New to flippers, bought a few and made some observations, looking for suggestions

benzy2 said:
What issues have you had? All of the ZT flippers (that aren't assisted) that I've tried flip well, lock up solid, and close well, center up great, and have decent materials. Looks I can see but has there been a functional issue you've found with ZT?
Click to expand...

If they flip well for you, then enjoy them:thumbup:
 
0aba7c8f7aba3e9df7541e0fd399f7e4.jpg


Just picked up this 0804cf and couldn't be more impressed with it.
 
The problem with "flipping action" is that it's relative.

I really prefer the "mechanical" action of an XM-18 vs the almost assisted feel of a Shiro, but that's just me.

This is really a personal preference thing, but personally, my favourite flippers are all on washers.
 
I've found the smoothest flipper actions on loose bearings like Shirogorov and Todd Begg. After that caged bearings, PB washers and then teflon washers. I've had no issues with the maintenance of bearings including the loose ones.
 
whitty said:
Have you considered the new Hinderer Half Track. It is almost the exact same size as the ZT0900. They come in a smooth ti and a textured ti for more gripiness. It is way above $200 but is an amazing knife.

Textured:
https://flic.kr/p/KzPJDV https://www.flickr.com/photos/57703464@N02/

Smooth:
https://flic.kr/p/N9ttty https://www.flickr.com/photos/57703464@N02/
Click to expand...

These Hinderer Half-Tracks sure are nice and they have near identical specs to ZT 0900. The differences are PB washers for Half-Track vs. caged bearings on 0900. The 0900 also has steel lock bar insert for extended lock life. The clincher is that the Half-Track ($585) is more than three times the price of the 0900 ($192).
 
Man the Viper 10 looks great . And N690 steel to boot . Novembers first purchase .......... thanks
 
When it come to flippers and flipping action, sonfar my ZT0801 is my benchmark
Definitively one to test for less than 200$


Envoyé de mon iPhone en utilisant Tapatalk
 
A brand not yet mentioned is WE. If you are fond of something with the approximate "footprint" of a ZT 0900, then take a look at the WE 605F. It sports a 3.0" flipper blade of the same S35VN steel as the ZT and is very, very close to the same blade thickness. While the 605F is obviously intended as a flipper, the sculpted drop point blade features a nicely formed, almost aerodynamic-seeming opening hole. The unassisted flipper action is extremely crisp like all the WE knives I've personally handled. (I do own a few Kizers, and even thought well enough of the Kizer Nomad to buy two of them, but to be brutally honest, most Kizer flippers are pretty lazy in deployment, very reminiscent of the well known ZT 0560/0561 Hinderer.) And because the 605F is not spring assisted, if you choose to use two fingers to "pinch" the blade open, there is no spring tension to overcome; it's a pretty easy opener if handled this way.

Now for a few points that may or may not be of import to you. First, the WE 605F is going to set you back roughly 90 bucks more than a ZT 0900, however, for the money you will be getting quite a bit more fine machine work as well as more choices in handle and blade color combinations. Second, it's a product of the People's Republic of China which admittedly can be a deal breaker for some folks who are of a certain mind or who have yet to inspect a well crafted Reate or Rike knife. Third, WE designs tend to be quite expressive of certain design elements and tend to be dismissed by buyers who appreciate a more restrained or conservative appearance. Fourth and last, WE employs a proprietary fastener, maybe best described as a "reverse torx." My WE knives all came with an appropriate adjustment tool, but it's I think fair to point out that you are unlikely to find a proper tool at your generic big box home improvement emporium.

Obviously, I find the 605F to be quite impressive. Try looking one up. My purple example with a two-tone black and silver blade has seldom failed to generate a favorable comment.
 
RamZar said:
These Hinderer Half-Tracks sure are nice and they have near identical specs to ZT 0900. The differences are PB washers for Half-Track vs. caged bearings on 0900. The 0900 also has steel lock bar insert for extended lock life. The clincher is that the Half-Track ($585) is more than three times the price of the 0900 ($192).
Click to expand...

