Satisfying Flipper

S

SmartCastle7

Joined
Sep 22, 2018
Messages
25
I recently purchased a used Kershaw Thermite, and I have to say that I'm thoroughly impressed. Fifteen dollars at the local pawn shop. This is my first Hinderer design. I really love the size, assisted flip, and spanto tip. The lockup is awesome and it has a very satisfying snap when opened. I don't like the scales particularly... more specifically the pattern on them. I also don't like the thumb studs, too long. My question is... if I really like this knife what knife would I fall in love with? I'd like better blade steel and possibly more hardware options. Any suggestions or recommendations are welcome. I'd like to stay below $100.00 if possible.
 
Well the $100 thing might stand in the way a little but I think Kershaws are decent little knives for the price point but their sister company Zero Tolerance makes some absolutely exceptional flippers. Check them out,I own a couple and they’re great blades. I just picked up a model 0462 that is one of the sweetest flippers I own albeit for $220. But for that you get carbon fiber on one side and titanium on the lock side. S35VN blade steel on the 0462 and most of their knives use higher end steels. They have a few models in the $140-60 range that are decent too.
 
If you like that, you’ll soon fall in love with well tuned, unassisted flippers. ZT, WE, and Kizer each make some great ones between about $170-$250. ZT and WE are a bit more consistent with their detents right now, while Kizer hits at a slightly lower price point than them. I have a Kizer Ursa Minor with freakishly dialed in action, but my Gemini has a slightly soft detent.

Two Sun is an oddly distributed Chinese company making lower price, unassisted flippers in D2. If you neeeeed to stay below $100, that’s an option.
 
I love all of my Kershaw flippers. Leek, Link, the cheapies on sale for $19.99 at the sporting goods stores, etc.

I don’t think you can beat their assisted flippers and all of mine are under $50.

I don’t find my $100+ Spyderco Southard or Steel Will Filppers any better.

I prefer the USA Made Kershaws but try to fine one in a great steel like M390. Might be around $100, but worth it IMO.

Spend $150-200? Upgrade to a ZT.

Go to a knife store and play around with a bunch if you can...:thumbsup:
 
SmartCastle7 said:
I recently purchased a used Kershaw Thermite, and I have to say that I'm thoroughly impressed. Fifteen dollars at the local pawn shop. This is my first Hinderer design. I really love the size, assisted flip, and spanto tip. The lockup is awesome and it has a very satisfying snap when opened. I don't like the scales particularly... more specifically the pattern on them. I also don't like the thumb studs, too long. My question is... if I really like this knife what knife would I fall in love with? I'd like better blade steel and possibly more hardware options. Any suggestions or recommendations are welcome. I'd like to stay below $100.00 if possible.
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Are you looking for a framelock in particular? Do you want it assisted? (Most people feel the best flipping action is unassisted on ball bearings)

I suggest either looking at Kizer’s catalog or better yet check out the used section of this forum. There are ZTs that pop up there for around 100$ sometimes. There is the ZT566 which is abit shorter at 3.25 inch blade (vs Thermite’s 3.5) but a much stouter knife. It is a Hinderer design and also assisted. However imho it is not ideal because it is a steel framelock vs most ZTs which are Titanium framelocks. Probably a good idea to browse the used section of the forum and see what you can dig up.

I highly recommend you check out the Massdrop Ferrum Forge Crux which can be found for 125$ and is worth every penny.

Real Steel has some good options for around 100. WE Civivi has unassisted flippers with great actions for under 100$ but they aren’t framelocks.
 
Not sure I have any recs in the under $100 range. But just for fun spitballin'....

I gave away my last Thermite, so I don't have one right here to compare against. But I do remember that it carried very easy, with that long narrow frame/blade. So, as mentioned above, if you are digging the flippers, ZT has that action pretty dialed in. The ZT 0452CF probably carries pretty dang close. Long and narrow with a shortish clip.

A well dialed-in manual flipper on bearings will flip as hard and fast as an assisted opener, if not faster. WE Knife as mentioned above also have some sweet slender flippers. One I'm digging right now is their 811A - Tyche. But just a "we" bit pricier than the budget.

In the unique category, but very fun to flip, are the ZT 0055, and WE 719A.

Oh, and to second another already mentioned, the Massdrop Crux is an amazing knife for the price. A tad shorter blade than the Therm and other models listed, but does make an amazing EDC. With full Ti slabs that are easy to anodize, and pretty decent blade steel, S35VN.

Just realized I deviated completely away from Hinderer designs. So, if you could only have one ZT, the Hinderer designed 0562CF is one that checks many boxes for an all-around do anything blade.

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Lapedog said:
Are you looking for a framelock in particular? Do you want it assisted? (Most people feel the best flipping action is unassisted on ball bearings)

I suggest either looking at Kizer’s catalog or better yet check out the used section of this forum. There are ZTs that pop up there for around 100$ sometimes. There is the ZT566 which is abit shorter at 3.25 inch blade (vs Thermite’s 3.5) but a much stouter knife. It is a Hinderer design and also assisted. However imho it is not ideal because it is a steel framelock vs most ZTs which are Titanium framelocks. Probably a good idea to browse the used section of the forum and see what you can dig up.

