Recommend a flipper, < $200

S

Slipperyfish

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Apr 6, 2014
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Looking for recommendations on a new flipper. Budget is less than $200.

It's between the Spyderco Domino and ZT 770CF. I've handled the Domino and loved it, but haven't gotten my hands on the 770. I'm not sure I want an assisted opening but am willing to consider it or even deassist it if needed.

I'm also open to other manufacturers and models in that price range.

As always I appreciate the expert advice and shared experiences I get here and am grateful for the forum that provides it. Now help me spend my money:D
 
I've had an 0770 (Aluminum), 0561, and a Domino. Now, I have none of them and instead have a Southard. I much prefer it over the others. They're all undeniably phenomenal flippers, but the Southard is a step above, in my experience, especially with the steel.
 
Is the 204p that much better than elmax or xhp?


tchapman414 said:
I've had an 0770 (Aluminum), 0561, and a Domino. Now, I have none of them and instead have a Southard. I much prefer it over the others. They're all undeniably phenomenal flippers, but the Southard is a step above, in my experience, especially with the steel.
Click to expand...
 
In the testing done by a few different members here, it seems the general consensus is by far. By no means is that alone enough to sell me a knife, but it is an added bonus. I'd take ELMAX just as readily. I, overall, just find the entire design to be much more to my tastes. It's a strongly-built design with great ergonomics that carries slim in the pocket. The blade shape is very useful, and the flipper action, once practiced, works well by either method.
 
0560 as it flips better than the hinderers I have handled. Of those two I would go with the domino, but you can also find a Spyderco Southard for that range as well.
 
I've got all the above knives, and between the Domino and the 770 the 770 is my preference, but I will say I don't mind assisted openers, if however you don't the 770's are hit or miss when de-assisting them, I actually tried de-assisting one of my 770 CF's and it wasn't worth a hoot de-assisted. I've heard others who have said there's flipped great though. If you really want a standard flipper, I would recommend the ZT 801, the 561 is great flipper as well, and I like these two knives--561, and 801 better than the Southard or the Domino. Not a ZT fanboy, but they just seem more robust overall to me, and the Southard in particular has a muted sound when flipping it open, unlike the reassuring SNAP you get from the ZT's. The Domino is just a notch below all of these knives IMO. Also true of the assisted opening of the 770, it flies open, with a solid click when it is fully open.
 
What about an 0801? I found them for less than 200, and everybody says theyre amazing.......

Or just get a 0566 and save a bunch of money. I love mine and cant see how any extra "flipability" would be necessary. Once this thing is broken in and you get the technique down, it effortless to flip, even with no assist. Its super smooth too.
Dont buy into all the hype surrounding Ti framelocks. Sure they are lighter, but they add a lot to the cost of a knife, and wear much faster unless they have a steel insert in the lock bar. With my 0566, the stainless locking side has kept wear to an absolute minimum. I have flipped this thing many thousands of times with almost no affect on the lockup. It came to me at around 60 percent and has pretty much stayed there ever since. Great knife
 
Domino all day every day! After selling off the majority of my collection, the Domino is the ONLY knife that I miss.
 
I've owned or own most of the knives mentioned and the ZT 801 winds hands down!
 
Domino over the 0770CF. Just one slip while fighting to close the assisted ZT and it wouldn't be pretty.

The Domino has a stainless lockbar insert.
 
Between the two I'd pick the Domino. I prefer the ball bearing action to the AO 770. I deassisted my 770 and it was boo boo so I put the torsion bar back on. Domino also has a secondary opening method as an added plus. The Domino is the better slicer of the two being ground thinner. I measured the 0770 at around 25 thousandths which isn't bad but for day to day tasks is a little thick. Another thing I prefer is the Domino's standard clip, the 0770's deep carry clip is popular and rightfully so but it is more cumbersome to take out the pocket multiple times a day. Ergos, I'd give the Domino the edge.

As far as steel goes, I'm happy with both but I'm more into slicers than toughness so the thinner grind of the Domino wins out. Plus XHP isn't exactly trash... it is popular amongst custom makers and mid techs.

Materials wise, Domino is a full featured Ti flipper, ball bearing framelock with over travel stop and steel insert. 0770 looks better though especially with that full CF. If you are patient, they can both be had at $140 to $150.
 
I've had two Southards, two Dominos, and one Dice (shorter blade).
Take the Southard for the 204P blade-steel. The nicest one I've had.
I have NOT had the ZT 801, but I've had a ton of ZT's, and they are great knives.
 
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