Small Manual Flippers with 2.25-3.25 inch Blades

In an absent-minded, glancing blow way, I stumbled into a blog authored by an individual. It contained ~ 100 reviews of folders - the above were included.

Single page format, scroll down, small thumbnail pictures of each knife with a few sentences of that knife's review. Click through to full reviews which were ~ 10 paragraphs long. For me, well written, not too technical, very objective. Good primer for those of us learning "folders."

Can you send a link?

Thanks!
 
The Burgh said:
In an absent-minded, glancing blow way, I stumbled into a blog authored by an individual. It contained ~ 100 reviews of folders - the above were included.

Single page format, scroll down, small thumbnail pictures of each knife with a few sentences of that knife's review. Click through to full reviews which were ~ 10 paragraphs long. For me, well written, not too technical, very objective. Good primer for those of us learning "folders."

Can you send a link?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Email sent. Hope it's the one you were looking for.
 
There are three production flippers with 3" blades (or less) that I'm really looking forward to:

  1. LionSteel TRE
  2. Spyderco Ion (Mini Southard)
  3. Zero Tolerance 0900

Any others on the horizon?
 
The Burgh said:
In an absent-minded, glancing blow way, I stumbled into a blog authored by an individual. It contained ~ 100 reviews of folders - the above were included.

Single page format, scroll down, small thumbnail pictures of each knife with a few sentences of that knife's review. Click through to full reviews which were ~ 10 paragraphs long. For me, well written, not too technical, very objective. Good primer for those of us learning "folders."

Can you send a link?

Thanks!
Click to expand...


Dummy me, found it myself. Even a blind squirrel...

http://bladereviews.com/folding-knives/
 
RamZar said:
Nice!

Top to bottom:

  • Hinderer XM-18 Spanto
  • Hinderer XM-18 Slicer
  • Brous Bionic 1.0 or 2.0?
  • Spyderco Domino or Dice?
  • Kizer 3404A3
  • Kershaw Nura 3.0
Click to expand...

Bionic 2.0 love it, awsome knife. And thats a dice with a g10 scale.
 
KyleMS11 said:
Bionic 2.0 love it, awsome knife. And thats a dice with a g10 scale.
Click to expand...

Bionic 2.0 is so much smoother and rounded than 1.0. I have them both.

How do you like the Dice? I've had the Domino since August 2013 and haven't touched it since mostly due to its excess width. It has a great flipper action, nice FFG blade and like all Taichung Spydercos great fit and finish. I may have to try the Dice specially now that you can find it for 50% off MSRP.
 
RamZar, what do you find yourself carrying most often. I love this category and have been happy with a kizer 3404 that I picked up on the exchange.
 
fq55 said:
RamZar, what do you find yourself carrying most often. I love this category and have been happy with a kizer 3404 that I picked up on the exchange.
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Out of all these small flippers, it'd be the Rod Olson Quick Flick which was also sold as M9. Very smooth and narrow flipper with RWL-35 stainless steel, titanium handles with LSCF inlays and button lock. When exercising it's the CRKT Eros 3". If the XM-18 flipped better I'd carry it since it has an excellent design sans flipper.
 
It has been a while since I updated this thread with more of my small flippers with 2.33"-3.25" blade lengths. Pictures to follow once I get a chance and get them together.

For now, maker/model, weight, blade length, blade thickness, blade steel, handle material, lock type and country of origin.

  • Brous Bionic 2.0 Blue/Stonewashed, 2.71 oz., 3.00", 0.125", D2, Aluminum, Liner Lock, USA
  • Andre de Villiers Mini Butcher, 3.96 oz., 3.00", 0.16", CPM-S35VN, Titanium, Frame Lock, South Africa
  • Andre de Villiers Mini TAC-Butcher, 3.96 oz., 3.00", 0.16", CPM-S35VN, Titanium, Frame Lock, South Africa
  • Zero Tolerance 0900, 4.30 oz., 2.75", 0.16", CPM-S35VN, Titanium, Frame Lock, USA
  • Zero Tolerance 0450, 2.90 oz., 3.25", 0.12", CPM-S35VN, Titanium, Frame Lock, USA
  • Zero Tolerance 0808, 4.30 oz., 3.25", 0.16", CPM-S35VN, Titanium, Frame Lock, USA
  • Kizer Gemini, 3.65 oz., 3.125", 0.12", CPM-S35VN, Titanium, Frame Lock, China
  • Calavera Cutlery El Fuego, 3.10 oz., 2.95”, 0.135”, CTS-XHP, Titanium, Frame Lock, USA
  • LionSteel TRE TI, 2.85 oz., 2.875", 0.14", M390, Titanium, Frame Lock, Italy
  • LionSteel TRE CF, 2.37 oz., 2.875", 0.14", M390, CF, Frame Lock, Italy
  • LionSteel TRE G10 Orange, 2.37 oz., 2.875", 0.14", M390, G-10, Frame Lock, Italy
  • Spyderco Positron, 2.60 oz., 3.00", 0.12", CPM-S30V, CF, Liner Lock, Taiwan
  • Burke Hitman Stubby Bronze MEFP, 5.21 oz., 3.25", 0.16", CPM-154, Titanium, Frame Lock, USA
  • Bradford Guardian3 G3F, 4.90 oz., 3.25", 0.16", M390, Titanium, Frame Lock, USA
  • Spyderco Dice, 3.60 oz., 2.50", 0.12", CTS-XHP, CF, Frame Lock, USA
  • Guardian Tactical Helix Nano, 3.74 oz., 3.25", 0.16", CPM-154, CF, Frame Lock, USA
  • Boker Mini Kwaiken TI, 3.89 oz., 3.00", 0.125", VG-10, Titanium, Liner Lock, China
  • Viper Kyomi CF/Satin, 4.30 oz., 3.125", 0.15", N690Co, CF, Frame Lock, Italy
 