After owning many ZT and other brands of flippers on bearings and only one xm-18, I kind of like more the Hinderer. I feel the steel lockbar insert requires more precise engineering such that I am not sure manufacturers including KAI do it well with all their models. Most ZTs with the insert if you squeeze their lockbars would travel very noticeably to the presentation side, which is a fact confirmed by several others on this forum, which is sth I really do not like. The Hinderer that I have will not even nudge a bit yet it absolutely has zero lovk stick while zero blade play.

Plus, maybe because I have flipped those ball bearing flippers too much, somehow I feel the kind of quiet smoothness and not so snappy action of the xm-18 is more attractive to me.

Another thing to consider is the groove formed by bearings on the ti handle is somewhat concerning to me. I have seen three reported cases including me on this forum. I could be wrong but I feel it is a matter of time before manufacturers including ZT to add a steel washer between the ball bearings and the ti handle or use sth different like roller bearings. Some other mid to high end folders already did.

I guess I am not completely disagreeing with you, but I do want to provide some other perspectives, especially for people who are just beginning to venture into stuff like flippers, ball bearing, steel lockbar inserts, etc.
 
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Deltadag said:
A brand not yet mentioned is WE. If you are fond of something with the approximate "footprint" of a ZT 0900, then take a look at the WE 605F. It sports a 3.0" flipper blade of the same S35VN steel as the ZT and is very, very close to the same blade thickness. While the 605F is obviously intended as a flipper, the sculpted drop point blade features a nicely formed, almost aerodynamic-seeming opening hole. The unassisted flipper action is extremely crisp like all the WE knives I've personally handled. (I do own a few Kizers, and even thought well enough of the Kizer Nomad to buy two of them, but to be brutally honest, most Kizer flippers are pretty lazy in deployment, very reminiscent of the well known ZT 0560/0561 Hinderer.) And because the 605F is not spring assisted, if you choose to use two fingers to "pinch" the blade open, there is no spring tension to overcome; it's a pretty easy opener if handled this way.

Now for a few points that may or may not be of import to you. First, the WE 605F is going to set you back roughly 90 bucks more than a ZT 0900, however, for the money you will be getting quite a bit more fine machine work as well as more choices in handle and blade color combinations. Second, it's a product of the People's Republic of China which admittedly can be a deal breaker for some folks who are of a certain mind or who have yet to inspect a well crafted Reate or Rike knife. Third, WE designs tend to be quite expressive of certain design elements and tend to be dismissed by buyers who appreciate a more restrained or conservative appearance. Fourth and last, WE employs a proprietary fastener, maybe best described as a "reverse torx." My WE knives all came with an appropriate adjustment tool, but it's I think fair to point out that you are unlikely to find a proper tool at your generic big box home improvement emporium.

Obviously, I find the 605F to be quite impressive. Try looking one up. My purple example with a two-tone black and silver blade has seldom failed to generate a favorable comment.
Click to expand...

I have a WE 605H inbound and I can't wait to get it in hand! My WE 606 is an excellent flipper; strong detent but flies out with even a careless flip of the tab. When I saw the 605 with a 3" blade, flipper or hole opener, I had to give it a shot! It might be the hole/flipper that I've always wanted Spyderco to offer. This will be my fourth WE and they keep coming out with models that all look great faster than I can ever afford to keep up.
 
For what I am concerned, it is about quality for the price... at the moment from the different flippers I have tested, I have been the most impressed by ZTs
For the value they have the best flipping action I have seen

By the way, recommendations for great flippers bellow 200$ are welcomed ;)
So far the ZT0801 has been great for me
 
Just got this one. A little out of the price range but is built like a tank and very smooth. Full disclosure: this is my first and only flipper.

9699d7706f60286f83b7ed9abc1e7631.jpg



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