Smoothest opening ball bearing manual flipper?

The smoothest flipper I have is the Shirogorov/Sinkevich Sigma which is that much better because of how small the flipper tab is. The other Shiros I own are smooth but this is the smoothest. The A2 A3 I have is definitely the fastest flipper due to the firm detent. Other notable mentions are the two Reates I had, the Wave and the GSD, the Giant Mouse Ace Biblio and the Zt 0562. The latter was my first manual flipper and it shocked that it wasn't an automatic.
 
evilgreg said:
I have owned three Shiros and while they were smooth, they were in fact definitely 100% not any more free falling than my Buck Marksman, or many other knives I own for that matter (e.g. my CKF Milk, my MicroSuck Mini 777, er, Mini Matrix, etc.). I'm not a fan of the Marksman--the bounce back on a missed flip was just too disturbing for me--but I have never handled a knife that had less friction closing than that knife. the backstrap lock system thing combined with bearings just make it more free swinging than any framelock can. The closest thing to the Marksman I have experienced is on a custom using IKBS made by Jason Clark.

I will say this about the Shiros I've handled, they've all had both very smooth action and strong enough detents to flip well, which is a delicate balance that a lot of makers fail to consistently hit.

My own actual preference is not free-falling blades, FWIW. If a blade will fall shut I usually try to crank the pivot down a bit to see if I can get it to require a wiggle or two to close while still snapping open with authority.
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I recognize the Marksman is kind of in a different catagory though, more akin to button/axis/etc. type locks where there is no detent rubbing on the blade. I guess that’s why I say they are on a different level than the Marksman which is an exceptionally free actioned knife.

Btw I’m positive there are many flipper framelock (the only knife that matters these days it seems) knives that are as smooth and smoother than the Shiros, I was only comparing them to say ZTs or WEs which are often credited with being free droppers.

I actually also prefer my knives not to free drop as I like to be in control of the closing process.
 
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Mo2 said:
Real Steel Megalodon. 2017 or 2018 versions.
He explained the action of it well. By he I mean R RBid
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Idk I’ve compared many Megalodons vs the Shiros and again the Shiros were on another level. Both the BB and roller bearing versions.

To be fair though I have played with them in the store when considering buying them and didn’t get a chance to take them home and tune the action and apply better lube in an effort to bring them to their full smoothness potential. Whereas the Shiros I am referencing were a friend’s knives which certainly were given this type of treatment. From what I saw the Meg seemed pretty comparable to my 452 or WE knives.

Maybe the Meg does have the potential to be an outstanding knife. If even cheap Sanrenmus are anything to go by I wouldn’t be surprised. Some of the smoothest knives I have ever seen have unfortunately been Sanrenmu 910 Lands (sebenza clones) which really blew me away with their stupid good action that was superior to my ZTs (452, 560, 562, 801)

I am ashamed to even post that and it hurts me to do so.
 
Lapedog said:
Idk I’ve compared many Megalodons vs the Shiros and again the Shiros were on another level. Both the BB and roller bearing versions.

To be fair though I have played with them in the store when considering buying them and didn’t get a chance to take them home and tune the action and apply better lube in an effort to bring them to their full smoothness potential. Whereas the Shiros I am referencing were a friend’s knives which certainly were given this type of treatment. From what I saw the Meg seemed pretty comparable to my 452 or WE knives.

Maybe the Meg does have the potential to be an outstanding knife. If even cheap Sanrenmus are anything to go by I wouldn’t be surprised. Some of the smoothest knives I have ever seen have unfortunately been Sanrenmu 910 Lands (sebenza clones) which really blew me away with their stupid good action that was superior to my ZTs (452, 560, 562, 801)

I am ashamed to even post that and it hurts me to do so.
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I mean I'd love a shiro too. But those prices... Not saying it's not worth it, but I'd have to save for a while to get one and for what. If I had to do it again I'd make it my first.

However the action on the megladon when flipping open is what the op is looking for.

And you should be ashamed... But that's already been discussed.
 
Mo2 said:
Real Steel Megalodon. 2017 or 2018 versions.
He explained the action of it well. By he I mean R RBid
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Thank you, Mo2.

To the group, regarding what is “smooth”: the main reason for my insistence on describing the properties of an action in specific ways is because “smooth” is a word that apparently means different things to different people.
 
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Mo2 said:
I mean I'd love a shiro too. But those prices... Not saying it's not worth it, but I'd have to save for a while to get one and for what. If I had to do it again I'd make it my first.

However the action on the megladon when flipping open is what the op is looking for.

And you should be ashamed... But that's already been discussed.
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I am super ashamed. Self flogging right now.

C2jX5erXcAE_eAS.jpg
 
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My Brown Knives Servo V2 has the best action of any knife I own. Beats out my Shirogorov's and recent production Grimsmo Norseman.
 
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HikingIsLife said:
My Brown Knives Servo V2 has the best action of any knife I own. Beats out my Shirogorov's and recent production Grimsmo Norseman.
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Yes the Servo my friend has is outstanding. Rumour has it that it uses alien technology from the future for its pivot.
 
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I have two zt ball bearing flippers and my buck marksman flips faster than either one of them.
 
I think just about any ball bearing folder.

The first one I tried just blew my mind. It was the humble Honey Badger. Biggest one. The blade didn't open particularly quickly, but it was for this reason that I could HEAR the bearings in action. What a cool sound!

It could be made to open more quickly if it had a stronger detent, but then it would be harder on the finger.

I also liked that the locking liner was not too stiff. Just a light but deliberate push and it's unlocked and the blade is gliding closed. Better watch your thumb!

I can't say that the actions any BETTER than that of a good bronze washer action, but there is definitely something special about a ball bearing pivot.
 
All of my WE's are incredibly smooth. But i think the two ZT's i own beat everything else for smoothness. The 0470 falls just from disengaging the framelock. My thumb has many lines in the nail from playing around with it.

Edit: Immediately after typing this, i come very close to receiving a love bite from my Artisan cutlery Archeo. So yeah, that might also be a contender.
 
DrRollinstein said:
All of my WE's are incredibly smooth. But i think the two ZT's i own beat everything else for smoothness. The 0470 falls just from disengaging the framelock. My thumb has many lines in the nail from playing around with it.

Edit: Immediately after typing this, i come very close to receiving a love bite from my Artisan cutlery Archeo. So yeah, that might also be a contender.
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I was curious about artisan cutlery knives. They have some at decent prices for what they are. Never had much experience with them.

Any feedback appreciated......
 
For speed I'd choose a lighter blade. The WE Knife Practic and Wisp are top contenders for smoothness and speed. They also have a very crisp detent when opening.
 
My one and only flipper is the Bestech Swordfish. My knife expert friends went out and got one after I showed them mine. Really nice value knife for $52.
 
Winch said:
My one and only flipper is the Bestech Swordfish. My knife expert friends went out and got one after I showed them mine. Really nice value knife for $52.
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Bestech Paladin and Lion are also *very* smooth flippers and fall-shut.

Reate Horizon-D I would put up there too :)
 
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