Keen.. top 150$ flipper?

[mycough]

Buying knives for my son and a favorite nephew. Not a huge flipper guy but these seem to get really good reviews.
We seems to have flippers down and the price seems really competitive.
I am thinking on getting two identical for them and a prple, ventilated one for myself.
What else would you recommend in that price range?
I would rather ask for advise now than justification later...
Thanks in advance...

Russ

 

[Dogdrawz]

It's best to try to narrow it down a bit. In the $150 flipper range these days, it is almost limitless.

Somethings to consider:
1) USA or anywhere else origin.
2) Blade shape
3) Blade steel
4) Lock type
4) Frame/handle material
5) Right, left or ambi handed

This list too can be lengthy, but it's a good start.

 

[mycough]

The steel is great. I have no issue with origin, as long as no grievous intellectual property infringement.
Edc, with a blade that will actually cut, and slice.
I think I am pretty much talked into the keen but... you never know, there are a lot of different angles, no way to keep up with them all.
From where I stand, it seems like a nice piece for the cash involved...

Russ

 

[cchu518]

Real steel metamorph gen 2 and the kizer Feist are great. The metas are much cheaper than your range and are really easy to flip. I've always wanted to edc a bird and trout and the metamorph is like a folding version.

 

[mycough]

Real steel metamorph gen 2 and the kizer Feist are great. The metas are much cheaper than your range and are really easy to flip. I've always wanted to edc a bird and trout and the metamorph is like a folding version.

I remember you posting on that metamorph, those are a deal. They flip well huh? I would take a flier on one based on your thoughts.
I recall issues with the feist early on, assuming all sorted out.
Thanks for the reply Boss...


Russ

 

[jp9mm]

Personally i prefer used shopping, pretty much always save 50-150$ on everything i buy and can't even tell its used half the time.
I like the WE Deacon over the Keen (more money unless you buy used)

The keen looks nice, maybe a little heavy on my blade to weight scale.
Theres a 20$ off promo if you use their link. not sure how long it lasts but the gent coupon has been running a month now i think

 

[cchu518]

Yes they flip well. Deinos on the forum is probably going to go for the cf version which is in that price range.

The feist's are sorted. They're not a very big knife though so if you have big paws it might be a no go.

 

[mycough]

Damn, they have that metamorph in carbon fiber and m390, a folding b and t sounds pretty cool.

Russ

 

[mycough]

Personally i prefer used shopping, pretty much always save 50-150$ on everything i buy and can't even tell its used half the time.
I like the WE Deacon over the Keen (more money unless you buy used)

The keen looks nice, maybe a little heavy on my blade to weight scale.
Theres a 20$ off promo if you use their link. not sure how long it lasts but the gent coupon has been running a month now i think

Used is the way to go, but I want these to more ore less match. Deacon looks nice also, thanks...

Russ

 

[Barman1]

Damn, they have that metamorph in carbon fiber and m390, a folding b and t sounds pretty cool.

Russ

I have the S35VN Metamorph (fixed blade model as well) with the rear flipper and I can "almost" recommend it.
The blade is quite thick for a small knife. I had to remove a lot of steel to get a slicey 17 degrees per side. It would benefit from a full regrind.
Clip screws are not countersunk. Actually they're really tall and interfere with getting fully seated in the pocket. I've been looking to source new screws and countersink them myself.

 

[mycough]

Personally i prefer used shopping, pretty much always save 50-150$ on everything i buy and can't even tell its used half the time.
I like the WE Deacon over the Keen (more money unless you buy used)

The keen looks nice, maybe a little heavy on my blade to weight scale.
Theres a 20$ off promo if you use their link. not sure how long it lasts but the gent coupon has been running a month now i think

Thanks Man, if I go that way this could save me some ging.

Russ

 

[RealVendetta]

Im lusting after the Keen after buying the Crux. Sweet sweet action. I also got a Kizer Gemini recently and the Ti version of it is a very very sweet flipper for a little north of $150. A little smaller than the Keen but a great action nonetheless.

