Meanwhile in Russia…
Hi everyone!
This is my first review on Bladeforums, it comes with presentation of Flipper 95 “T-patterns” – knife made by Russian top-leader manufactures of folding knives –Shirogorov Brothers, Inc. (SBI). This is modification “T” means the “Turtles” pattern on the handle.
Actually Flipper 95 is the most popular model in the SBI model range. Mine as well.
I’d better start with the name description. Why Flipper 95? That’s quite simple as knife’s blade deployment comes with pulling back the flipper and the blade length is 95 mm (3.75”
The model was introduced in August 2010, started with bare handles and large simple washers. I got my Flipper 95 in spring 2013 and it came with T-pattern on titanium handle scales and ball-bearings system inside.
Knife Specs
General view of a knife from both sides
Opened length – 8.78” (22.3 cm)
Closed length - 5.03” (12.8 cm)
Blade length– 3.75” (9.5 cm)
Blade finish - stonewashed
Blade thickness – 0.157” (4.0 mm)
Blade steel – CPM S35VN (59-60 HRC)
Width – 1.14” (2.29 cm)
Edge length – 3.94” (10.0 cm).
Lock – frame-lock
Handle - stonewashed titanium
Handle thickness – 0.48” (12.2 mm)
Clip – not reversible, tip-up
Weight – 5.1 Oz. (144.5 g)
For better demonstration of the sizes, here is a picture with well-known Buck 110 and Ontario Rat Folder 01. You can see how much of blade we have in relatively same-size handle.
As you see on knife-maker's official web-site there is a pack of handle types for Flipper 95 http://www.shirogorov.com/gallery/flipper/
still I liked T-patterns for its origins, secure grip in hand and nice look.
Let’s have a closer look on the knife!
Handle
I like the bevels and the pattern milling of the handle, those are nicely done. Moreover T-patter gives a sure grip when performing some work, the knife nestles securely in hand, even when you are sweaty. Scales are stonewashed that is rather practical if you mind scratches that can spoil the look.
Pocket clip
The pocket clip 3D design perfectly suits the handle scales. It is fixed to the handle with one screw and a small ball preventing the clip from rotating. It is not really a deep-carry clip, still holds the knife good enough and easy to take off at will.
Blade
The blade has a traditional look, the design is oriented for utilitarian use. Flat grind, 0.4 mm at the edge and nicely tempered powder steel S35VN – all of this provides a perfect cut. The blade managed to perform hair-popping once I received it. Another thing that makes me surprised the length of blade is optimally maximized in closed state reaching the limit the handles could cover – that’s a good knife-maker decision I guess, blade is nicely centered of course.
Flipper
The flipper has bevels as well and three dents for better finger grip. The shape of the flipper grants a nice pull back.
Backspacer standoff
The standoff looks simple and handsome, made of titanium for light weight. Actually pivot and this standoff are the only two things joining the handles together and responsible for making this folder a rock-solid in hand. All hardware is polished as well as the standoff.
Lock
The blade is locked with a frame-lock that provides a rock-solid lock up. On the first versions of Flipper 95 the titanium frame edge was tempered, now they use a steel lock bar insert installed for better performance – the frame has no stuck on the blade heel.
Frame also has the special milling so the thumb is surely positioned on the frame once releasing the blade when closing the knife. In closed state the blade is secured by a ceramic ball installed in the frame.
The ball-bearing system
If we look under the scale we see a single row of bearings totally 17 pcs. in a steel spacer from each side of the handle that provide smoothest glide of a blade when deploying and keeping good transversal load resistance. The blade rabidly deploys once you pull the flipper with a gun-armed sound much alike to the AK-74 if you know what I’m talking about. It has no springs for assisted opening still it deploys more like a rocket rather than my ZT0400 that has one.
Finally I can conclude this is a good EDC-folder for me, rather slim on the pocket, not too heavy, solid in hand, simple in design and construction, providing a good cut. I do like it and it has replaced Spyderco Paramilitary2 and ZT 550 on the pocket. One thing biting here is price – still the premium materials, tuned assemble and origin design are worth every cent here.
PS: If you like my review it will be a pleasure for me to present some other knives of this knife-maker, seems not really shared on the forum.
All the best and a sharp edge,
Dmitry
Hi everyone!
