Small Manual Flippers with 2.25-3.25 inch Blades

The photo is Trevor's as unfortunately this knife is living in South Africa at the moment. I've got the identical non flipping, thumb stud version with me here - both are brilliant! I'm not wild about Trevor's clips so both of mine are clipless.[/QUOTE]

How do you like that knife? Burger was one of the flippers I was looking at.
 
LAtraffic said:
How do you like that knife? Burger was one of the flippers I was looking at.
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Neither of my Burger flippers (I have a Dakar as well) are with me right now but the Atlas with the thumb stud is a fantastic knife, smooth as silk and it has a regular spot in my rotation. In fact all 7 Burgers I have are very well made and a pleasure to use. I like N690, YMMV. Trevor is a great guy to deal with as well.
 
stevekolt said:
I have owned this one also. I would urge you to see how they ALL feel in hand to you, but the BM 300 felt very unbalanced/uncomfortable to me. YMMV...
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Is that why they aren't popular?

The 300 looks nice to me from photos, but that kind of user feedback is a little more weighty.
 
mazman said:
But how does it flip is the question.... waitiing for reviews before I buy one.
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I just purchased the Kyomi full TI

Very well built piece, centered, razor sharp thick blade, awesome click at open and close.
Flips open pretty good with one hand. Needs a little wrist flick at times.
It may need to be broken in a bit.
Locks up perfectly.
 
NG VI said:
Is that why they aren't popular?

The 300 looks nice to me from photos, but that kind of user feedback is a little more weighty.
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I think the Benchmade 300 Butch Ball flipper took a big hit because Nutnfancy slammed it pretty heavily in his review after raving about it in preview. Like him or not, lots of people are influenced by his carry requirements and philosophy. And the knife does fall short in some areas that are very important to Nutn and many other users; weight vs. usable blade length. Weighing almost 5 ounces with a blade just a hair over 3" kills it for a lot of knife knuts. Also, for the chunkiness of the handle, there's not a lot of room to get a full 4 finger grip. I have fairly slender hands and there's just barely enough room for me.

All that being said, I like my 300. It's not my favorite flipper, but it finds its way into my pockets from time to time. As someone already said, it's one of those knives you really need to feel in hand. Most people either love it or hate it, there isn't much middle ground on this one. I like to have it because it's one of the more affordable, legitimate incarnations of the Axis Lock paired with flipper deployment. It's certainly in the ballpark with other flipper offerings from non-flipper companies like the Southard and Domino. The same reasons people slam the Benchmade could certainly be thrown at the Domino although it rarely falls under such criticism.
 
I really like the size and weight of my TRE g10, but the flipping is so-so.
I wish the detent were juuuust a little stronger.
I traded for it and the pivot screw kept coming loose, so I had to loc-tite it.
I have it just loose enough where there's no blade play, but it still flips nicely.
Except it's not centered when closed.
If I tighten the pivot screw enough that the blade is centered it doesn't flip for crap.
The centering is only mildly annoying. Still an awesome knife...


 
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^^^ That is what is holding me back from getting my hands on a TRE. I keep reading they are great, but then I read all the complaints about flipping action and blade centering.
 
mazman said:
But how does it flip is the question.... waitiing for reviews before I buy one.
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From the video I watched on Bladehq, it looks like the Vox Kyomi flips well. I think ramzar has one, maybe he can shine some light on how he likes it.
 
Apologies for the delay in posting. I'm waiting for the Viper Kyomi CF/Satin and the Spyderco Mantra2 to arrive.

I'm somewhat disappointed in the flipping action of the LionSteel TRE TI. It's on the mild side mostly due to a compromise in getting it to function well with the thumb disc as well. No excuses! Regardless, it's a great little classy light folder with M390 and 3D TI milling. I really like it and carry it often but would've loved it with a stronger detent.

I've also been vacillating on getting a Ferrum Forge N-TAC small flipper. Great specs but the N690 steel combined with the $515 price have sidelined me thus far.
 
flash900 said:
Follow-up -- I waited a year for the Kershaw Nura 3.0 and also got the 3.5 inch model, the 3.5.

My 3.0 was a POS - off-centered with cheap screws that strip when you try to use. The dealer said he had similar complaints from other buyers.

The larger model had no issues but is too large for this roundup.
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I had fairly good luck with my Kershaw Nura 3.0 KVT flipper but I believe it was a fluke! Right size, shape, and price even with the weighty stainless steel frame lock. If this model is fixed and/or upscaled to ZT performance I'd be ecstatic!
 
flash900 said:
The Positron is my favorite Spydie of 2015.

It's small, light-weight, feels great in my hand, and is barely noticeable in my pocket.

I bought a second.

I can open and close both Positrons easily and, most of the time, use the small Spydie hole to open the blade with my thumb. I like a flipper that I can also open manually.

