Is there a "poor man's" or budget version of the SBD Mini Tempest?

[Catermellons]

I understand you get what you pay for and all that, I just don't have the money for one of these amazing knives. If I did buy one I probably wouldn't use it unless I bought it used and it was already sorta beat on.

That being said, are there any knives that might be comparable and are a little more wallet friendly?

 

[DocJD]

Lot's of front flippers around now : https://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_store.html?usrsearch=front flipper

On the left margin , you can select more specific search criteria .

I'd forget about super steels if you want to save money .

 

[King of the Cheese]

It isn’t a front flipper but the WE Seer is close. There are others like the Bestech Shinkansen but many are discontinued/sold out.

 

[RousingRabbles]

QSP Gannet isn't far off

 

[Hackenslash]

Check out the new budget Kansept Accipter. The budget models are only in the full size for now, but I bet there’s a mini coming. It’s lines remind me a lot of the Tempest.

Scroll through the many offerings from CIVIVI, there’s bound to be something there that scratches that itch.

Edit:
Sorry, I had it backwards, the budget Kansept is the mini at 2.8” blade. The SBD Mini Tempest is actually a 3.5” blade. That’s not a mini to me, but whatever.

 

[Catermellons]

Thanks for the information everyone, I'll get to looking at your suggestions and see what I can find.

 

[Catermellons]

I understand you get what you pay for and all that, I just don't have the money for one of these amazing knives. If I did buy one I probably wouldn't use it unless I bought it used and it was already sorta beat on.

That being said, are there any knives that might be comparable and are a little more wallet friendly?

I'm looking for something that isn't just a flipper, more along the lines of an actual mini tempest. Build quality and design features and such. My issue is that I am not well versed in all this stuff which is why I was asking.
Thank you for linking me a bunch of nice stuff to look through, that was really cool of you and I really do appreciate it friend!

 

[OrangeBlueOrangeBlue]

Some "dressy" front-flippers with approx. 3.5" blades that are more budget-friendly than a Mini Tempest:

Artisan Centauri (Ray Laconico design; pakkawood/VG10 damascus Knifecenter exclusive for $120) -this would be my pick

Artisan Sirius (another Laconico, but with thumbstuds and a front flipper; micarta/S35VN for $128)

Civivi Exarch (copper handle/9Cr damascus blade is just over $90; the basic G10 one is less than $50)

Civivi Appalachian Drifter (double-detent slipjoint; carbon/9Cr damascus at $120; basic ones just over $80)

Real Steel Metamorph (aluminum/14C28N for about $60)

 

[Catermellons]

Some "dressy" front-flippers with approx. 3.5" blades that are more budget-friendly than a Mini Tempest:

Artisan Centauri (Ray Laconico design; pakkawood/VG10 damascus Knifecenter exclusive for $120) -this would be my pick

Artisan Sirius (another Laconico, but with thumbstuds and a front flipper; micarta/S35VN for $128)

Civivi Exarch (copper handle/9Cr damascus blade is just over $90; the basic G10 one is less than $50)

Civivi Appalachian Drifter (double-detent slipjoint; carbon/9Cr damascus at $120; basic ones just over $80)

Real Steel Metamorph (aluminum/14C28N for about $60)

Those first two are really nice but I may have to buy that VG10 damascus Artisan Centauri, that's a drop dead gorgeous knife and I really really appreciate you telling me about it. The cost too is just nuts, how can you sell a knife like that for so little when the Tempest is $400+/$500+ for the m390 and damascus ones?

 

[argyle1812]

I'm looking for something that isn't just a flipper, more along the lines of an actual mini tempest. Build quality and design features and such. My issue is that I am not well versed in all this stuff which is why I was asking.
Thank you for linking me a bunch of nice stuff to look through, that was really cool of you and I really do appreciate it friend!

I have a kansept accipiter in timascus and s35 for sale in the exchange. The front flipper work's great it's just not my thing.

 

[Catermellons]

I have a kansept accipiter in timascus and s35 for sale in the exchange. The front flipper work's great it's just not my thing.

I'll look for it and see if it's within my budget, much appreciated!

 

[OrangeBlueOrangeBlue]

Those first two are really nice but I may have to buy that VG10 damascus Artisan Centauri, that's a drop dead gorgeous knife and I really really appreciate you telling me about it. The cost too is just nuts, how can you sell a knife like that for so little when the Tempest is $400+/$500+ for the m390 and damascus ones?

A lot of the price difference is materials: titanium, Fat Carbon and high-end steel vs. pakkawood, VG10 damascus and steel liner lock.
Titanium is obviously much more costly than steel or pakkawood (resin-impregnated wood veneer, same idea as micarta, but with wood instead of fabric).
Damasteel is some of the most expensive blade steel you can get (essentially the only high-performance damascus on the market).
Fat Carbon is pricy too.

Then you have the production and features...
A contoured titanium framelock is much more time-intensive than flat pakkawood scales over a steel linerlock.
Doing the Fat Carbon inlays (which Reate does as well as anyone, perfectly flush and gapless fit) is more work on each side.
Making the "detent nub" insert is yet more work compared to pressing a ball bearing into the lockbar.
On the M390 blades, Reate does a hand satin, which is more labor compared to the belt satin Artisan uses on the non-damascus Centauri.