This is my first review on Bladeforums, it comes with presentation of Flipper 95 “T-patterns” – knife made by Russian top-leader manufactures of folding knives –Shirogorov Brothers, Inc. (SBI). This is modification “T” means the “Turtles” pattern on the handle.
Actually Flipper 95 is the most popular model in the SBI model range. Mine as well.
I’d better start with the name description. Why Flipper 95? That’s quite simple as knife’s blade deployment comes with pulling back the flipper and the blade length is 95 mm (3.75”
The model was introduced in August 2010, started with bare handles and large simple washers. I got my Flipper 95 in spring 2013 and it came with T-pattern on titanium handle scales and ball-bearings system inside.
Knife Specs
General view of a knife from both sides
Opened length – 8.78” (22.3 cm)
Closed length - 5.03” (12.8 cm)
Blade length– 3.75” (9.5 cm)
Blade finish - stonewashed
Blade thickness – 0.157” (4.0 mm)
Blade steel – CPM S35VN (59-60 HRC)
Width – 1.14” (2.29 cm)
Edge length – 3.94” (10.0 cm).
Lock – frame-lock
Handle - stonewashed titanium
Handle thickness – 0.48” (12.2 mm)
Clip – not reversible, tip-up
Weight – 5.1 Oz. (144.5 g)
For better demonstration of the sizes, here is a picture with well-known Buck 110 and Ontario Rat Folder 01. You can see how much of blade we have in relatively same-size handle.
As you see on knife-maker's official web-site there is a pack of handle types for Flipper 95 http://www.shirogorov.com/gallery/flipper/
still I liked T-patterns for its origins, secure grip in hand and nice look.
Let’s have a closer look on the knife!
Handle
I like the bevels and the pattern milling of the handle, those are nicely done. Moreover T-patter gives a sure grip when performing some work, the knife nestles securely in hand, even when you are sweaty. Scales are stonewashed that is rather practical if you mind scratches that can spoil the look.
Pocket clip
The pocket clip 3D design perfectly suits the handle scales. It is fixed to the handle with one screw and a small ball preventing the clip from rotating. It is not really a deep-carry clip, still holds the knife good enough and easy to take off at will.
Blade
The blade has a traditional look, the design is oriented for utilitarian use. Flat grind, 0.4 mm at the edge and nicely tempered powder steel S35VN – all of this provides a perfect cut. The blade managed to perform hair-popping once I received it. Another thing that makes me surprised the length of blade is optimally maximized in closed state reaching the limit the handles could cover – that’s a good knife-maker decision I guess, blade is nicely centered of course.
Flipper
The flipper has bevels as well and three dents for better finger grip. The shape of the flipper grants a nice pull back.
Backspacer standoff
The standoff looks simple and handsome, made of titanium for light weight. Actually pivot and this standoff are the only two things joining the handles together and responsible for making this folder a rock-solid in hand. All hardware is polished as well as the standoff.
Lock
The blade is locked with a frame-lock that provides a rock-solid lock up. On the first versions of Flipper 95 the titanium frame edge was tempered, now they use a steel lock bar insert installed for better performance – the frame has no stuck on the blade heel.
Frame also has the special milling so the thumb is surely positioned on the frame once releasing the blade when closing the knife. In closed state the blade is secured by a ceramic ball installed in the frame.
The ball-bearing system
If we look under the scale we see a single row of bearings totally 17 pcs. in a steel spacer from each side of the handle that provide smoothest glide of a blade when deploying and keeping good transversal load resistance. The blade rabidly deploys once you pull the flipper with a gun-armed sound much alike to the AK-74 if you know what I’m talking about. It has no springs for assisted opening still it deploys more like a rocket rather than my ZT0400 that has one.
Finally I can conclude this is a good EDC-folder for me, rather slim on the pocket, not too heavy, solid in hand, simple in design and construction, providing a good cut. I do like it and it has replaced Spyderco Paramilitary2 and ZT 550 on the pocket. One thing biting here is price – still the premium materials, tuned assemble and origin design are worth every cent here.
PS: If you like my review it will be a pleasure for me to present some other knives of this knife-maker, seems not really shared on the forum.
All the best and a sharp edge,
Dmitry
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as T-patterns made them no good actually), slim and ergonomically comfortable in hand, simple and genious at the same time. 
