Help finding a flipper knife!

M

MihajloS

Joined
Apr 22, 2021
Messages
17
So I've been looking for a new assisted folding knife and I have some particular parameters for it.

I plan on using this for EDC, Filleting fish, and skinning game.

1. A narrow profile, kinda like the CRKT CEO, doesn't have to be that narrow but you get the idea.
2. Doesn't break the bank. No more than $100, but if it's a little more I'll be interested.
3. Has to be 8CR13 or better. If it's a better steel I'd put it above the other parameters. Edge retention is a big one for me.

The few knives I'm deciding on:
CRKT LCK+, CRKT STYLUS,

Thanks!!
 
Hi MihajloS,
Is the assisted part a must? If not, here are some pretty good alternatives.
Also...folders and blood & guts don't mix very well as it tends to gunk up internal parts VERY quick (speaking from experience lol, I killed alot of fish here in CT)...especially in an assisted folder which has more moving parts.

Try the Civivi Chronic/Exarch in D2 or 9Cr18Mov, which is a good step up from 8Cr believe it or not. D2 is not entirely stainless but is not bad to take care of.

WE Miscreant series, if you can find it cheaper, would be a great alternative as it's got severe milling and a framelock that can be cleaned easily and not impacted as much by B&G.

The new Civivi Imperium (and the Perf or other new models) come in Nitro-V which is both tough and stainless. Civivi/WE knives are super smooth, you'd forget you want an assisted knife.

Maybe a ZT357? Assisted, slim, cheap (I've seen them on sale for about 120$). Not really the profile you're looking for but it's a great piece.
EDIT: on the note of ZTs, you can try my first knife lol, the Kershaw Blur in 14C28N, which is a good all around stainless. That knife is assisted and carry very well, open back design for better cleaning. Again, I want to stress that I dont recommend using assisted knives for B&G, nothing rusts a blade/parts quicker.

Some other ones fit your bill, such as boker urban trappers, kwaikans, Buck Decatur, kizer feist, cjrb ria, feldspar, etc.

I'll update this post if I think of more, I'm sure guys and gals here will have more recommendations. I'd focus on getting a folder that has an easy to clean nature and rust resistant/proof steel.

I personally use a fixed blade, I have a few rust proof folders I use as backup that I've gutted stuff with, such as the Carribbean and QuietCarry Waypoint, but they blow your budget up. I used to own a Pacific salt 2 in H1, but I think it's a pretty terrible steel and the LC200N is much better. That knife however, is the antithesis of assisted as it's a slow deployment, slow closing knife.

Hope this helps and have fun shopping!
 
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The CRKT IBI is a folding bird & trout knife. It's quite small though, and I don't know how ambitious you intend to get with your game processing.
 
Plan and simple. You should use a fixed blade for those chores. A folder is not the right tool for those jobs.

Rich K.
 
Try the kershaw Al-Mar knives or the new Al-Mar knives made in China. Not great but they're okay. The design is good but the better versions are more expensive and harder to find since they're no longer produced.
 
rustyspike said:
Plan and simple. You should use a fixed blade for those chores. A folder is not the right tool for those jobs.

Rich K.
Click to expand...
I actually use folders pretty regularily for filleting fish, even cheap ones without issue. I've skinned and gutted deer with folders as well without issue. I haven't really experienced it ever gunking up.
 
Dergyll said:
Hi MihajloS,
Is the assisted part a must? If not, here are some pretty good alternatives.
Also...folders and blood & guts don't mix very well as it tends to gunk up internal parts VERY quick (speaking from experience lol, I killed alot of fish here in CT)...especially in an assisted folder which has more moving parts.

Try the Civivi Chronic/Exarch in D2 or 9Cr18Mov, which is a good step up from 8Cr believe it or not. D2 is not entirely stainless but is not bad to take care of.

WE Miscreant series, if you can find it cheaper, would be a great alternative as it's got severe milling and a framelock that can be cleaned easily and not impacted as much by B&G.