I highly recommend you check out the Massdrop Ferrum Forge Crux which can be found for 125$ and is worth every penny.

Real Steel has some good options for around 100. WE Civivi has unassisted flippers with great actions for under 100$ but they aren’t framelocks.
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I have one unassisted flipper, it's a Ganzo Fh11. I just got it today, so I'm not really qualified to have an opinion assisted vs unassisted. lol I am partial to framelocks but it's not an absolute deal-breaker. A really great unassisted flipper might change my mind, but man that blade snapping open is a great feeling.
 
SmartCastle7 said:
I have one unassisted flipper, it's a Ganzo Fh11. I just got it today, so I'm not really qualified to have an opinion assisted vs unassisted. lol I am partial to framelocks but it's not an absolute deal-breaker. A really great unassisted flipper might change my mind, but man that blade snapping open is a great feeling.
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Don’t let the Gazo colour your opinion. A well made flipper on bearings is a true joy. Of course if you like the spring specifically there are knives like the Kershaw Link in m390 which are great folders.

USA made blade has a blue Kershaw Knockout in m390 which is an outstanding subframelock knife with spring assist which is exactly 100$. I highly recommend this knife.

IMG_E8193.jpg
 
Lapedog said:
Are you looking for a framelock in particular? Do you want it assisted? (Most people feel the best flipping action is unassisted on ball bearings)

I suggest either looking at Kizer’s catalog or better yet check out the used section of this forum. There are ZTs that pop up there for around 100$ sometimes. There is the ZT566 which is abit shorter at 3.25 inch blade (vs Thermite’s 3.5) but a much stouter knife. It is a Hinderer design and also assisted. However imho it is not ideal because it is a steel framelock vs most ZTs which are Titanium framelocks. Probably a good idea to browse the used section of the forum and see what you can dig up.

I highly recommend you check out the Massdrop Ferrum Forge Crux which can be found for 125$ and is worth every penny.

Real Steel has some good options for around 100. WE Civivi has unassisted flippers with great actions for under 100$ but they aren’t framelocks.
Click to expand...
Lapedog said:
Don’t let the Gazo colour your opinion. A well made flipper on bearings is a true joy. Of course if you like the spring specifically there are knives like the Kershaw Link in m390 which are great folders.

USA made blade has a blue Kershaw Knockout in m390 which is an outstanding subframelock knife with spring assist which is exactly 100$. I highly recommend this knife.

IMG_E8193.jpg
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That sir is a very attractive knife. The only Kershaw that I ever owned before the Thermite was a little Snap-on tools assisted flipper. I really liked that knife but the blade material left a lot to be desired. I'll have to say that the Thermite has made me want to revisit previous opinions.
 
SmartCastle7 said:
That sir is a very attractive knife. The only Kershaw that I ever owned before the Thermite was a little Snap-on tools assisted flipper. I really liked that knife but the blade material left a
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M390 is pretty much one of the top of the line steel on the market especially for folding knives.

There’s also the Kershaw Bareknuckle which is not out yet but will be out soon if you want to try an unassisted ball bearing flipper. It is abit cheaper. Might want to watch a few youtube vids when it comes out before you buy it but generally these USA made Kershaws (link, knockout, bareknuckle) are on another level and very well made.

Might try watching a few youtube vids of the knockout m390 as well.

Part of the joy of a manual flipper on bearings is how the blade shuts as well as how hard it fires open. Of course there is no spring feeling. Alot of people first getting into knives seem to enjoy assisted openers for a while but eventually move on to prefer manual flippers.
 
I'd look at Kizers if you want to stay in budget, but it might be worth saving up for a 0562CF if you want a knife that is a joy to flick open and closed.
 
For under $100, I'd recommend looking at the Massdrop Ferrum Forge Gent. Bearings, titanium, G-10, S35VN. All nice materials. If you like the assisted opening, check out the House of Blades Kershaws.They have a few exclusives that are nicely upgraded.
 
From what I read, The ideal next step would be one of the more high end assisted Kershaws that hve already been mentioned.

H.O.B. Exclusive Link
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H.O.B. Exclusive Dividend
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USA Made Blade Knockout
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I started with Kershaw assisted flippers Like the blur but quickly moved on to ZT's within the span of a year. Assisted knives have a place but there's nothing more satisfying than a well made non assisted flipper on bearings IMO.
 
Night Rider said:
I started with Kershaw assisted flippers Like the blur but quickly moved on to ZT's within the span of a year. Assisted knives have a place but there's nothing more satisfying than a well made non assisted flipper on bearings IMO.
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I agree, a good flipper deploys just as fast as any assisted opener, they're easier to close, and there's less parts to break.
 
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