High end flipper recommendations wanted

[Jumbi8]

I'm so new to this, my idea of an "ideal" knife is a moving goalpost at this point.
At the moment, perfect would be the Shirogorov Hation lite, but with a barely sub 3" blade to avoid any potential city ordinances which prohibit 3" and larger blades here in the SF Bay area.

 

[Jumbi8]

Hah, we were typing about barely sub 3" at the same time. Just looked at the videos for the Feist 2

I don't think I'm ready to expand into front flippers just yet, but will keep that one bookmarked.

 

[Jumbi8]

A mint Chris Reeve Inkosi w/micarta inlay arrived today. While it clearly is very well made, it just didn't speak to me, so I will list it in the for sale section here soon.

I actually liked the ZT 450 more than the Inkosi, knowing they are very different knives.

Maybe the Shiro Hation cf will be the grail...

And as far as sub 3" flippers, I'll have a look again at the Kershaw leeks with the better grade steels. I just sharpened my cheapy with the Spyderco Sharpmaker that arrived today, it is much improved. I did not know how to properly sharpen it before me thinks. I am a complete newby.

 

[Jumbi8]

Wow these bladeforum members do not mess around. I listed and sold the Inkosi in minutes. I'm eating the shipping, but I'm fine with that.

I've been playing with/modifying the ZT 450C. Now I really love it and am going to keep it. It had a bit of a too strong detent, so I slightly ramped the top part of the detent hole, and now it takes about 70% of the effort to open it. I can make it require less any time I want, but I'm erring on the side of safety. I also smoothed/chamfered the inside top edges a little so it is no longer sharp feeling. They hit the ball out of the park with this one.

 

[Makael]

Wow these bladeforum members do not mess around. I listed and sold the Inkosi in minutes. I'm eating the shipping, but I'm fine with that.

I've been playing with/modifying the ZT 450C. Now I really love it and am going to keep it. It had a bit of a too strong detent, so I slightly ramped the top part of the detent hole, and now it takes about 70% of the effort to open it. I can make it require less any time I want, but I'm erring on the side of safety. I also smoothed/chamfered the inside top edges a little so it is no longer sharp feeling. They hit the ball out of the park with this one.

Did you break it in first?

 

[Jumbi8]

Yes

 

[anthony cheeseboro]

I just got this ZT 0609. Can't recommend it enough. Thin, light and with a blade only slightly longer than 3".

The 0609 is very compact, but that blade actually 3.5”. It is as long as my XM-18 Bowie.

 

[goldenboy9595]

If you’re interested in trying a very good front flipper for a very good price check out the kizer feist. Blade is just under 3 inches in length. I love this knife. Just make sure you get the updated version with no issues. He first version had some issues.

One of my absolute favourite sub 3 inch.

Dude... i just anodized my feist the exact same last night... looks good!

 

[Lapedog]

Dude... i just anodized my feist the exact same last night... looks good!

Awesome! I was going to just do the clip but then I remembered “hey why not do the back spacer!”

I think it really adds something to the knife. Took me a while to decide between blue or purple though.

 

[goldenboy9595]

Yea. It looks sweet. I was actually going to do the whole thing but I didn't want to have to worry about fing up the detent so I didn't end up doing it. I'm so pissed though. I started taking it apart and couldn't get the pivot apart but got it lossened a bit somehow. Still got the backspacer out and continued on. But now I can't get the pivot tightened back up and it's pretty loose. This stupid free spinning shit. I feel like I've tried everything. There must just be a bunch of loctite. I am stumped.

 

[basmca]

ZT and WE have some great flippers at a fair price point, which leave very little to wish for in quality.

If you care less about value and just want to srs quality look at Reate.

After that you have Shirogorov or full custom, but those have some significant price tags.

 

[skyhorse]

Hi,

I live in the San Francisco bay area, is there ANY store that carries these higher end knives I could go fondle? Seems I have to buy them to see them at this point...

I spent six months in the bay area last year as a patient in the Palo Alto V.A. During my time there I visited a Bass Pro store in Manteca,they had a big selection of knives there. I think you'll really like the ZT0450.

 

[rexromic]

One word,Thorburn!

 

[JimMD]

The next flipper I buy, I have decided will be an Olamic Wayfarer...

Or a S.African made front flipper if I come across one at a great price that I can't resist.

Similar to the 0450, the ZT 0609 is close in size with a longer blade in 20CV. I haven’t held the 0450, but the 0609 feels great in my XL hand and has an outstanding action. Great flipper for the price.

If it’s not too small, the Olamic Busker looks to be of the highest fit and finish for the price. The design is attractive with almost endless options to choose from. I hope to find one locally myself to see whether the size works for me.

 

[Jumbi8]

I am loving this Zero Tolerance 0450 carbon. This steel holds a very fine edge. I've only sharpened it a little to a clean 40 degrees, but it takes and edge well and holds it well.

Maybe I am easily impressed because I am so new to higher end steels, but I AM impressed

I hope I like the Shirogorov even more.

 

[Jumbi8]

..

 

[bflying]

This thread needs more pics. So I pulled a few of my favorite mid sized folders. Including a couple in discussion. But also added a couple larger blades that weigh and carry small, the ZT0850 and WE Eschaton.

I have been a fan of the Chaparral since first flick. Super smooth, and with full choil grip, fits like a glove. It's a bit like the Massdrop Falcon, but much more refined.

In the small "Gent" category, another MD/Spyder combo is the Spyder Positron and Massdrop Gent.

Oh, and I should add, my favorite Kizer is the Ki3452, that has a simply amazing flip. And my favorite chunky monkey that rings in just over the 3" mark (as does the 3452), is the ZT0456. The extra ounce or two is totally forgotten once you lock in that grip. It just feels like a rockstar.

Another worth a look is the Massdrop Crux. Like many folders with a blade choil, it comes in over 3" tip to handle, but under 3" cutting edge.

 

[ChazzyP]

Well, you're definitely right about the need for more pics, bflying . I keep checking back, but inasmuch as J Jumbi8 hasn't gotten his NeOn UltraLite yet, I'll post a couple pics of mine, as it's pretty much my all-time favorite small flipper.

Here's a close second that's a totally different sort of knife. Not only have I gotten to really enjoy the HalfTrack, but this particular one has the best action of any of my past or current Hinderers.

 

[Jumbi8]

It might be a while before mine arrives as it is being sent via EMS from Russia.

Has anyone had their Neons anodized a color? I'm looking into it.

 

[GatorFlash1]

Hi Jumbi8 - lots of good suggestions so far and I thought I would toss in two of my favorites.

ZT 0801CF Copperhead M390 steel, and CRKT Hi Jinx (2014 Blade Magazine knife of the year), both high-end flippers.