Smallest one hand opener?

[Nsled]

What's the smallest reliable simple to use one hand opening knife?

Is there any reliable flipper that has the size of say a case mini trapper?

From what I understand flippers rely on blade weight to open so you don't see the more traditional knife shapes, but what comes the closest?.

 

[jmgruber]

Civivi Mini Elementum is close and from what I have seen can be operated with one hand.

 

[WValtakis]

Smallest flipper I've seen is the Rike Hummingbird...crazy small.

 

[GIRLYmann]

 

[Danke42]

X Force is how small your hands are.

 

[kobold]

Ladybug? Not a flipper, but OHO.

 

[Hal]

Kershaw Scallion is roughly the same size as the Case Mini.
I love mine.

The Kershaw Chive is smaller.

Both are assisted. I know the Scallion is a super easy to open assisted flipper.
I don't have a Chive (yet) -so - I can't speak for that one

 

[knoefz]

Spyderco has a bunch of "tiny big knives"... I like the sSqueek, but also the Manbug and Ladybug are very nice nd capable knives imho, or the grasshopper if you want it even smaller. The Positron is a nice and small flipper.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

Bestech Goblin is the smallest that I've been able to confidently and comfortably use.

 

[Dergyll]

Drop Gent is the exact size of my hand (no lanyard attachment on that knife).

Dragonfly is a wee bit small
Delica is just right
Native 5 is just right +1
Elementum is just right +1
CJRB Maileah is too small
Rat 2 is just right

 

[TimmyJ]

Boos Blades Mini Smoke or the Boker Petite Urban Trapper are both reliable little knives.

 

[OrangeBlueOrangeBlue]

Smallest that I know of is the Ferrum Forge Micro Fortis (3.64" overall), which is 0.11" shorter than the Rike Hummingbird.

A Case Mini Trapper isn't particularly small, with a 3.5" handle and a 6.25" overall length. If you're looking for those approximate dimensions and not the absolute smallest, the Kizer Laconico Yorkie is a good option, with the Civivi Odium and Ferrum Forge Mini Archbishop (made by Civivi) being good less expensive options.

 

[BillZee]

My biggest problem with small folding knives has been one handed opening..........I 'll have to check out some of the suggested knives.
Great choice of topic.

 

[Bob Denman]

Spyderco has a bunch of "tiny big knives"... I like the sSqueek, but also the Manbug and Ladybug are very nice nd capable knives imho, or the grasshopper if you want it even smaller. The Positron is a nice and small flipper.

Agreed...
And the ManBug is aa one-hander!

 

[tony281sc2]

Kershaw Scallion is roughly the same size as the Case Mini.
I love mine.

The Kershaw Chive is smaller.

Both are assisted. I know the Scallion is a super easy to open assisted flipper.
I don't have a Chive (yet) -so - I can't speak for that one

Agreed. The scallions are great, well built (USA) knives. I have pretty big hands and have no problem with deployment or getting a decent grip on the handle. Nice Ken Onion design.
I do own a chive and IMO it’s too small to use for anything except maybe a letter opener.

 

[splinterprone]

The Kershaw Ember is a tiny flipper. I like the concept but it's a cheap knife. The nylon washers look like the were cut out of a plastic sheet with an X-Acto knife.

I apologize for not having a picture of it assembled because I don't feel like putting it back together again

 

[kobold]

My smallest Ti framelock:

Böker Subcom.

 

[Chronovore]

I've gotten pretty good at thumb-flicking the Spyderco Dragonfly. That's not quite as satisfying as a flipper or thumb stud knife with the right geometry and detent strength. I normally prefer that. However, the Wharncliffe Dragonfly is otherwise amazing as a small utility folder. It's good enough to have dominated that size slot in my EDC rotation.

Beyond that, here are a couple of small and inexpensive Kubey knives in D2. They don't have clips. They just sort of drop into a pocket. A strong detent keeps them closed. The one with the flipper is fairly awkward for me but I have long fingers and some hand issues. The one with thumb studs is much easier, more comfortable to use, and has a better blade shape for me.

 

[timberweasel]

A pair of G.Sakai Money Clip folders...

 

[The Grendels]

Probably the smallest I've seen are the Coin Claw Knives. There are a ton of Chinese knock-offs of this design, but here is a link about the original and another link for someone making their own:

A little larger are the Civivi Baby Banter, for the people who though that the WE Banter was too big. I have an idea that if I tried to flick open a Baby Banter with my meaty hands there's the same chance of it opening as flying across the room.