Small Manual Flippers with 2.25-3.25 inch Blades

I like small flippers, but I don't have that many of them because I mostly carry knives that are around 3.5", just beyond the range you specified.

I do the same with my titanium Eros, when I can find it. The damn thing is so light I've lost it repeatedly. The Eros and Benchmade 530 are so light you can play tennis or run or whatever with them in the pocket of your gym shorts and never know they were there.

So true about the CRKT Eros Ti. If it was a boxer it'd be a flyweight! :)

It's also very resistant to corrosion. After taking it apart the only rust spots I've seen are around the steel standoffs.
 
I got into small manual flippers nearly 4 years ago. I keep getting new ones so it keeps the thread fresh and relative.

I haven't had much for small flippers. I sold my BM 300 Axis Flipper over a year ago. I'd added Cuscadi Burlwood scales to it in a attempt to love it more, but in the end let it go as my hands and the finger choils were not compatible.

I traded away my small Seb 21 for cash and a ZT0450 and like that one pretty well. Though obviously not a flipper, I couldn't get a good grip on the small Seb and didn't want to have that much tied up in a knife that was a bad fit. The 0450 is longer in handle but kinda skinny for these old hands, but is a good mate for my 0452CF and I'm more comfortable with a not-often used knife in the $150 range.

I've got 4 bigger Shiros and have been tempted often to give the Neon a whirl. I even posted an "I'll take it" once, but just missed out as the knife had sold by PM. I ended up putting that money and more into my beloved and much-bigger 95T that I can hardly put down some days.

I'll follow up on the Skaha and let y'all know how it works out. Happy New Year, Ram and All!

Edit: Oh yeah, it's funny, I checked out your Exchange listings at your signature and realized I'd almost pulled the trigger on one of your TREs back when.
 
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Added a couple more:

  • Kizer Guru Flipper (3" S35VN)
  • Boker Mini Kwaiken Carbon Fiber Smokewash (3" VG-10)

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The past year I've carried the following at least 90% of the time. They're all bearings flippers, 3" blade lengths, weigh under 4 ounces, titanium frames and all are titanium frame locks except for the Olson which is a button lock.

  • Todd Begg Steelcraft Mini Bodega (S35VN, 3.85 oz.)
  • Kizer Mini Intrepid (M390, 3.06 oz.)
  • Olson M9/Quick Flick (RWL-34, 3.15 oz.)
  • LionSteel TRE TI Blue (M390, 2.92 oz.)
  • CRKT Eros TI (Acuto+, 1.59 oz.) - just when exercising due to light weight

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I just picked up a used Reate Wave. At 3.375" it's a little big for this thread but it's a great knife and doesn't feel big in pocket. I took some time and removed the anodizing on the scales and on the pivot screws. It has a similar profile to the TRE now that I think about it but is obviously slightly bigger and has great action.
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I just picked up a used Reate Wave. At 3.375" it's a little big for this thread but it's a great knife and doesn't feel big in pocket. I took some time and removed the anodizing on the scales and on the pivot screws. It has a similar profile to the TRE now that I think about it but is obviously slightly bigger and has great action.

Reate Wave would've been ideal with a 3" blade. It has a nice slim profile and under 4 ounces weight.
 
That is a gorgeous Olson Ram!! Real nice clean lines!
Joe

Thanks. It has stood the test of time as well.

Both the Olson M9 and Eros are from Summer 2013 and are still amongst a handful of my most carried folders.
 
My latest is the Factor Absolute 1 from China. It has a 2.9" blade of M390, smooth ceramic bearings, steel lock bar insert and titanium. It weighs just 2.95 ounces. It came with zippered pouch and cleaning cloth all for $172. I can even open it using the blade hole. Some small issues: proprietary screws although flat head works (a tool is provided), it wasn't very sharp and handle is prone to scratches. I've been carrying it exclusively for a week now and really enjoying it.

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That one is screaming to be modded RZ!! Looks like an ice do it all knife!
I like the clip. How does it ride your pocket?? Action smooth?? Probably is! How's it flip??
Seems like a winner for that price AND M390.
Joe
 
That one is screaming to be modded RZ!! Looks like an ice do it all knife!
I like the clip. How does it ride your pocket?? Action smooth?? Probably is! How's it flip??
Seems like a winner for that price AND M390.
Joe

I'm not much into modding and prefer understated looks. The clip gives a very secure snug pocket hold. It takes up very little space in the pocket and at under 3 ounces it's a featherweight. Very smooth operation and fairly strong detent. Nice blade and handle jimping.
 
Thanks for the quick reply brother!
Really sweet looking. Enjoy it!
I really like that blade profile and the hex shaped lanyard hole.
 
Don't forget about front flippers. I just got my first, a Gareth Bull Shamwari, and even without bearings it flips well and is a great overall knife. It comes in two sizes right around 3 inches. There's an updated version with M390 and bearings too.
 
And Custom Knife Factory just released the DCPT-4, a smaller version of the popular Decepticon, which is a flipper measuring in at 3 inches, bearings, M390. Love the blade shape but the handle doesn't do it for me:
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My new ZT 0450G10 (3.25" blade of S35VN) is at the bottom.

  1. 0450 (CPM-S35VN)
  2. 0450CF (CPM-S35VN)
  3. 0450SIG (CPM-S35VN)
  4. 0450CFZDP (ZDP-189)
  5. 0450G10 (CPM-S35VN)

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My new ZT 0450G10 (3.25" blade of S35VN) is at the bottom.

  1. 0450 (CPM-S35VN)
  2. 0450CF (CPM-S35VN)
  3. 0450SIG (CPM-S35VN)
  4. 0450CFZDP (ZDP-189)
  5. 0450G10 (CPM-S35VN)

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You need the blue anodized version from USA Made Blades to complete that collection. Seriously though, that is a nice 0450 collection! I'm jealous, especially of the SIG model that I don't think we can get here in Canada.
 
You need the blue anodized version from USA Made Blades to complete that collection. Seriously though, that is a nice 0450 collection! I'm jealous, especially of the SIG model that I don't think we can get here in Canada.

Thanks.

The USA Made Blade ones are after-market anodization. I like to keep it to just the factory standard ones.

0450SIG can only be ordered through the SIG store in the U.S. and unfortunately they do not ship internationally.
 
Thanks.

The USA Made Blade ones are after-market anodization. I like to keep it to just the factory standard ones.

0450SIG can only be ordered through the SIG store in the U.S. and unfortunately they do not ship internationally.
Yeah, I knew it was aftermarket but I really like the look on the 0450.

I really wanted the SIG model (still do truth be told) so went for the carbon fiber model. Absolutely love it! I hope to see more interesting 0450 sprint runs or exclusives in the future.

On a different note, have you seen the Factor Bit?
 
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