:)
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Positron was exciting to anticipate but a little disappointing on delivery. It was like there was a disconnect in design. Mind you, I really like it but it could've been stellar! The access to the lock bar is too cumbersome and there are too many sharp points on the bottom of the CF.

A 2.0 version will be a killer.
 
showtime240 said:
the ZT 0900 has not been mentioned

also the Viper Odino
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ZT 0900 is a GREAT manual bearings flipper with a 2.75" blade of S35VN! It was included in a previous post. I think with pictures all will become more clear.

Viper Odino rides on bearings but doesn't have a flipper tab. The new Viper Kyomi does...
 
Hackenslash said:
This range of 2.33-3.25 inches is were I usually live for EDC too. Working in an office environment doesn't really lend itself to whipping out the Large Espada, lol

Don't forget the Southern Grind Spider Monkey! At 3.25 compact inches, it may be my favorite knife of 2015.

Another good option is the ZT 0808. Again, at 3.25" but if you buy from USA Made Blade, they've got some beautiful anodize options for no additional charge!

Finally, the Kizer Gemini at 3.125" is a great knife...available in Ti or the new Vanguard budget line with G10 scales. That Kizer Gemini Vanguard may be the best value in knives out there right now! I can't wait to get my hands on one.

When Reate finally gets around to a 3" blade, I think it'll be a "must have".

Ooops, I forgot for a minute that the Spider Monkey wasn't a flipper. It's so effortless with thumb studs, it's easy to forget
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Well, the Todd Begg Steelcraft Mini Bodega made by Reate is coming with a 3" blade of S35VN. It will be a dandy because I have the Steelcraft Kwaiken and it's soooo smooth. Pricey though at $445!
 
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I don't consider the Benchmade 300 series real flippers! I have all the various models.

However, Benchmade finally got serious about REAL flippers and they have several models coming out next year (2016).
 
stkh22 said:
^^^ That is what is holding me back from getting my hands on a TRE. I keep reading they are great, but then I read all the complaints about flipping action and blade centering.
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Holy cow! I just got my first ZT0450 in the mail and the flipping action on this puts the TRE g10 (which is supposed to have a better detent than the original TRE) to absolute shame!
This ZT is what I was hoping the TRE g10 would be in terms of size, weight, and flipping.
It's slightly longer, a decent bit more solid feeling, and flips like a rocket.

With the Lionsteel, I feel like I'm trying to shove it open. Requires a good bit of technique.
The ZT feels like it's got a torsion bar in it. It flies open like a Leek.
 
arskrg said:
Holy cow! I just got my first ZT0450 in the mail and the flipping action on this puts the TRE g10 (which is supposed to have a better detent than the original TRE) to absolute shame!
This ZT is what I was hoping the TRE g10 would be in terms of size, weight, and flipping.
It's slightly longer, a decent bit more solid feeling, and flips like a rocket.

With the Lionsteel, I feel like I'm trying to shove it open. Requires a good bit of technique.
The ZT feels like it's got a torsion bar in it. It flies open like a Leek.
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This is exactly what I have been reading, I have the 0808 and it puts many of my other flippers with ball bearings to shame. I know its a tad heavier than the 0450 but I liked the styling and blade better on the 0808. Even with the new Kizer Gemini on CERAMIC ball bearings doesn't even come close to how smooth my 0808 is. Heck both my 0550 on bronze washers are smoother than my Gemini. Sad to hear about the Lionsteel TRE because it looks so darn good. IMO the styling is perfect on the TRE, but I will put that on hold while I try out all the new offerings for 2016.

Have to admit when it comes to flippers, ZT has it down cold compared many of the big production knife companies. Not saying they make the perfect flipper knife, they come close. ZT still needs to work on slicing ability of their blades and I know some people have gripes about how holding most ZT flippers and having your fingers rest on the lock bar prevents the knife from deploying. Personally, I have learned to hold my flippers and not have my fingers touch the the lockbar, but to each their own. Now if ZT can just make a mini 3" blade version of the 0562 they would have a true solid winner.
 
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RamZar said:
Apologies for the delay in posting. I'm waiting for the Viper Kyomi CF/Satin and the Spyderco Mantra2 to arrive.

I'm somewhat disappointed in the flipping action of the LionSteel TRE TI. It's on the mild side mostly due to a compromise in getting it to function well with the thumb disc as well. No excuses! Regardless, it's a great little classy light folder with M390 and 3D TI milling. I really like it and carry it often but would've loved it with a stronger detent.

I've also been vacillating on getting a Ferrum Forge N-TAC small flipper. Great specs but the N690 steel combined with the $515 price have sidelined me thus far.
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Agreed, not to mention the price of the Ferrum Forge Stinger Flipper @ a $915 street price... Both the N-Tac and stinger look great, but lil too rich for my blood.

Please let me know how you like the Mantra2, I saw a few vendors got them on the 30th and were sold out in minutes.
 
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