Front Flipper for EDC?

vbjoe7

vbjoe7

Joined
May 3, 2015
Messages
142
I'm probably late to the party on this but I just discovered front flippers and love the easy and unique deployment especially without having a pocket-pecker like traditional flippers. There don't seem to be too many of them around - all I've really seen so far are the Kizer Feist, Gareth Bull Miura and Shamwari. Curious to hear overall impressions of front flippers as an EDC and any good examples out there. I think the Miura (3") may be my new grail knife.
 
There are a lot more than that out now. It's starting to be a bit of a "thing." :)

I have an "older" Shamwari and it's one of my favorite knives.
 
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Apparently Justin Lundquist (designer of the Feist) is about to reveal a new front flipper on Instagram. Reveal should be Wednesday.
 
This is the first I've really heard of one so just went and looked at the Feist. Pretty cool idea/concept but I believe it would take some real getting used to for me after years of carrying either a folder with a flipper,thumbstud or hole.

I for one have never been bothered by "pocket-peckers" (I still feel weird typing that, lol)
 
vbjoe7 said:
I'm probably late to the party on this but I just discovered front flippers and love the easy and unique deployment especially without having a pocket-pecker like traditional flippers. There don't seem to be too many of them around - all I've really seen so far are the Kizer Feist, Gareth Bull Miura and Shamwari. Curious to hear overall impressions of front flippers as an EDC and any good examples out there. I think the Miura (3") may be my new grail knife.
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Try the full Ti framelock version of the Boker Exskelibur I. (The exskelibur 2 is not a front flipper) I have one and am very impressed with the knife. (Normally I don’t like boker) Make sure to get the full Ti version because the framelock with the CF front scale seems to have centering issues.

The screws are soft and thread directly into the titanium so I don’t recommend it as a knife to take apart. All I did is move the clip to tip up carry and have never disassembled the knife. However it is an amazing thin slicy knife. One of the best slicing pocket knives I have ever seen.

If you can accept that it is a knife that you don’t have to take apart then it is an excellent thin edc Ti framelock and a beautiful knife. Even without ever oiling mine it is incredibly smooth and a free dropper.

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The other choice is the Kizer Feist. Another great knife. This one can be disassembled but is a pain in the butt to reassemble. Make sure you get one of the updated version because their initial release had issues.
 
Good tip on Lundquist - I'll have to follow him on Instagram now, it seems like the place to be for knifemakers... It would be great to have more options and definitely more mid-techs on front flippers as it's mostly custom stuff out of South Africa that has it currently.
 
That Ekskelibur 1 is tempting - a bit big for my tastes (why did they skip the front-flip on the 2?!) - but it is really sexy. I think a Feist may be in my future - any tips on how to know if it's the updated version?
 
Cscotttsss said:
This is the first I've really heard of one so just went and looked at the Feist. Pretty cool idea/concept but I believe it would take some real getting used to for me after years of carrying either a folder with a flipper,thumbstud or hole.

I for one have never been bothered by "pocket-peckers" (I still feel weird typing that, lol)
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LOL - I definitely didn't come up with it...
 
vbjoe7 said:
That Ekskelibur 1 is tempting - a bit big for my tastes (why did they skip the front-flip on the 2?!) - but it is really sexy. I think a Feist may be in my future - any tips on how to know if it's the updated version?
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I will say that the exskelibur I framelock is an amazing knife to edc. Even if 3.5 seems abit long for you this knife weighs absolutely nothing. Look at it here next to a large sebenza 21. The scales are contoured so they are not weak despite being so thin. Honestly this knife constantly kicks way more expensive ones out of my pocket.
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The Feist is a great knife. Buy from a reputed dealer and ask them if they have the updated feist. That is the best way to know.
 
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Thanks Mo2 - not sure how I missed that thread - looks like I've got some more knives to start saving for!
 
