Favorite Front Flippers?

[marthinus]

Des Horn Imvubu
Trevor Burger EXK and LEXK
Andre Thirburn model 45.

 

[MSchott]

The thumb stud works in any orientation.

The Civivi Imperium has a front flipper identical to your knife, and was the basis of my observations. Thumb flipping is nearly impossible, over the top flipping works but requires a tentative hold on the knife. This knife has been tuned for very light action.

I’m not sure your context. I’m not comparing a front flipper tab to a thumb stud. It’s a personal decision. But on my SBD thumb flipping is not difficult. The Civivi may have a different action.

 

[Another Shepherd]

Man, that's the perfect "non-threatening" knife. How does it hold an edge, compared to, say, K390 or Cruwear? It's a really interesting knife.

Having dislocated my right thumb playing basketball and a "rub some dirt on it" type doctor who said it would reset itself (I'd pulled on it enough to get it almost set), I have a lot of trouble with thumbstkud openers. The Spydie-hole works for me in knives like the Endura and PM2 where it stands prouid, so even though I'm carrying a Spydie I like flippers.

My flipper carry knife when I'm not wearing cargo pants is a boring Ken Onion Leek. I'd sure like one in a tougher steel, the knife design is outstanding if you don't mind linerlocks.

This is the "Kizer Cutlery Ki4562A5 Yue Cormorant Flipper Knife 3.23" S35VN Black PVD Clip Point Blade, Serape Series G10 Handles" at KnifeCenter for $135 but out of stock at the moment. Cormorants in other color schemes come in S90V, 20CV, and Elmax. Leeks also come in a wide variety of steels, including 14C28N, which is one of the toughest steels available and quite inexpensive.

It's really nice to have one or more knives that can be opened in a variety of ways depending on which of your digits happens to be out of commission at the moment. The Cormorant is very good in that regard--thumb, forefinger, and middle finger all work for me, but forefinger and middle finger are especially easy.

I think maybe that the reason that I cannot front flip the Cormorant is that for some reason, the front flipper just requires an awful lot more force than the regular flipper. Even if I hold the butt in my left hand, put all four fingers of my right hand on the back of the handle, and apply my right thumb to front flipper tab, I can only get it to flip open part way.

 

[POCEH KOCEB]

I have two Civivi front flippers as well, a McKenna and Exarch. They made me fall in love with front flippers. I also had a Viper Novis, but I gifted it.

I'm perfectly fine with front flippers and the knifes you've listed are very nice. Most of them are well built specimens,
and I'm not in any way against the front flipper system, or anybody's choice of any opening system.
I was only stating some facts about those, and if you think I'm wrong,
for the sake of the conversation - look at your Cheburkov model: why's the stud there if this was a front flipper ?

Oh, thanks for explaining the Spiderco "back" flipper...

 

[Lawilli2]

I like a front flipper, bit typically prefer to have at least one other deployment method option also. Bestech Bihai is so slick. AC Sirus paired with a CJRB Maileah is a good combo. Currently waiting on a Rosecraftblades Pocket Monster, think of a More Maileah with a great forward finger choil.

 

[Chronovore]

I feel like the Latt Vind Mini came in right before the current front flipper craze.

Yes, it has a rear flipper too but it's unusual and a little awkward for me to press. So I treat it as if it only had a front flipper.

It's a cool little knife and probably deserves more pocket time than I give it. Sometimes, I feel like I have too many knives competing for pocket time. #firstworldproblems

 

[SkyStream]

I just received the Civivi Sokoke this past Monday and I'm pretty disappointed with the knife as a front flipper. I should have known better because I felt the same way about the Artisan Centauri, which was also designed by Ray Laconico. This will probably be the last front flipper that I buy without top jimping. It has great thumb stud action and drops shut, but the front flipper design doesn't work very good for me.

I've found that front flippers without top jimping don't work that good for me and also end up making my thumb sore. It's the reason why I sold my Kizer Feist, Artisan Centauri and Civivi Exarch. The Civivi McKenna was my first front flipper and still remains one of the best. I really wish Civivi or We would make one in carbon fiber and/or micarta with a black Damascus blade.

