Recommendation? Large(ish) Front/Top Flipper

Barman1

Barman1

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Jun 21, 2013
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Bear with me folks, this is my first recommendation thread I think... :rolleyes:
As the title states, I'm looking for a front or top flipper with some size.
The problem with doing my own search using those parameters the results are usually all flipper types and I'm looking for front or top specifically.
And a little larger than most.
Thinking around 3.5, give or take a tenth or two but lean toward the large end.
No pocket hogs but something that works with long fingers.
Most of these flippers are small and that just doesn't work for me.
Cost not necessarily an object but I'd rather keep this one a production model rather than custom.
No budget line models either seeing as this will probably be unique in my collection so I want it to be a little nicer than most.
Nice steel, tip up/rh carry and no dang clip holes that it doesn't need for anything other than the aforementioned carry position.

I think that covers the bases?
Thanks for any help!
 
I found this.blade and its.front flipper.very nice! I was surprised and.overall very pleased with the quality of this knife as well. It's a Krudo Dao!! There are other models but all have the same.deployment options. Front flip, normal, thumb disc thingy & it can be waved. If you could handle one of the models I think you might like them! IMG_20200427_171542.jpgIMG_20200427_153905.jpg
 
Ooh, that's a toughy.

I'd honestly recommend the newer Pena X-Series Mula, with both studs and front flipper action, when the next drop happens. It's just a little smaller than the 3.5" blade you wanted at 3.25". So far, I'm enjoying mine quite a lot. Despite preferring a deeper carry clip, the slope at the end of the handle works very well for my carry preferences.

Kizer and Kansept have a few in their higher-end line (Ti and S35VN). The Kansept Lucky Star is a slim 3.54" blade that might fit the bill. The Real Steel Metamorph S5 is another similar style knife.

I've read and seen fairly good reviews about the large Artisan Centauri (any configuration). I've been wanting to try one of those out for quite some time.

WE has their 3.95" Alessandra de Santis; though, that might honestly be excessive for an EDC.

There's also the MKM Viper Burnley Raut with a 3.35" blade. While discontinued, I think a few retailers still have them in stock.

I'm not aware of any domestically produced large front flippers as I'd certainly like one of those myself.
 
CKF FIF23 (3.9") or FIF20 (3.35") are pretty sweet, provided you can handle the price.
eyJidWNrZXQiOiAiZmlsZXMua25pZmVjZW50ZXIuY29tIiwia2V5IjogImtuaWZlY2VudGVyL2N1c3RvbWtuaWZlZmFjdG9yeS9pbWFnZXMvQ0tGRklGMjBfMS5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6IHsicmVzaXplIjogeyJ3aWR0aCI6IDc2MCwiaGVpZ2h0IjogNDE1LCJmaXQiOiAiY29udGFpbiIsImJhY2tncm91bmQiOiB7InIiOiAyNTUsImciOiAyNTUsImIiOiAyNTUsImFscGhhIjogMX19fX0=
 
Have you ever considered the Spyderco Ikuchi?

It’s unique, a front wheel flipper, tip up only with a wire clip, so no ugly extra 3 holes just a milled u clip slot, just a tad shorter than your 3.5” blade size give or take .1”or .2” (3.26”), nice S30V, not a pocket hog, non budget & unique production model, top compression lock.

The first release pre-CQI is ultra glass smooth (too dangerous smooth for me) and has zero tip issues (at least my first week drop issue example doesn’t).

BF talk about thread: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/spyderco-ikuchi.1654768/

Spyderco page specs:

Overall Length
7.61" (193mm)
Blade Length
3.26" (83mm)
Steel
CPM S30V
Closed Length
4.35" (110mm)
Edge Length
3.18" (81mm)
Weight
2.4oz (68g)
Blade Thickness
0.098" (2.5mm)
Handle
Carbon Fiber/G-10 Laminate
Clip Position
Ambi
Tip Carry Position
Tip-Up
Lock Type
Compression
Grind
Full-Flat
Sheath
N/A
Origin
Taiwan

And of course a picture, curtesy of the Internet:

17ABD11D-18EF-468F-A34A-235DACE60C15.jpeg
 
Thanks for the replies so far!
I'm liking the Laconico collab from Artisan and a couple others mentioned.
The WE Roman styled would work, if it had a pocket clip... Looks like a fun design.
Liong Mah KUF 2.0 had my attention but looks a little fiddly to get a thumb on the lock bar though, always something. :rolleyes:
Keep the suggestions coming, they're steering me away from spending way more than I want on a custom (Sergey Rogovets mini Ice Pick :p).
 
Another vote for the Imperium. about 3.5" and 3oz. perfect detent / action for the front flipper and thumb stud
I also have the Ikutchi and like them both but it's a little awkward to front flip.

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After following your suggestions and hunting around for a while I landed on a Bestech Exploit.
3.5" S35VN so it's pretty close to what I was looking for, and has nice lines. :thumbsup:
Seems to check most of the boxes for me, I'll find out...
 
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The Trevor Burger LEXK CFL is the best front flipper and best knife in general that I own. I just received an email notification that these are in stock at a retailer that is in a Fort has the name Henry and sells Custom knives. The size is a nice sweet spot.


Capture 2.jpg
 
jascolli said:
The Trevor Burger LEXK CFL is the best front flipper and best knife in general that I own. I just received an email notification that these are in stock at a retailer that is in a Fort has the name Henry and sells Custom knives. The size is a nice sweet spot.


View attachment 1580803
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Same here. Amazing knife. Have the smaller exk and it's the prize of my collection. Talked to a few other people who have both the shamwari and TBC and everyone agreed TBC wins
 
jascolli said:
The Trevor Burger LEXK CFL is the best front flipper and best knife in general that I own. I just received an email notification that these are in stock at a retailer that is in a Fort has the name Henry and sells Custom knives. The size is a nice sweet spot.


View attachment 1580803
Click to expand...
The problem I have is that I know I need a larger knife, especially a flipper.
Then factor in the availability/cost/wait time of a Burger only to find that in my orangutan (not joking at all) sized mitts it needs to be returned (which I don't like to do with a perfectly functioning knife) or sold for less if it can't be returned.
I've had a couple of back flipper Pena knives around 3.25" and they were beautiful but the fiddle time of getting my hand scrunched enough to access the flipper was unacceptable, some sort of weird contortions going on.
So there's that, and the fact that I'm going to just fidget around with this one so I paid just about the right amount.
Thanks for posting that Burger though, sweet knife!
 
Barman1 said:
Love the knife but dislike the blade marking(s). :rolleyes:
That damascus needs to be sterile with maybe some branding on the spine or something subtle.
Click to expand...
More blade markings than necessary and the manufacturing quality isn’t quite up to the high-end companies. But it’s still a good design, quality is ok for the price, and the neutral handle is good for those with monster mitts.
 
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