Front Flipper Fans?

K

Kevin Mogee

Joined
Aug 18, 2020
Messages
18
Just bought my first front flipper, and after watching so many videos of people struggling with opening them, I was worried if I would have the dexterity needed to open it. I got the Blade Center exclusive Real Steel Metamorph with black blade and black G-10 scales. It's got Sandvik 14C28N steel, which I don't think it's the best steel around, but I like the look of the all black. It's taken a little practice, but I can get it to flip open with a snap about 9 out of every 10 times. I like the way it feels in the hand, and it's really slicey. It's pretty thin, and with a deep carry clip, it practically disappears in the pocket.

Does anyone have any front flippers they really like? I'm thinking about a Peńa, but they seem a little out of my price range. Any other suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!
 
Bought one to try - no problem opening it that way; but didn't care for it. I'm not a fidget flipper, though.
The knife itself (bhq exclusive cf feist) is decent, though. The only modification I would have made is a small cutout to improve access to the liner lock; but I decided to leave it stock because I'm not keeping it
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The Sandvik steel in the Metamorph is no slouch, especially at that price point. Great knife!

I like my Kizer Feist a lot, and as front flippers go it's on the relatively inexpensive end (though still more than the Metamorph). I have large hands and there was definitely a learning curve for the Feist (but a fun one). They came out with a liner lock version after I bought mine; those look quite nice as well.

I've heard good things about the CIVIVI McKenna, but have always felt like my Feist and Metamorph have me pretty well covered in this department.

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I have the Isham Bladeworks Abstruse. I love it, a bit small but completely manageable. Don't have any photos of it because it's on loan for Youtube review. I have the carbon version, there is also a Ti one.
 
I like front flippers very much, but sadly there are almost none that are easily available and fairly priced.
Now that Metamorph looks like discontinued, or at least no store that is from or ships to my country has them, you can try Ruike P671. To be honest it is not the best. Heavy for the size, too wide handle and too short that makes your small finger not have any place to land and just hangs awkwardly. Ugly carbon fiber sticker and bead blast finish and very strong linerlock pressure. Doesn't affect opening, but makes closing very stiff.
So not exactly something I would recommend, but if you want a front flipper, I don't think there is anything else that doesn't cost a fortune.
 
I've got two, the MBK EWC and the Spyderco Smock, but both open with a relatively normal flipper technique rather than the "Bic lighter" technique a lot of front flippers use. They're both a lot of fun.
 
ArchVV said:
I've grown to like them. I was just eyeballing the little Reate Bushido that's been showing up at dealers.

I currently have these -
L1nUeLr.jpg

(CKF Fif20 and Microtech Anax with a few customs)
Click to expand...
That's quite a line-up and a serious flex on your part. Nicely done. I'm assuming the second from the left is the Microtech Anax? That's really sweet looking knife.
 
I really dislike top flippers, so it took me some time to try a front flipper. I just love them . I find them very easy(natural) to open while top flippers I was always fumbling to get correct finger position.
I just received a Pena bolster lock Mula (micarta scales)today and I am very pleased with it
also have a Burger LEXK and Shamwari linerlock that are excellent. I have been carrying the Shamwari exclusively for over a year, so it may take a little doing to transfer to the Pena.
 
I like front flippers , been making them for a while now ,
it has to be tuned properly or it will be nightmare to open , nobody spends time tuning cheaper knives so I do believe horror stories.
If everything done right front flippers just as good as regular flippers , just with cleaner look.
i-mTXrkcN-XL.jpg

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ExtremAddiction said:
I like front flippers , been making them for a while now ,
it has to be tuned properly or it will be nightmare to open , nobody spends time tuning cheaper knives so I do believe horror stories.
If everything done right front flippers just as good as regular flippers , just with cleaner look.
i-mTXrkcN-XL.jpg

.
i-wb88vts-L.jpg

.
i-W5xTnFc-L.jpg
Click to expand...
Wow, wow, wow. They are all beautiful, but that middle one in the top picture looks damn near perfect. Beautiful work.
 
ArchVV said:
I've grown to like them. I was just eyeballing the little Reate Bushido that's been showing up at dealers.

I currently have these -
L1nUeLr.jpg

(CKF Fif20 and Microtech Anax with a few customs)
Click to expand...
I've also been eyeing the Reate Bushido. It may be the best looking front flipper I've ever seen. The thing that makes me most interested is that it has a similar flipper style like my Damned Designs Oni which is the easiest and snappiest front flipper I have ever handled.

I like the Oni so much I pre-ordered the Djinn that's going to be releasing in January 2021. It's only a 2" blade which may turn some people off but it really makes it more of a unique front flipper. The Damned Designs Oni and Djinn are basically the same knife but the Oni is a tanto blade and the Djinn will be a drop point blade.

Update: The Bushido is on its way lol. I got a 10% discount offer and couldn't pass it up.
 
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Omnius said:
I like front flippers very much, but sadly there are almost none that are easily available and fairly priced.
Now that Metamorph looks like discontinued, or at least no store that is from or ships to my country has them, you can try Ruike P671. To be honest it is not the best. Heavy for the size, too wide handle and too short that makes your small finger not have any place to land and just hangs awkwardly. Ugly carbon fiber sticker and bead blast finish and very strong linerlock pressure. Doesn't affect opening, but makes closing very stiff.
So not exactly something I would recommend, but if you want a front flipper, I don't think there is anything else that doesn't cost a fortune.
Click to expand...
The Damned Designs Oni is very reasonably priced starting at $40 for G-10/D2 with a CF/S35VN available for $80. You can also preorder the Djinn for 25% off so it's $30 for the G-10/D2 or they have a titanium/S35VN for $75. There are multiple colors for each too but keep in mind it's only a 2" blade with a 3" handle so that may be small for you.
 
Random Dan said:
The Civivi Exarch is a very nice front flipper that's not too expensive.
Click to expand...

I love mine. I bought my first front flipper years ago at the annual St. Louis Knife Show. It was a nice carbon fiber custom made by a South African whose name I have forgotten. It was only $150, man, I should have kept it. I think I may buy a Civivi McKenna to go with my Exarch.
 
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