 

[Mike H765]

My other favorite front flipper.

 

[SkyStream]

I just received the Kizer Chili Pepper and Kizer Sqidward and they've instantly became two of my favorite front flippers. The Chili Pepper is really unique because it's one of the only button lock front flippers and the Squidward is really smooth and drop shutty. Both have jimping all the way up and on top of the front flipper which all front flippers should have in my opinion. Civivi has been my go to brand, but Kizer seems to be a step up for around the same price.

 

[SwissHeritageCo]

I feel like the Latt Vind Mini came in right before the current front flipper craze.

Yes, it has a rear flipper too but it's unusual and a little awkward for me to press. So I treat it as if it only had a front flipper.

It's a cool little knife and probably deserves more pocket time than I give it. Sometimes, I feel like I have too many knives competing for pocket time. #firstworldproblems

Do they make this without the inlay? You have excellent taste. I'm a less is more design fan myself, my next edc will probably be a feist xl.. just wish they had the richlite available because I'm not vibing with the micarta.

 

[Chronovore]

Do they make this without the inlay? You have excellent taste. I'm a less is more design fan myself, my next edc will probably be a feist xl.. just wish they had the richlite available because I'm not vibing with the micarta.

Thanks. I don't think they make the budget version without an inlay but with dealer exclusives, I can't be sure. They have a premium version in titanium with a different design flare but it's not my style (pictured below).

Coincidentally, I just finished the first round of mods on my Feist XL. There were a couple of crisp edges on the scales that benefited from a little rounding and I just went to my preferences from there. Overall, the action is quite good. Some people say the blade feels small for the handle and I get it, but that's just not an issue for me.

While the micarta on the Feist XL isn't pretty, I really dig the fuzzy soft texture. It adds both comfort and traction. Sometime in the next few days, I'm going to try my hand at dyeing it. I'm sure I'll post the results.

 

[SwissHeritageCo]

Thanks. I don't think they make the budget version without an inlay but with dealer exclusives, I can't be sure. They have a premium version in titanium with a different design flare but it's not my style (pictured below).

Coincidentally, I just finished the first round of mods on my Feist XL. There were a couple of crisp edges on the scales that benefited from a little rounding and I just went to my preferences from there. Overall, the action is quite good. Some people say the blade feels small for the handle and I get it, but that's just not an issue for me.

While the micarta on the Feist XL isn't pretty, I really dig the fuzzy soft texture. It adds both comfort and traction. Sometime in the next few days, I'm going to try my hand at dyeing it. I'm sure I'll post the results.

So a lot of people think the feist xl's blade is too small feeling for the handle? Because that was my one worry. Damn.

The search continues for a less is more style budget folder with around a 3.5 inch blade

 

[Chronovore]

So a lot of people think the feist xl's blade is too small feeling for the handle? Because that was my one worry. Damn.

The search continues for a less is more style budget folder with around a 3.5 inch blade

I'm generally not a stickler on the pocket efficiency of relative blade length. I don't have mine in front of me but it feels like there is about an inch more handle than there is blade. Still, I can't think of many situations where this isn't enough knife for my needs, at least where EDC folders are concerned. The full grip is actually great but again, I did a little rounding on my scales to maximize the hand feel.

BTW, I just looked it up. Different places give slightly different stats for the Feist XL but Blade HQ has the difference down to an inch: 3.38" blade and 4.38" handle.

Coincidentally, the Civivi Sokoke has a similar disparity (3.35" blade, 4.40" handle) but doesn't feel like it due to the handle and blade shapes. The action isn't quite as good as the Feist XL but it's up there on ease of operation. (Some front/top flippers can be awkward for my long arthritic fingers and both of these are easy.) I have a few nit-picks like the open clip recess and bead blast finish, but 14C28N remains one of my favorite budget steels.

 

[SwissHeritageCo]

I'm generally not a stickler on the pocket efficiency of relative blade length. I don't have mine in front of me but it feels like there is about an inch more handle than there is blade. Still, I can't think of many situations where this isn't enough knife for my needs, at least where EDC folders are concerned. The full grip is actually great but again, I did a little rounding on my scales to maximize the hand feel.