The new Civivi Imperium (and the Perf or other new models) come in Nitro-V which is both tough and stainless. Civivi/WE knives are super smooth, you'd forget you want an assisted knife.

Maybe a ZT357? Assisted, slim, cheap (I've seen them on sale for about 120$). Not really the profile you're looking for but it's a great piece.
EDIT: on the note of ZTs, you can try my first knife lol, the Kershaw Blur in 14C28N, which is a good all around stainless. That knife is assisted and carry very well, open back design for better cleaning. Again, I want to stress that I dont recommend using assisted knives for B&G, nothing rusts a blade/parts quicker.

Some other ones fit your bill, such as boker urban trappers, kwaikans, Buck Decatur, kizer feist, cjrb ria, feldspar, etc.

I'll update this post if I think of more, I'm sure guys and gals here will have more recommendations. I'd focus on getting a folder that has an easy to clean nature and rust resistant/proof steel.

I personally use a fixed blade, I have a few rust proof folders I use as backup that I've gutted stuff with, such as the Carribbean and QuietCarry Waypoint, but they blow your budget up. I used to own a Pacific salt 2 in H1, but I think it's a pretty terrible steel and the LC200N is much better. That knife however, is the antithesis of assisted as it's a slow deployment, slow closing knife.

Hope this helps and have fun shopping!
Click to expand...
I've decided on the Civivi Exarch! I've heard lots of good things about Civivi and $80 for a D2 folder is just hard to turn down. Especially from a reputable company. Thanks a bunch! Was never too much of a fan of front folders but the exarch wears it well.
 
For the record, that Civivi is a front flipper not a normal "back" flipper. The opening of a front flipper is a little bit .. odd .. to me. It's an awkward motion to open. YMMV.

Since you are well under budget, I would suggest adding a Mora Companion to your order. A thin 4" blade of stainless steel would make a nice fillet knife/backup for under $20.

For the record, I was going to suggest a Ruike P801 in 14C28 for $30 + a Mora Companion (SS) $18 to cover your needs.
 
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My folder experience is limited but I got a Spyderco Tenacious and it's a really nice knife without the Spydie prices.
But I go along with other posters saying a fixed blade. I'm looking at an Esee 3 and 4 right now.
 
MihajloS said:
I've decided on the Civivi Exarch! I've heard lots of good things about Civivi and $80 for a D2 folder is just hard to turn down. Especially from a reputable company. Thanks a bunch! Was never too much of a fan of front folders but the exarch wears it well.
Click to expand...
I have the Carbon Fiber/Damascus Exarch, and its a very nice knife. Enjoy it!
 
Kershaw Leek CF....
Assisted, slim, within your price range and it comes with some really good steel, cpm-154.

edit; just saw you already chose a Civivi. Good choice I have a couple and they are very good knives. Plus once you go bearings you’ll never want to go back lol
 
gazz98 said:
For the record, that Civivi is a front flipper not a normal "back" flipper. The opening of a front flipper is a little bit .. odd .. to me. It's an awkward motion to open. YMMV.

Since you are well under budget, I would suggest adding a Mora Companion to your order. A thin 4" blade of stainless steel would make a nice fillet knife/backup for under $20.

For the record, I was going to suggest a Ruike P801 in 14C28 for $30 + a Mora Companion (SS) $18 to cover your needs.
Click to expand...
I actually already have a Mora. I use my mora and a rapala fillet knife for processing deer. Moras are great knives. Only thing is the edge retention. I hate having to sharpen my knife after cutting around basically every joint, plus skinning deer (if you're not using it for a shoulder mount and getting a bit careless) can dull up your knife pretty quick too.
 
OrangeBlueOrangeBlue said:
Get an EDC knife and a cheap fillet knife. You don't want fish or animal guts on your EDC knife.
Click to expand...
You shouldn't even be touching the guts when filleting a fish. I'm pretty diligent when it comes to maintaining tools. Especially since the ones I use most heavily are 1075 or 5160.
 
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