 

[Henry Beige]

The Keen is not the type of knife I ordinarily buy, and cost more than I ordinarily spend. However, I am impressionable, and the buzz around this knife had its effect. It is nicely made, well designed, and seems to be a good value for the price; a comparison is difficult since I don’t have anything to compare it with.

All just another way of saying, for me there is no other.

 

[cchu518]

I have the S35VN Metamorph (fixed blade model as well) with the rear flipper and I can "almost" recommend it.
The blade is quite thick for a small knife. I had to remove a lot of steel to get a slicey 17 degrees per side. It would benefit from a full regrind.
Clip screws are not countersunk. Actually they're really tall and interfere with getting fully seated in the pocket. I've been looking to source new screws and countersink them myself.

Wow the grind on the sandvik version is like straight razor thin!

I like my dogtooth alot too! But that Keen Portals seems awesome as well.

 

[LightningG]

.

 

[Dadpool]

The Keen is a great flipper in general, not just at its price point. I've had a couple ZTs that were better flippers -- and ~$90 more than the Keen -- but it was the difference between great (Keen) and amazing (ZTs); I've also had ZTs that were "just" on par with the Keen.

Blade geometry is solid, the design is minimalist without being boring and feels good in your hand, and there are some fun variations. I went with standard finish/grooved because I want snail trails and wear to show; it acquires a personal patina of use when you look at it funny, which is exactly what I wanted.

With quite different flipping action but roughly the same price point, I've been really impressed with the ZT 0450 and the Kizer Feist. My 0450 blasts open harder than the Keen, but doesn't drop closed quite as easily. The Feist feels totally different, of course, but the action is lovely.

Most Feists in circulation now should have CQI: plain pivot, fixed stop pin groove/issue, slightly ridged lockbar release scallop. The Feist is one of the most refined $150 knives I've ever handled -- the crowned spine is a great touch, and the whole knife feels like a smooth river stone.

 

[Deinos]

Real steel metamorph gen 2 and the kizer Feist are great. The metas are much cheaper than your range and are really easy to flip. I've always wanted to edc a bird and trout and the metamorph is like a folding version.

I remember you posting on that metamorph, those are a deal. They flip well huh? I would take a flier on one based on your thoughts.
I recall issues with the feist early on, assuming all sorted out.
Thanks for the reply Boss...


Russ

Yes they flip well. Deinos on the forum is probably going to go for the cf version which is in that price range.

The feist's are sorted. They're not a very big knife though so if you have big paws it might be a no go.

Damn, they have that metamorph in carbon fiber and m390, a folding b and t sounds pretty cool.

Russ

I second that recommendation. The more I use this thing, the more I like it. Flips like butter (and I had some issues with the Feist I ended up giving away) ... I can do no wrong flipping this one, however. And, yes, I will most likely go for that m390/CF version based on trying the original (just have to make some room in "ye olde knife budget" for the year...)

 

[mycough]

I havent bought a factory folder in awhile but I am thinking I will grab a couple for the kids and a purple one for me.
I have a blue metamorph coming from somewhere, wife asked me if I was back at it again, didnt know what to say.
My paypal is My paypal but i used a card, oops, like i said, been awhile...
Thanks for all the great posts, confirms my suspicions about that keen.

Russ

 

[Hologram]

If you still want a Keen, I have a new one for sale. Check my sig...

I'm on Eastern time, so if you try to reach me and I don't answer tonight, I will in the morning.

 

[Chronovore]

WE is known for flippers done right and thin slicey blades. That holds true for their budget brand as well. I've spent more of this year with a Civivi in my pocket than any other brand. Yeah, you give up the super steel and a few other niceties but you still get an incredible knife.

A big issue for me is that knives get used. They get wear and tear. Things happen to them. Getting the level of performance that my Civivis have given me without the overhead of a more expensive knife has been spectacular.