I like more. The problem is I have some that I don't care to release, which makes such a restructuring more difficult.

 

[miso2]

I am not sure what quality you are mostly concerned, but Southard Tolk is a sturdy flipper with a good action.

 

[Ironbut]

I only own two flippers. A ZT 0562 & a 0801, but the 0562 is my favorite.

 

[ChazzyP]

How is the action on the 247? 1-10?

I'd have to scratch my head too much to rate the 247's action 1 to 10, so I'll do it descriptively and comparatively.

The 247 came to me with a very stiff detent that broke in quite quickly to a comfortable sweet spot, making it a snappy flipper that doesn't require any excess pressure to fire. By comparison, my ZT0452's detent was so strong when new that it almost required two hands to flip open and the break-in period was prolonged and painful. The latter opens like the proverbial rocket, though, and the Olamic is very close to it. My Hinderers have soft detents--I can shake out my two XMs with my MP1 a bit stiffer--and I like those knives but they require the proper technique to flip correctly. My ball-bearing Shiros--F95T, F3, 111--needed no break-in and are foolproof, easy flippers. I guess they would be my 10's for opening, with the Olamic 247 and ZT 0452 just a notch down. I would note that the 247's detent is stiff enough that the opening hole in the blade only works for me with an awkward two-finger pinch, but that could have more to do with my thick thumbs and arthritic hands.

For closing, the Shiros are again 10's, with my Turtle's blade closing under its own weight and my F3 requiring a light shake. The Hinderers are surprisingly just behind on their Teflon washers, my XM24 closing under its own weight and my XM18 and MP1 light-shake closers. The Hinderer detent ball/blade tang catch is kinda late, though, and can be a problem. I have a bit of trouble closing my ZT0452 with it's stiff lockbar flush with the show side cut-out while also watching out for the ball/tang interface.

The nice thing about closing the Olamic is that there is a ramp cut into blade tang so the detent ball doesn't* have to overcome a shoulder and there's no hang-up or catch there once the lockbar is disengaged. There is enough lockbar tension in the 247, however, that the blade will not shake closed. In fairness, though, I have not had the knife apart, changed or augmented the lube, nor tried to adjust the pivot tension, so closing could possibly become freer. It is very smooth as is, though, and will index finger flick closed.

Hope all that helps a bit.

Edit: I know the Shiros are out of the price range you cited, unless you got extremely lucky on the Exchange. I've only mentioned them for comparison's sake, as they are my 10s.

*Late edit to correct typo.

 

[Victorian Squid]

Hey everyone since i missed blade show this year I'm treating myself to a new knife. I am looking for a american made, titanium frame lock flipper around 300-499$. I would prefer it to come with steel lock insert and possibly a milled clip. So far ive been looking at the microtech sigil, some used midtechs, ferrum forge stuff. Lemmi know what you guys would recommend or are looking at. All input is much appreciated. cheers!

The Olamic Swish looks really good, and possibly an improvement mechanically. The problem with Olamic however is it's not entirely US made, parts come from Fox and they customize/assemble here. One I'm eyeing hard (and 100% US) is the Koenig Arius. He was showing a milled version at Blade, however the regular scales are very nice, and you can get different configurations keeping it just under $500. The last version of the ZT 0392bk can still be had at SMKW. It's awfully nice, and you'd still have $100 to customize if you want to blow your entire budget.

I'm blanking out on anything else in that range at the moment, by all means go over to USAmadeblade.com and check his custom anodized Hinderer and ZT's, also check JDCutlery.com if you'd like something unique.

Oh yeah! Check the new Southern Grind Penguin! You'll see that at USAmade...

 

[Victorian Squid]

I like Michael Zieba's customs. They are within your budget and meet your specs.

Good call, the double tap is sweet and can certainly be found right around $500 as well.

 

[Owen K.]

e

I'd have to scratch my head too much to rate the 247's action 1 to 10, so I'll do it descriptively and comparatively.

The 247 came to me with a very stiff detent that broke in quite quickly to a comfortable sweet spot, making it a snappy flipper that doesn't require any excess pressure to fire. By comparison, my ZT0452's detent was so strong when new that it almost required two hands to flip open and the break-in period was prolonged and painful. The latter opens like the proverbial rocket, though, and the Olamic is very close to it. My Hinderers have soft detents--I can shake out my two XMs with my MP1 a bit stiffer--and I like those knives but they require the proper technique to flip correctly. My ball-bearing Shiros--F95T, F3, 111--needed no break-in and are foolproof, easy flippers. I guess they would be my 10's for opening, with the Olamic 247 and ZT 0452 just a notch down. I would note that the 247's detent is stiff enough that the opening hole in the blade only works for me with an awkward two-finger pinch, but that could have more to do with my thick thumbs and arthritic hands.

For closing, the Shiros are again 10's, with my Turtle's blade closing under its own weight and my F3 requiring a light shake. The Hinderers are surprisingly just behind on their Teflon washers, my XM24 closing under its own weight and my XM18 and MP1 light-shake closers. The Hinderer detent ball/blade tang catch is kinda late, though, and can be a problem. I have a bit of trouble closing my ZT0452 with it's stiff lockbar flush with the show side cut-out while also watching out for the ball/tang interface.

The nice thing about closing the Olamic is that there is a ramp cut into blade tang so the detent ball does have to overcome a shoulder and there's no hang-up or catch there once the lockbar is disengaged. There is enough lockbar tension in the 247, however, that the blade will not shake closed. In fairness, though, I have not had the knife apart, changed or augmented the lube, nor tried to adjust the pivot tension, so closing could possibly become freer. It is very smooth as is, though, and will index finger flick closed.

Hope all that helps a bit.

Edit: I know the Shiros are out of the price range you cited, unless you got extremely lucky on the Exchange. I've only mentioned them for comparison's sake, as they are my 10s.

