Looking for a small (2.5-3") flipper...

D

DC Kestrel

Joined
Jun 3, 2017
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103
I have a number of small folders, but only two flippers: an XM-18 (3") and a Kershaw Skyline (with a blade a bit longer than 3"). I'm looking for a high-quality sub-3" flipper, and thought I had it narrowed down to a Half Track and a Olamic Busker, but then I found out about the Spyderco Dice, which seems ideal with a 2.5" blade and can still be found at some good dealers I've used before for much less than the others. If I had to weed out one, it would be the Half Track because it's a bit too tactical-looking for my office environment. Any thoughts on the above, or are there others I should be considering. Fun factor is a plus for this particular knife.

Many thanks.
 
Try the Kershaw Fraxion. Great knife, flips like an AO, 2.75 inch blade, G10/carbon fiber handles. Came hair splitting sharp.
Very "sheeple" friendly.
Rich
 
I just got three this week that fit that bill: Boos Mini Aero, Ferrum Forge/Massdrop Gent, and Kizer Envoy. Love em all. Also highly recommend the Dice, and here's a new one (more expensive tho) that I'm coveting in this size: Giant Mouse GMP4.
 
1. The Lionsteel TRE
2. Giant Mouse GM4
3. Ferrum Forge Septer
4. CKF Peace Duke
5. ZT0900
6. Hoback MK Ultra
7. SHINOLA + ZIEBA NEW YORK MS3 MANHATTAN SPECIAL POCKET KNIFE
The Busker is actually a front flipper and is smaller than 2.5.
 
For a non-threatening knife it's pretty tough to beat the Dice. I have a Domino that I like very much, but I'd definitely choose my 0900 over my Domino at this point. It's a great little tank, but it is just that, a tank. It's heavy, fat, and it won't slice nearly as well as my Domino. I still love it, though haha.

The one thing the 0900 beats my Domino at is the action. The 0900 has a ridiculously snappy action. It's fun as hell to flip.
 
All - Many thanks for the suggestions. Always great to see what is out there. I'm leaning towards the Busker, because it seems to be the least "threatening" of these knives (even the Shinola/Zeiba) because of the Largo blade shape (stubby sheepsfoot, I guess), and because it's shorter than the Dice even with the same blade length. I once pulled out a Fantoni Dweller (tiny slipjoint) at the office, and got a few comments, so appearance unfortunately is a consideration.
 
Boos blades mini aero (if you can find one), Kizer Envoy, Massdrop/FFKW Gent
 
I only have one of the three knives you mention in your OP, D DC Kestrel --the Half Track, which I would describe more as hard-use than tactical, though probably still not the sort of knife needed in an office environment. I do like my Half Track a ton, though.

I also have experience the the makers of the other two you mention--Olamic and Giant Mouse--as I own a Wayfarer 247 and a GM3. The quality from both makers is excellent and I can endorse the brand if not the knives. There's a thread here on GM4s and some that have just gotten theirs seem to like them a lot. I think the GMP4s sold out in the first hour, but some of those hundred will pop up on the Exchange soon. The Buskers look pretty blingy for my taste and at least one looks a bit murdery, to use Nick Shabazz's term. They sure are pricey little pieces too.

My smaller knives tend to be in the 3.25-3.5" range and I bought my GM3 and a Shirogorov Neon in the last couple months. If you decide to go a little bigger, both of those are excellent. The GM3 can be had under $300 here, while the Shiro Ultra-Lites run about $550 new and the Lites around $650, both a bit less on the Exchange. Both of those are great flippers and will open more discreetly as well.
 
CRKT Drifter, Fun factor max! (It was my first knife, yes I'm extremely biased) But in all seriousness, the way that it opened and closed was very crisp and the blade was so light that it just popped out very quickly. If you don't mind your pinkie hanging off, the CRKT Squid was very popular last year. Also, IMO the blade on it is very inoffensive but YMMV
 
I highly recommend a Spyderco Domino. It does have a 3.1" blade, the knife has a very classy, non-threatening look, while having a full handle grip and very strong/secure lock. It has become my go to EDC.
 
I am also looking for an under 3 inch, quality flipper.
Came across the Ferrum Forge Falcon Wing, the Spartan Metis, and the Maserin AM3. The GM4 looks very nice.
 
OP here. I ended up with a Olamic Busker. After spending way too much time thinking of which finish I wanted (I was always going to get the Largo blade), I decided to go with a plain Ti handle (with with a backspacer), with a satin finished blade - basically what you would get with a CR Sabenza. It is an awesome knife, and in terms of fit and finish, reminds me a lot of the Sabenzas. As configured, the price is almost the same as a Small Sabenza, which was good because these things can get way up there in price quick (and arguably starts there). I purchased and returned a Zeiba-Shinola MS3 - slick design, but an ergonomic nightmare. The only negative to the Busker is that the grind is a bit uneven - wider at the tip than at the heel. Really happy with it, regardless.
 
It seems like it would be junk, but I'm super happy with mine. I'd suggest the Tangram Amarillo made by Kizer. For only $30 I've not been as happy with another budget flipper other than my Bestech Lion. Blade on it is also FFG with thickness under 0.1".
 
DC Kestrel said:
OP here. I ended up with a Olamic Busker. After spending way too much time thinking of which finish I wanted (I was always going to get the Largo blade), I decided to go with a plain Ti handle (with with a backspacer), with a satin finished blade - basically what you would get with a CR Sabenza. It is an awesome knife, and in terms of fit and finish, reminds me a lot of the Sabenzas. As configured, the price is almost the same as a Small Sabenza, which was good because these things can get way up there in price quick (and arguably starts there). I purchased and returned a Zeiba-Shinola MS3 - slick design, but an ergonomic nightmare. The only negative to the Busker is that the grind is a bit uneven - wider at the tip than at the heel. Really happy with it, regardless.
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Congrats on the Busker. Sounds like it’s perfect for you.

Nit to pick: It’s Sebenza not Sabenza.
 
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