Companies need to start comming out with more 3inch flippers. Like someone said earlier in the thread, there arent nearly enough 3inch non assisted flippers out there. Wish ZT would come out with a mini 0562.
 
KyleMS11 said:
Companies need to start comming out with more 3inch flippers. Like someone said earlier in the thread, there arent nearly enough 3inch non assisted flippers out there. Wish ZT would come out with a mini 0562.
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Agreed.

Most of the ones I have with blade lengths over 3 inches should have come out at a just under 3 inches to make them legal in more places. You can keep the handle length at 4"-4.25".

A ZT 0562CF Mini with a blade length of just under 3 inches, CTS-204P, CF, Titanium Frame Lock and KVT bearings flipper would sell well.
 
A mini 0562 would be a dream!

I know they have not been released yet but the new titanium flipper Spyderco Mantra 1 and Mantra 2 should be released soon both within your 3.25" requirement.

Brous Blades Turpin Insight
Brous Blades Caliber
Ferrum Forge N-TAC
Quartermaster QTR-6

Does the smock knives mini southard count?
 
Last edited:
stkh22 said:
A mini 0562 would be a dream!

I know they have not been released yet but the new titanium flipper Spyderco Mantra 1 and Mantra 2 should be released soon both within your 3.25" requirement.

Brous Blades Turpin Insight
Brous Blades Caliber
Ferrum Forge N-TAC
Quartermaster QTR-6

Does the smock knives mini southard count?
Click to expand...

Mantra 2 for sure with a 3.20" blade. Mantra has a slightly shorter 3.16" blade.

Most Brous are way overpriced! Turpin looks real nice with a 3" blade but it should be half the asking prices of $399-$439!

I've been going back and forth on the new Ferrum Forge N-TAC. Nice small size with a 3" blade, bearings flipper and steel lock bar insert. However, it gives you a basic N690Co steel for $515! Regardless, I'd take that any day over a Brous.

Not interested in anything from Quartermaster.

The Smock Southard is intriguing and many swear by them. However, at $500 for a CF version it's pricey and warranty only through Smock.
 
One that was missed was the Boker Trance. 2.75" blade and an excellent performer. Scary thing is the 42 non-locking version, even with its half-stop, opens as fast as the locking version, either with the flipper or the studs.
 
I've been eyeing this Brad Zinker frame lock flipper for a while (around $500)
2.875" CPM-154 blade. 6.375" OAL. Weight 1.51 ozs.

Borrowed pic from the web.
M98Z1R8.gif
 
grybsh7 said:
I've been eyeing this Brad Zinker frame lock flipper for a while (around $500)
2.875" CPM-154 blade. 6.375" OAL. Weight 1.51 ozs.

Borrowed pic from the web.
M98Z1R8.gif
Click to expand...

The Brad Zinker designs are all very nice and light in weight no matter frame lock or liner lock. He has several with 3" blades that are either narrower or wider and frame lock vs. liner lock. Many prefer not to have all those holes in the titanium frame so there's the liner lock CF models. All weigh around 1.5 ounces. Definitely worth another look but I've never managed to pull the trigger.
 
RamZar, how's the flipping action on the TRE and Kyomi? Been looking to get a new flipper in that size and price range, but I've heard mixed opinions on the TRE's flipping action, while I've heard basically nothing about the Kyomi.
 
How about something on the low end price-wise, but which I think is an excellent sturdy, compact, work knife; CRKT's "No Time Off"; a super smooth manual flipper, with a 3 inch blade.
 
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