BTW, I just looked it up. Different places give slightly different stats for the Feist XL but Blade HQ has the difference down to an inch: 3.38" blade and 4.38" handle.

Coincidentally, the Civivi Sokoke has a similar disparity (3.35" blade, 4.40" handle) but doesn't feel like it due to the handle and blade shapes. The action isn't quite as good as the Feist XL but it's up there on ease of operation. (Some front/top flippers can be awkward for my long arthritic fingers and both of these are easy.) I have a few nit-picks like the open clip recess and bead blast finish, but 14C28N remains one of my favorite budget steels.

Great info and perspective, thank you. I too had been eyeing that Laconico civivi.

I also have long fingers and an arthritic thumb specifically lol, I prefer top flippers but the action on that xl feist seemed so loose that it wouldnt take much. Very curious to see how your dye job works on that natural micarta. If can't find a richlite it looks like I will end up with the natural micarta too. Not sure if I'll dye it but will definitely finish it to a higher grit.

Wish they would have taken that beautifully shaped xl feist blade just a bit longer but it still has beautiful lines.

Thanks again for weighing in

 

[Chronovore]

I also have long fingers and an arthritic thumb specifically lol, I prefer top flippers but the action on that xl feist seemed so loose that it wouldnt take much.

You are welcome. My Feist has truly "drop shut" action and locks open without issue. I can shake the blade out wth a little effort when closed but it doesn't seem unsafe. The operational ease on both of these knives has more to do with their overall shape and good tab geometry.

My arthritic thumb limits the Spyderco models in my EDC rotation. It's also why I don't own a Sebenza. The short, almost linear thumb flick on a lot of studs that are meant to be flicked is easy. Having to go too far out or around with that thumb adds up to a bad day.

 

[SkyStream]

You are welcome. My Feist has truly "drop shut" action and locks open without issue. I can shake the blade out wth a little effort when closed but it doesn't seem unsafe. The operational ease on both of these knives has more to do with their overall shape and good tab geometry.

My arthritic thumb limits the Spyderco models in my EDC rotation. It's also why I don't own a Sebenza. The short, almost linear thumb flick on a lot of studs that are meant to be flicked is easy. Having to go too far out or around with that thumb adds up to a bad day.

I used to really like the Feist, but the front flipper design is outdated in my opinion. It's still a nice knife, but Justin Lundquist moved to a different design on many of his front flippers, which is superior imo. I'm kind of glad I quit buying knives for a while because I would probably have a bunch of front flippers that I don't really like anymore. I just recently got two that I'm kind of disappointed with as far as the front flipper action and they are the Civivi Sokoke and Civivi Clavi. They are great knives overall, but I'm just not impressed with the action. At least the Sokoke has thumb studs, too, but I was hoping both knives would have better action.

 

[Jcsixx01]

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

 

[marchone]

You can’t eat peas with a knife!

I have a Trevor Burger flipper and a MBK Laconico EWC. Fidget toys both.

 

[Chronovore]

You can’t eat peas with a knife!

I have a Trevor Burger flipper and a MBK Laconico EWC. Fidget toys both.

I seem to recall debates about that from being a kid, but I think those all had to do with butter knives.

 

[Zuluninja]

Found this thread while searching for feedback on front flippers. It was a design that did not appeal to me and easily dismissed, but life had other plans.

Last year I lost half of my right index and middle finger. I'm still adjusting to it, but did scramble for a while, switching clips for leftie carry, and what could I get away with handling knives with the stubs. Thumb studs and holes are ok, but regular back flippers are still a pain, even with weaker detents.

I had been looking for a while at the Petrified Fish Viking, it being a front flipper the only reason I hadn't got it, until I said F it and got one. Turned out to be a real eye opener!

Now I can grip at the pivot area with the stubs, while the pinky and ring find a bit more grip with the clip, and the thumb ends in a natural position at the flipper. I can flick it out as easily as I used to do with regular flippers, and don't need to switch it to left carry.

Needless to say, now I am in the hunt for front flippers. Waiting on a Keizer Feist XL, a Kobold 2 that will be modified right away and an Artisan Sirius to keep practicing this method