Front Flippers - pictures and discussion

Mo2 said:
thats gonna cost alot. but its got a huge anticipation, i really am interested in it. Nick Shabazz is at fault for that lol.
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Go ahead and blame Nick if it makes it easier :) As long as it "brings you joy" the story ends well.
 
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josh yu said:
thanks for sharing! these all run on washers right? looking forward to see the burger table at NYCKS, hopefully he has some EXKs for sale
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What he refers to as "Base" models are on PB washers. As soon as it is fancy (more fancy than CF and damascus in the photo above), he uses bearings.
 
Otto Carpenter said:
The Olamic Busker is due out next month - a small front flipper that reportedly has six(!) other methods of deployment. I can't envision seven ways to open a knife, but I'm looking forward to finding out what they are.
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nice! Does anyone know the ballpark street price for theses?

just from the pictures, I can think of 8:

1. two handed using the hole/nick
2. middle finger flick
3. thumb flick
4. one handed slow thumb open
5. index finger with front flipper tab (first method in my GIF)
6. thumb flip with front flipper tab (second method in GIF)
7. side of index finger (third method in GIF)
8. gravity knife test (the last one is dark humor... nyc residents will understand)

*links fixed
 
josh yu said:
nice! Does anyone know the ballpark street price for theses?

just from the pictures, I can think of 8:

1. two handed using the hole/nick
2. middle finger flick
3. thumb flick
4. one handed slow thumb open
5. index finger with front flipper tab (first method in my GIF)
6. thumb flip with front flipper tab (second method in GIF)
7. side of index finger (third method in GIF)
8. gravity knife test (the last one is dark humor... nyc residents will understand)

*links fixed
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You could Spyderdrop it too. Most index finger flips can be middle finger flipped too.

Those NY cops would have a field day if they knew how many knives can be spyder dropped open. Almost any knife can already be gravity shaken open as is. Basically if you have a folding knife and the NY officer knows how to do it, he can make any folder a "gravity knife"
 
josh yu said:
nice! Does anyone know the ballpark street price for theses?

just from the pictures, I can think of 8:

1. two handed using the hole/nick
2. middle finger flick
3. thumb flick
4. one handed slow thumb open
5. index finger with front flipper tab (first method in my GIF)
6. thumb flip with front flipper tab (second method in GIF)
7. side of index finger (third method in GIF)
8. gravity knife test (the last one is dark humor... nyc residents will understand)

*links fixed
Click to expand...
That's probably the list. I was thinking maybe the old "Spydie Drop" like on a PM2, also. Price hasn't been posted but my guess is they'll be $400+
 
Otto Carpenter said:
That's probably the list. I was thinking maybe the old "Spydie Drop" like on a PM2, also. Price hasn't been posted but my guess is they'll be $400+
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great... just expensive enough for me to say no initially, but continue to be tempted by it for an extended period, then finally cave and buy it. worst price bracket ever
 
josh yu said:
great... just expensive enough for me to say no initially, but continue to be tempted by it for an extended period, then finally cave and buy it. worst price bracket ever
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I hear ya' - expensive but not crazy enough to walk away from. You could wait for one to get posted on the exchange, but if you're not online at the time it gets posted it'll probably get snapped up before you get a chance to buy it yourself. Think positive - they may go for more than $500, in which case you can just laugh knowingly and walk away.
 
lieferung said:
How is it tuned up? I have a 1st edition Feist and while thumb opening works for me, the detent doesn't seem to allow for index finger opening. Either that or my hands are a lot weaker than I thought :D
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My Feist came gritty and with bladeplay and uncentred. I opened the knife up to discover a bunch of metal flash left over from grinding in the pivot and track the stop pin rides in. I sanded down all the flash away and closed the knife tightened down the pivot and put a little purple locktite on it. Now it flips like a dream and runs perfectly.

I can't actually flip my Exskelibur either, only thumb roll it open more slowly.
 
I have owned or handled several front flippers. I personally love a good front flipper when done correctly and I hope they start to become more popular here in the US. They are generally streamline, classy, and a lot of fun. Below are the rankings of the ones that I have handled and some of my thoughts on each of them...

