Smoothest ZT or sub $250 Flipper 2016

I really wish they had the 450 in CF with a Satin blade. The 0450CFZDP that I found is too expensive :/
 
Lord_Balkan said:
I really wish they had the 450 in CF with a Satin blade. The 0450CFZDP that I found is too expensive :/
Click to expand...

You could make your own. Before they offered the CF versions I put this one together:

24814466691_10bed9cb77_k.jpg
 
NjMS said:
Does the ZT 0450CF flip as well as the original titanium ZT 0450?
I'm assuming everyone recommending the 0450 is generalising on the model as a whole.

Man this flipper addiction is turning expensive. I think I've allocated about 3 months of knife funds now. Patience.... I must have patiences... (or not get caught by the wife by CC statement intercept at mail box 😁)

Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

You think it's bad now?
Wait 'til you try some of the "Top tier" stuff.
Begg Knives, Andre Thorburn, Shirogorov etc.
Starting at like $650, and the rabbit hole just gets DEEPER still.:eek:
 
Lord_Balkan said:
How do I go about doing that?
Click to expand...

Order an aftermarket CF scale from Nyfstyle. They're affordable and a little better quality than the stock ZT ones. I way prefer a modded 0450 than the black, tacticool blade on the 0450cf.
 
Hackenslash said:
Order an aftermarket CF scale from Nyfstyle. They're affordable and a little better quality than the stock ZT ones. I way prefer a modded 0450 than the black, tacticool blade on the 0450cf.
Click to expand...

Can you possibly link to where I can buy the scales or send me a PM?

Thanks
 
The Kizer Gemini I have is the smoothest. The 0450 is faster, more reliable, and has a much better detent strength but feels like it's not really gritty but not really smooth either. The Gemini feels like there's less grit. The 0450 is a lighter feel and is closer to closing under its own weight but the Gemini feels like less is going on when it moves.
 
As usual, I'm late to the party....again. ;) OP, have you landed on a model yet?

Yes, the flipping habit can be pretty brutal...especially with a bit of ocd in the mix. I have a bunch of them, and during my frenzy acquire phase, it just seemed like each new one was better than the last. So I just kept buying. Of the ZT's my favorites are the 562CF, and 456. With the 456 edging out as the most fun to flip. It's solid, locks up solid, smooth as lightning, and the lock is fat and faceted, so it's very pleasant and easy to disengage. That fat boy has been in my pocket pretty much every day since purchase.

But my knife with the most full flips on the action, is my Kizer Ki3452. It's not in the same class as the ZT0456, but those bearings (ceramic maybe?) are just butter smooth. With the light blade and uber smooth pivot, the detent does not need any significant holding power to roll the blade out to full lockup without fail. It still gets carried occasionally, but now have others I like better for EDC. But it does sit by my bed, and an hour long tv show may add a few hundred new flips to it's action. I've lost count of how many thousands of times it's been flipped, but still butter smooth. Proof that the action will not wear out from hard flips in any normal lifetime of normal use. :)
 
Sorry all. I started a reply yesterday and didn't finish it.

I've a Kizer Ursa Minor in my pocket today, local purchase used and dirt cheap. I was surprised in a good way when that popped up and I jumped straight on it. It's very smick. I have a Gemini inbound but will probably keep the Ursa Minor with the slightly heavier blade. It's so smooth. My impressions so far on the Kizers are very high. I'll be keeping an eye on these in the future as I think they are great bang for buck.

I will be buying a ZT0450CF in about 2 weeks.

I did have for 24hrs a ZT 0804CF but you know what, I sold it on almost straight away. Just didn't gel with me like my 0562CF & 0095BW do. Weird I know as I'd been lusting over a 0804CF for a while. Oh well, I didn't loose any funds so all good.

I'm eyeing off the ZT 0900 too now for a chunky pocket friend. I never got the whole Spyderco Techno rage.... So maybe the flipper version will sway me 😁.

I'm on the fence with the 0456 as it's larger than I thought (going off youtube). Might drop coin on a 0900 and see what I think from there.

Been strangely looking at a Lionsteel TRE G10 as the FFG and M390 are very enticing. I'm reading/watching mixed reports on the G10 version having better detent for flipping. So still on the fence. It would be a great summer blade with its lightweight. But once I get my 0450CF that itch might be scratched.... Probably not 😁

I'd like to thank everyone who responded. Awesome community here.

Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk
 
I would really like to add a Techno and a zt900. But another one that gets opened and closed A LOT is not a flipper, but the little Chaparral. I don't know why, but I just really like the smooth rollout and "click" at lockup. And the size is small enough that it just stays almost unseen in my palm.

Because of this, the Sage 5 "compression lock" is really high on my list. I do also spend a bunch of time flicking the PM2. Again no flipping tab, but "flicks" hard and fast effortlessly.



•••••••••••••••

Sent from my mind....using Tap-a-Thought. (tm)
 
So I landed a used ZT0450CF today in a trade. So far my impressions are it flips like a gunshot. I don't even think you could misfire this knife. But.....yes there is a but... It is smooth but the strong detent requires a decent force on the flipper to get the blade out (no I'm not pushing the lock bar). I'm going to keep playing with it but so far my Kizer Ursa Minor and ZT0562CF have it in spades over the 0450CF for ease of flipping, smooth action and zero flipper finger soreness. At a guess the 0450CF requires double what the other flippers I have to fire the blade out. Like I said I'll keep playing and it might start to ease a little. Maybe I'll get used to it but it's different to any of my other knives. The action is smooth like my other KVT folders so no complaints there on closing etc.


Does the 0900 have a strong detent like the 0450CF. Or is it more like the 0562CF /0095BW or a Kizer.

Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk
 
Insipid Moniker said:
Skip frame or liner locks if you want smooth. Both create an inherent pinch point. Buck 830 Marksman and Freeman 451 BLF are the two smoothest production flippers I've handled.
Click to expand...

+2

The Buck 830 Marksman -- and I would've NEVER thought this beforehand -- is the smoothest production flipper I've handled. I bought the SKBlades exclusive in OD green G10 and s35vn.

I've had a ton of production flippers go through my hands over the last several years. I've had both titanium and Vanguard series Kizers (Gemini/Intrepid/Kyre), as well as numerous ZT flippers (801/808/450/452/456/562), and the Marksman outflips them all. It's definitely an addictive flipper, LOL. The detent is a bit light, and (effortlessly) disengaging the strap lock takes some getting used to, but once you get it down....the action is faaaaantastic!

So, what did you end up choosing, OP?
 
Last edited:
OK. My ZT 801 and Kizer Gemini have just been upstaged. I wish you all could witness the smoothness of the Ursa Minor! This thing is impossibly smooth. It is much easier to disengage the lock bar than on my Gemini, which might be part of the reason. Also the blade weights more because it is 1mm thicker. This thing is amazing.

30319864995_d6a07f8608_h.jpg
 
Last edited:
abbazaba said:
OK. My ZT 801 and Kizer Gemini have just been upstaged. I wish you all could witness the smoothness of the Ursa Minor! This thing is impossibly smooth. It is much easier to disengage the lock bar than on my Gemini, which might be part of the reason. Also the blade weights more because it is 1mm thicker. This thing is amazing.

30319864995_d6a07f8608_h.jpg
Click to expand...
I too now have a Ursa Minor. It is smooth smooth SMOOTH. My Gemini is held up in customs but I'm thinking once I compare them the Gemini might get flipped.... Straight back FS.

Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top