Flipper, 3" or less, 3 oz or less, under $100?

TripleB67

TripleB67

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Jan 28, 2016
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I'm really loving my Kershaw Cryo...especially the flipper opening - first knife I've ever had with this feature and considering my fingernails are too short open the Case type knives I used to carry, the flipper opening is a God send.

I've ordered three other knives (Pazoda II, Rat II, Robin II) and while I'm waiting on them to arrive I've started looking at the knives in the $60 to $100 range just to see what the extra $40 to $85 gets you in terms of features and quality.

In order to help me narrow that search, does anyone know of a folding EDC pocket knife that fits all of these criteria:
- Flipper and would prefer no thumbstuds, just flipper open
- Blade of 3" or less
- 3 ounces or lighter (Kryo feels just a bit heavy when carrying on my khaki pants)
- $100 or less
- and preferably Deep Pocket Carry

Again, it will be a while until I'm ready for this type of knife, and once my other three knives come I may change my mind about my preferences in a knife, but I'd still like to take a look at what's out there right now.

Thanks for any and all input.

TripleB67
 
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Kershaw Ember and Kershaw Amplitude come to mind.
The RJ Tactical has everything but deep carry clip.

Leek or Scallion in the higher end, no deep carry, but can get one on the aftermarket.
 
Buck Vantage Pro Small! USA made. 2.625" blade, flipper, S30V blade :thumbup:, 2.3 oz , $60ish or less
 
Small Buck Avid or Pro are nice non assisted options you may like.

The Kershaw Skyline (no deep carry clip) and Böker+ Urban Trapper (deep carry) are both larger then 3" but carry extremely well and extremely light. Aftermarket clips available for Skyline also.
 
Some of the upcoming 2016 Kershaws seem to check all your boxes, albeit a little lower in price than you were looking for. Take a look at:

The Kershaw Intellect (Flipper, Assisted, 3" Blade, 3.7oz, Deep Carry) http://www.bladehq.com/item--Kershaw-Intellect-Assisted-Opening--34427
The Kershaw Valmara (Flipper, Assisted, 3.1" Blade, 3.8oz, Deep Carry) http://www.bladehq.com/item--Kershaw-Valmara-Assisted-Opening--34465
The Kershaw Pico (Flipper, Assisted, 2.9" Blade, 3.7oz, Deep Carry) http://kershaw.kaiusaltd.com/knives/knife/pico
The Kershaw Cathode (Flipper, Assisted, 2.25" Blade, 2.7oz) http://www.bladehq.com/item--Kershaw-Cathode-Assisted-Opening--34425
The Kershaw Spoke (Flipper, Assisted, 2" Blade, 2.8oz, Deep Carry) http://www.bladehq.com/item--Kershaw-Spoke-Assisted-Opening--34462

Honestly, I'd advise you forgo the flipper assisted open and check out a Benchmade Mini Griptilian. 2.91" blade, 2.56oz, less than 100 clams and you can open by hole, stud or axis lock (depending on version).
 
Are Kershaw and Buck the main (and best) two manufacturers of flipper open knives?

TripleB67
 
I wouldn't say they're the best but Kershaw by far has the most flipper offerings under $100 of any manufacturer that comes to mind.

Best is a relative term. Relative to price they're both pretty good and have good warranties as well. The Vantage Select tends to have some issues...I''d recommend the Pro version...still under $100...if you're liking that pattern.
 
Ok, sorry, but I'm going to make a suggestion without thinking about price. Mainly because you sound like you've gotten the bug, and really want to find your favorite action and blade shapes.

So, you like the Cryo, and maybe want to continue with assisted because they are both easy and cool. But might I suggest a flipper (or other), with very smooth ball bearing pivots (or washer based models that are known for being just as smooth). Many open just as fast and positive, but you don't have to deal with spring pressure when closing. So many great models available. Many Higher priced, but some of my faves are..... Zt's (most models released in the last couple years). Spyders, Domino, pm2, positron, waved Delica,endurance/matriarch, Htm Snap, Benchmade/HK, most recently ordered a Kizer KI3452 (simply amazing action in a smaller package) and others.

Next, maybe try a model with multiple methods to open. Such as flipper/Spydie hole and or functional thumb stud. Or auto with manual option. Or Wave hook and disk....etc. Models that come to mind are Spyder Domino, PM2, Kershaw Emersons, etc.
 
not a flipper but check out benchmade 530. lightest, slimmest folder I've bought. the axis lock acts as a sort of gravity knife style. Just as quick and fun as a flipper.
 
Thanks for all the input so far. A lot of great knives suggested and I'm taking a close look at each one of them. I appreciate you all thinking outside the parameters I mentioned - it's given me a lot to think about. My preference on opening method may change once I get in the 3 knives I mentioned above, but right now really loving the flipper method.

The Kershaw Camber seems to be a good fit except for the fact that it's 3.8 ounces (basically the same weight as my Cryo) and it isn't deep pocket. The Kershaw Leek may be a better fit at only 3 ounces, but again, no deep pocket carry and it has thumbstuds (which on my Cryo just seem to be something that isn't needed on a flipper).

Again, I appreciate all the advice so far!

TripleB67
 
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The knife I own that would fit the bill is the ZT 450. I have a bunch of flippers, but this little gem fires harder than anything else I've fondled!! Great blade shape and it's extremely sexy!
Little over budget, but if your looking for a super cool flipper, this is it!
I also have a Boker Urban Trapper and a Ti Kwaiken. Cool knives within your budget, but neither are even close to the 450!!
Good luck!
Joe
 
The Kershaw Chill checks off the most of your boxes:

- Flipper and would prefer no thumbstuds, just flipper open
Manual flipper, no thumb studs, no SpeedSafe assist spring to break
- Blade of 3" or less
Just a hair over 3" (3.1")
- 3 ounces or lighter (Kryo feels just a bit heavy when carrying on my khaki pants)
2 oz.
- $100 or less
$30 - $35, and best of all, it's available at most big sporting goods stores (Dick's, Academy, etc.)
- and preferably Deep Pocket Carry
Not deep pocket carry, but it doesn't leave a whole lot of real estate hanging above you pocket. It's a quality clip design

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It's one of the best-looking budget Kershaw's in the line, in my opinion (RJ Martin design) next to the Emerson collaborations.
 
Hackenslash said:
Honestly, I'd advise you forgo the flipper assisted open and check out a Benchmade Mini Griptilian. 2.91" blade, 2.56oz, less than 100 clams and you can open by hole, stud or axis lock (depending on version).
Click to expand...
You should take a hard look at this one. ^^^^ lmho it is THE best suggestion within your parameters. [emoji41]
 
SOG Flashback Mini fits your criteria well... It's about $70, 3 1/2 inch blade, fairly light, and carries very deep. Very nice knife. It does have thumbstuds, but the opening is swift and smooth. The only negative I have is that is has a unique locking design that requires a stud on the scale of the knife to be swung to unlock/close the blade. This action will tear up your fingernail for the first couple carries, but you get used to it. Hope this helped!
 
The Kizer Vanguard series has various liner lock flippers with VG-10/G-10 under $100 with 3" or less blade and 3 ounces or less.
 
RamZar said:
The Kizer Vanguard series has various liner lock flippers with VG-10/G-10 under $100 with 3" or less blade and 3 ounces or less.
Click to expand...


This is a great suggestion. The Kizer Bad Dog, Dukes and Flashbang all fit your requirements to a "T" and are great knives for the money. I don't have a Bad Dog, but I prefer the Dukes over the Flashbang. The Anso pattern in the G10 lends a nice grip and there's no recurve to the blade. They come in well below your $100 target also.
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