1.) Clyde Challenor RT Damasteel Hornet - Absolutely amazing knife. Top notch fit and finish, incredible action, and nearly perfect in every way. Clyde uses two forms of jimping on the spine... a very fine and grippy jimping to flip it open and a larger jimping for the thumb ramp (great attention to detail). His latest work is on a whole new level from his earlier pieces.
2.) Burger EXK CF (base) - Awesome EDC with snappy action and excellent fit and finish... It is a little plain on the design side but a very capable front flipper. Overall a good value for the money and a classy little EDC. I intend on trying Trevor's Ti frame lock version one day.
3.) Kizer Feist - Excellent value. Every Kizer I have handled has impressed me as far as bang for your buck goes. Mine was slightly gritty but the flipping action was excellent. No bladeplay or lockup issues. I am curious to see how they address the pivot and bearing assembly issues. My biggest complaint about the Feist and most Kizers for that matter is the finish they use on the Ti. It looks and feels cheap to me. If they would use a stonewashed or sand blasted finish it would bring their knives to a whole new level IMO.
4.) Boker Exskeliber - Very disappointed in this one. The action was mediocre at best and there were several fit and finish issues. The blade centering on these is hit or miss, occasional lock stick, and a cheap feeling in the hand. It was flippable but not smooth or very fun. I've also seen the lockbars on these move close to 95-100% very quickly. I think most people who are new to front flippers start with this model and I think it leaves a bad taste in their mouths which prevents them from trying a higher end front flipper.
 
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A few other front flippers. Photos taken by me except the one of Herucus' knife as I dont have a photo currently doing his work justice.

Below knives are from Des Horn, Andre Thorburn, John Arnold and Trevor Burger respectfully.

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gusnuts said:
I have owned or handled several front flippers. I personally love a good front flipper when done correctly and I hope they start to become more popular here in the US. They are generally streamline, classy, and a lot of fun. Below are the rankings of the ones that I have handled and some of my thoughts on each of them...

1.) Clyde Challenor RT Damasteel Hornet - Absolutely amazing knife. Top notch fit and finish, incredible action, and nearly perfect in every way. Clyde uses two forms of jimping on the spine... a very fine and grippy jimping to flip it open and a larger jimping for the thumb ramp (great attention to detail). His latest work is on a whole new level from his earlier pieces.
2.) Burger EXK CF (base) - Awesome EDC with snappy action and excellent fit and finish... It is a little plain on the design side but a very capable front flipper. Overall a good value for the money and a classy little EDC. I intend on trying Trevor's Ti frame lock version one day.
3.) Kizer Feist - Excellent value. Every Kizer I have handled has impressed me as far as bang for your buck goes. Mine was slightly gritty but the flipping action was excellent. No bladeplay or lockup issues. I am curious to see how they address the pivot and bearing assembly issues. My biggest complaint about the Feist and most Kizers for that matter is the finish they use on the Ti. It looks and feels cheap to me. If they would use a stonewashed or sand blasted finish it would bring their knives to a whole new level IMO.
4.) Boker Exskeliber - Very disappointed in this one. The action was mediocre at best and there were several fit and finish issues. The blade centering on these is hit or miss, occasional lock stick, and a cheap feeling in the hand. It was flippable but not smooth or very fun. I've also seen the lockbars on these move close to 95-100% very quickly. I think most people who are new to front flippers start with this model and I think it leaves a bad taste in their mouths which prevents them from trying a higher end front flipper.
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Great info!
Yeah, Exskelibuer is a bummer, when you get a bad one. I bought two, and one of them was nearly perfect. Otherwise, I would have given up with it.
When it is done well, it could be a great light EDC knife for many......
 
josh yu said:
front flippers have slowly become my favorite folding knife configuration, and while i know i'm not part of the majority, i know there are others out there.

So why not a thread for pictures and discussion of front flippers

here's a little list of all custom, mid-tech, and production front flippers i've heard of. feel free to add on to the list! Also, for those of you who have handled multiple front flippers, which is your favorite? why? any general discussion welcome!

boker (a2, exkelibur, lancer)
boos blades (smoke)
kizer (feist)
real steel (g3 pukko)
Olamic (busker)

Trevor Burger
Garth Bull
Andre Thorburn
John Arnold
Charl Pienaar
Michael Zieba
Clyde Challenor
Kosie Steenkamp
Jason Guthrie
JD Van Deventer
Anthony Griffin
Des Horn
Clyde Challenor
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The busker is available now?
 
I definitely see where people are coming from when criticizing the Boker Exskelibur. Particularly the liner lock versions I had handled were often riddled with issues.

On the other hand the frame lock ones I have seen have been pretty good. I got lucky and got a full Ti framelock version that has had no problems. It really is a beautiful lightweight knife with a thin blade when its done right. It makes me wonder how amazing the Burger version must be.

Does anyone know what Skellern contributed to the Exskelibur? The few Skellern customs I have seen look very similar to the Burgers. That is why I thought Bester knives making designs that looked like the Burger ones was not an issue.
 
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