Very cool, at the moment I am leaning towards the Olamic mostly because i found one with a gold orange timascus clip and Timascus is freaking sexy. As for the Shiros I would love to get my hands on one eventually, but for now im sticking to the 500$ budget.

 

[nemesis]

Hinderer XM18 is all I have carried since the day I got one over three years ago. They are all I own as far as folders go and all I foresee owning.

 

[Owen K.]

Hinderer XM18 is all I have carried since the day I got one over three years ago. They are all I own as far as folders go and all I foresee owning.

Hinderers are cool. However i don't know if ill ever buy one because of the weird detents and teflon washers. I just feel that when i buy a 450$ flipper it should flip flawlessly.

 

[halflife78]

Freeman 451 at this time.

 

[Sonnydaze]

I just hate that grind.

Me, too. Never too sure just why they need a compound grind... I'm sure some folks love 'em, and that's good.

 

[KELAMA]

After this weekend... ZT0055 and it isn't even remotely close.

^ A picture would be nice.

I recommend the Olamic 247. It's one of the best flippers made in this price range, head and shoulders above anything else from ZT. You can get a plain 247 within your budget or spend a few more $ and get something truly unique to your design wishes.

You can't go wrong with a ZT flipper. Although they're no longer the best at their price point, they're still solid knives from a great company.

Have fun! This is a great time to look for a ~$400 Ti framelock flipper because there are some really great offerings out there.

^ "Head and shoulder's above anything else from ZT" < With all due respect, your statement gave me one of those, "WTH" moments.

I purchased a new Wayfarer 247 a short while back, from Russian Knives. As much as I wanted to like this knife; in my opinion, it felt considerably inferior next the 2 ZT 0392 L.E. flipper's I own.

The fit and finish between the 2 models are very comparable, along with the choice of blade steel's, and they were all in the same price range...but as far as I was concerned, the quality comparisons stopped right there. In the hand (where it matter's the most), the Wayfarer felt kind of like a toy, compared to my 0392's.

The Wayfarer was the fastest "catch and release" knife I've purchased to date; just not my cup of tea.

My favorite flipper under $500: Zero Tolerance 0392 L.E..

 

[nemesis]

Hinderers are cool. However i don't know if ill ever buy one because of the weird detents and teflon washers. I just feel that when i buy a 450$ flipper it should flip flawlessly.

All of mine do but to each his own.

 

[hhmoore]

I purchased a new Wayfarer 247...In the hand (where it matter's the most), the Wayfarer felt kind of like a toy...The Wayfarer was the fastest "catch and release" knife I've purchased to date; just not my cup of tea.

That's disappointing - I've been looking forward to mine, to the point of not purchasing other knives that appeal to me because I want to make sure I have the funds available when they're ready to build it.

All of mine do but to each his own.

Mine flips fine as well, and it is one with a soft detent. There is more technique involved with flipping it than a knife with a stiffer detent; but I like being able to use the thumb studs to open it.

 

[KELAMA]

That's disappointing - I've been looking forward to mine, to the point of not purchasing other knives that appeal to me because I want to make sure I have the funds available when they're ready to build it.

This just happens to be my own personal opinion. FWIW: I don't let anybody else's opinions influence me on what knives I like, or don't like. You may very well end up really liking the 247 (like so many other's here do) . I just happen to prefer bigger, beefier folder's.

The only reason I even bothered to comment, was because I felt that Hackenslash's comment (regarding Wayfarer 247 flippers being head and shoulders above ZT's), was way over the top.

Like everything in life, it all boils down to personal preference. I happen to also like, really thin, healthy, athletic women...and Ford trucks.

Thankfully, not everyone who shares this hobby likes the same knives, or has the same opinions. If we all did, the supply and demand factor would make many folder's, cost prohibitive.

 

[K.O.D.]

Of everything I've owned, the Brian Tighe mini Tighe Rod custom flipped the best. I sold it, it was just a tad small. Those run $525 if you can find one. I plan to get the medium size someday.

Next would my Matt Bailey model 2 flipper geek edition. It takes time to break in, as it runs on PB washers. It takes a little time to learn the action, as it's a combination light switch and push button.

After that, the ZT 0095. Flips better than any of the ZT's I previously owned. Very close, almost tied, is the Brous Bionic first generation.

 

[sharp_edge]

If I had five bills to spare right now, I would buy a ZT 0920 and a ZT 0801TI.

 

[SpySmasher]

Next would my Matt Bailey model 2 flipper geek edition. It takes time to break in, as it runs on PB washers. It takes a little time to learn the action, as it's a combination light switch and push button.

He's doing bearings now.

 

[K.O.D.]

He's doing bearings now.

Good to know. I wonder if he could modify mine?

 

[hhmoore]

I don't let anybody else's opinions influence me on what knives I like, or don't like.

If I like a knife, I like it; if I don't, I don't... but when I don't have it in hand, and somebody that tends to like similar knives makes a comment like it feels like a toy, it's worth considering. Especially if the knife was quickly dumped as a result.
Other people's likes? If that mattered, I'd have 4 CRKs instead of 4 0550s (well, one is an 0551)
I've had some minor reservations about the 247, most of which I hope will be resolved by getting it the way I want it... but, ultimately, it's how it feels in hand that will make or break it for me.

I just happen to prefer bigger, beefier folder's.

As do I... but a 3.5 inch blade is sort of a sweet spot, for me. I think I'd love the Steelcraft Bodega; but the specs have me thinking it might be a shade too large (I still love my 0200, but can't quite feel the Military)

I happen to also like, really thin, healthy, athletic women.

Personal preference is all well and good... but sometimes the heart makes that decision for us.

I'll ignore the Ford thing, lol