NKD: Boker kwaiken Ti flipper. WOW

[PURPLEDC]

Just picked up one of the boker Titanium flippers. I have to say that it is very impressive. Its no secret that Chinese and Taiwanese production has been impressing me as of late but these little guys are for sure the front runner of all of them. Im not a steel snob so the aus-8 doesnt bother me. But if it DID have a more premium steel for the blade this would easily be in spyderco southard territory or better in the fit and finish department. My ONLY caveat is I would have preferred a better shape to the flipper to facilitate the different techniques of opening flippers. As it sits these lend themselves to the push in technique. Fit and finish, blade centering you name it its perfect. You literally are given 0 reason to suspect asian production. I can appreciate USA made products. But I honestly have been getting cleaner quality from taiwan lately than the USA. And in this case its almost as if they have surpassed many USA facilities.

 

[bpeezer]

My ONLY caveat is I would have preferred a better shape to the flipper to facilitate the different techniques of opening flippers. As it sits these lend themselves to the push in technique.

This is a huge thing for me. It's the only reason I didn't buy a Kwaiken flipper when they were released, but everyone loves it enough that I might end up getting one anyways. How does the flipping action compare to other knives?

 

[RamZar]

It really is a great well-built flipper at value pricing. With S35VN (like on the Pipsqueak) or Boker's N690Bo it'd be in a higher category but then again at $50 more the affordability index would be higher. I hope they'll make a version with premium steel but no biggie if they don't. This IKBS flipper has great action plus fit & finish.

Two related threads:

• Böker Plus Kwaiken Flipper Folder
• Boker Plus Kwaiken Flippers are here . . .

 

[eschwebach]

This is a huge thing for me. It's the only reason I didn't buy a Kwaiken flipper when they were released, but everyone loves it enough that I might end up getting one anyways. How does the flipping action compare to other knives?

The flipping action is superb, I have to actually tell myself it is not assisted. The detente is just about perfect on mine. I really like this offering from Boker (I have a love-hate relationship with them). If I had to be nit-picky, there are two things that could be improved. 1) Weight - it is pretty heavy, surprisingly so. 2) The flipper shape like mentioned above.

I don't mind the AUS-8, but if they came out with a limited edition with CF scales and n690 like RamZar suggested I would be ALL over it.

 

[bpeezer]

Sweet, looks like I may have to order one of these some time next month. Thanks guys :thumbup:

 

[RamZar]

... but if they came out with a limited edition with CF scales and n690 like RamZar suggested I would be ALL over it.

With N690 steel and CF scales instead of titanium it would address both the steel "issue" as well as weight reduction with the CF and a different look.

 

[PURPLEDC]

This is a huge thing for me. It's the only reason I didn't buy a Kwaiken flipper when they were released, but everyone loves it enough that I might end up getting one anyways. How does the flipping action compare to other knives?

I think the knife has great action. I havent been able to get it to miss fire. This of course is a matter of taste. Everyone likes their knives set up different. I personally prefer a little less lockbar pressure so that their isnt as much drag with the detent rubbing the blade. But sometimes you need that extra pressure to make sure the detent is strong enough to flip the knife consistently. But with having a really strong lockbar the only real benefit you get from the bearing system is the self centering of the blade and less ability to over torque the pivot. I like my IKBS knives to have the blades just fall back into the handle. The kwaiken seems to have a very similar set up to my southard.