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vbjoe7 said:
I'm probably late to the party on this but I just discovered front flippers and love the easy and unique deployment especially without having a pocket-pecker like traditional flippers. There don't seem to be too many of them around - all I've really seen so far are the Kizer Feist, Gareth Bull Miura and Shamwari. Curious to hear overall impressions of front flippers as an EDC and any good examples out there. I think the Miura (3") may be my new grail knife.
Click to expand...
Michael Zieba, Real Steel has a new one about to make it's debut and they have the Pukko. Berger custom knives

Michael Zieba

IMG_4963_opt.jpg

Burger
images




If you really want to see a huge collection go to Google and type in "front flipper knives" and go to images. If you see one that you like click on it.
By the way DO NOT get any knives that have proprietary screws. I had to drive over 300 miles today because of a pivot that was stuck on a knife that I was going to ship. I still for the life of me understand how a knifemaker selling knives at $500 plus can give you a knife that you can't open because nobody but him have the tool.
 
Cscotttsss said:
This is the first I've really heard of one so just went and looked at the Feist. Pretty cool idea/concept but I believe it would take some real getting used to for me after years of carrying either a folder with a flipper,thumbstud or hole.

I for one have never been bothered by "pocket-peckers" (I still feel weird typing that, lol)
Click to expand...
I would be careful with the feist (QC issues), if you do a quick search, you'll be able to find that even the designer of the knife did not like what kizer did with it. Kizer will fix this eventually, and I'd like to believe them. But for me, until I see a feist 2 (or II), I can't recommend it
 
emjay4248 said:
Michael Zieba, Real Steel has a new one about to make it's debut and they have the Pukko. Berger custom knives

Michael Zieba

IMG_4963_opt.jpg

Burger
images




If you really want to see a huge collection go to Google and type in "front flipper knives" and go to images. If you see one that you like click on it.
By the way DO NOT get any knives that have proprietary screws. I had to drive over 300 miles today because of a pivot that was stuck on a knife that I was going to ship. I still for the life of me understand how a knifemaker selling knives at $500 plus can give you a knife that you can't open because nobody but him have the tool.
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Those customs do not come cheap. Not sure I’m ready to drop $600 on a pocket knife, but I’m sure that’ll change in time.

Sorry to hear about your trip, those are some expensive screws!
 
Mr.SATism said:
I would be careful with the feist (QC issues), if you do a quick search, you'll be able to find that even the designer of the knife did not like what kizer did with it. Kizer will fix this eventually, and I'd like to believe them. But for me, until I see a feist 2 (or II), I can't recommend it
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I know there are a lot of mixed feelings about this issue. While it would be better not to have the issue in the first place, it seems like Kizer is trying to do the right thing and will make sure you’re taken care of if you get a bad one. Not ideal but if it’s a knife you like (I’m also considering it strongly) I think it’s worth the risk of having to send the knife back for replacement, just can’t insist on instant gratification with this one.
 
Mr.SATism said:
I would be careful with the feist (QC issues), if you do a quick search, you'll be able to find that even the designer of the knife did not like what kizer did with it. Kizer will fix this eventually, and I'd like to believe them. But for me, until I see a feist 2 (or II), I can't recommend it
Click to expand...

vbjoe7 said:
I know there are a lot of mixed feelings about this issue. While it would be better not to have the issue in the first place, it seems like Kizer is trying to do the right thing and will make sure you’re taken care of if you get a bad one. Not ideal but if it’s a knife you like (I’m also considering it strongly) I think it’s worth the risk of having to send the knife back for replacement, just can’t insist on instant gratification with this one.
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Kizer already rolled out the fixes. The main issue was with machining inside the handle scales, the issue was corrected by cleaning them out. Get the Feist it's a great little knife.
 
lieferung said:
Kizer already rolled out the fixes. The main issue was with machining inside the handle scales, the issue was corrected by cleaning them out. Get the Feist it's a great little knife.
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Really wanted to see the name changed to Feist 2 (grumble grumble). But seriously, since kizer fixed the issue, even the creator of the design can recommend the knife now! From the reviews that I have seen (mainly of the old version) do not complain about the s35vn blade itself
 
I'm not a flipper guy and I've tried a few front flippers at stores, not for me. I'll stick to thumbstuds or Spyderco type hole.
 
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