High Quality Production Flippers?

F

FrankC512

Joined
Sep 2, 2009
Messages
6
Hey guys,

I'm looking at getting a new knife for EDC purposes, and could use some recommendations. Right now I carry a CRKT M16-04Z, and have a love hate relationship with it. I love the VERY effective flipper/deployment mechanism on these knives. This is the third CKRT M16 style knife I've owned and have always loved the lightning fast one handed deployment. Also, the 3.875" blade length is right in the middle of my preferred length for an EDC folder. The Auto-Lawks system is another plus, it's nice having that extra safety there. On the downside though, I don't like the Zytel grip scales, and I've just about had it with the AUS-8 (I believe) blade. It just can't keep a decent edge on it for some reason. Basically, what I'm looking for is a quality folder with higher end blade steel, an effective flipper, a blade length between 3.5 and 4.5, G-10 or comparable handles, and I would like to stay in the range of production knives due to the cost point and availability/replacability, but if I had to I guess I could go semi-custom/full custom. It needs to be a knife that can be used in both a utilitarian and tactical capacity. Right now I'm looking at the HTM Darrel Ralph type knives, but if you guys have any other recommendations I would love to hear them. Thanks fellas.
 
Four recommendations:

Large folder: ZT 0560
Medium Folder: ZT 0350, Hogue EX04 & Spyderco Southard

If you can wait, I would wait for the upcoming ZT 0566 or or the 0454. From my understanding though, not to be released until sometime next year.

ZT 0454
IMG_0773_zpsa4a9a5cd.jpg


ZT 0566

0566_white__432x160.jpg
 
another vote for the zt0560 cant get enough of mine, specially now with kryptoglow scales :D
 
Reading the responses to posts like these only reminds me of just how many knives there are out there that I still "need" to get. :D
 
Diskin knives is about to release one that will be extremely well done to say the least
 
Thanks for the replies guys. I own a ZT 0300ST and I love the quality, but the blade shape is not ideal for me and even well lubricated it needs some wrist action to ensure positive lockup on deployment. All that said the ZT 0560 is a definite possibility. I had seen the Fantoni 01 before now, and it's on my short list. My only concern is the small size of the flipper, and its effectiveness when used with gloves. Anyone got any experience with that?
 
FrankC512 said:
Thanks for the replies guys. I own a ZT 0300ST and I love the quality, but the blade shape is not ideal for me and even well lubricated it needs some wrist action to ensure positive lockup on deployment. All that said the ZT 0560 is a definite possibility. I had seen the Fantoni 01 before now, and it's on my short list. My only concern is the small size of the flipper, and its effectiveness when used with gloves. Anyone got any experience with that?
Click to expand...

Your 0300 needs wrist action? That's strange because it's an assisted opening knife.
 
Spyderco Southard, or for a bigger, heftier pocket weight, the ZT 0560. If you can wait, the ZT 0801 looks like it will be pretty spiffy as well.
 
ZT has already been mentioned and I'll second them. Don't know anything about the Southard. I have an HTM flipper and it is a nice knife. I'm not keeping it because I don't really like aluminium scales or flippers. This one works well, they just aren't my cup of tea. I do like the S30V and the recurve on the HTMs. The edge is well ground and sharp on the one I have and it seems to be a solid folder. If mine is typical, whoever is making them seems to be doing a good job.
 
Another vote for the Southard. Next step up from there is an XM-18. Think I'm kidding? Check this out:

[video=youtube;-rGrxWmLgwQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rGrxWmLgwQ[/video]

:)
 
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