Steelcraft Mini-Bodega

After 500+ open/close cycles mine got smoother but not buttery smooth like my Kwaiken. So, I sent it in and Mark at TBK said they'll "fix" it. They said something about the bearings not being fully seated -- "race" of the IKBS. I expect it to come back as one of my smoothest flippers like the Kwaiken and Shirogorov F95.

While at it, I'm having them blue anodize the titanium clip and backspacer to match my TRE Blue. I'll know more next week since they got my knife around closing time yesterday (Friday).
 
RamZar said:
I don't have them all but Mini Bodega is my best 3" blade flipper and right behind it is the Olson Quick Flick (button lock). TRE is great as long as you're not too concerned with flipper performance.
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The Olson Quick Fliks are nice aren't they?
 
That's nice Ram! Mine is amazingly smooth... I tried emailing TBK to get some ano work done and it has been about 4 days now with no reply.
 
josephrogers said:
That's nice Ram! Mine is amazingly smooth... I tried emailing TBK to get some ano work done and it has been about 4 days now with no reply.
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Yup. They're super busy with a lot of projects. I'll advise on how things transpire. They want to handle customizations. We shall see.
 
Todd has been very patient and understanding on Facebook and has answered my questions, he even gave me to email of the person at their shop to contact for pimp work... Just a matter of patience I guess.
 
I cracked open my Mini-Bo tonight.

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Yeah, man. Seeing all those loose little balls makes me nervous. Hope reassembly goes smoothly! But thanks for the peek inside. I was/still am too chicken to do that with my Kwaiken.
 
Reassembly was actually pretty easy. I was intimidated at first, but it was no more complicated than any other knife I've taken apart.
 
I my Boker Kwaiken apart yesterday to heat anodize the scales and back spacer, and putting it back together was a serious PITA for me. Of course some of that is because my eyesight aint what it used to be, and those bearings are almost microscopic. LOL
 
ebidis said:
I my Boker Kwaiken apart yesterday to heat anodize the scales and back spacer, and putting it back together was a serious PITA for me. Of course some of that is because my eyesight aint what it used to be, and those bearings are almost microscopic. LOL
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What made mine easy was the grease in the pivot that came from the factory. The bearings all stayed in place and basically stuck to the pivot. Maybe a small bead of CRK grease might work if you were to remove said factory grease.
 
Blues Bender said:
What made mine easy was the grease in the pivot that came from the factory. The bearings all stayed in place and basically stuck to the pivot. Maybe a small bead of CRK grease might work if you were to remove said factory grease.
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A light film of grease might work. I actually cleaned the entire blade, pivot and bearings in mine, because it was full of crud from old oil and dirt. I put it back together dry, and I'm not even thinking about taking it apart again any time soon.
 
RamZar said:
I don't have them all but Mini Bodega is my best 3" blade flipper and right behind it is the Olson Quick Flick (button lock). TRE is great as long as you're not too concerned with flipper performance.
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Just got my T.R.E.

Wow! If I had know how nice these are I would have bought one last year.

No issues with it whatsoever, it flips really well too. Maybe I got a special one.

Like you say Ram, it is a classy little folder. This thing shames some folders costing much more.

Best Lionsteel folder I've had by far.

The Spartan Metis is about what I've come to expect from them. It's a unique design, which is why I buy some of their folders. The price is definitely higher than some other brands for what you get. However, there just isn't much else out there with this blade size and shape. I like it, but it is nowhere near as special as the T.R.E. , which costs less, or the Mini Bo, which wasn't that much more.

The ZT 0450CF seems pretty pedestrian compared to these three. I like the design though.

I would recommend a T.R.E or a Mini Bo without hesitation, fantastic folders for the money.

The Spartan Metis is very nice if you have a lot of knives and want to try something different. Just prepare to pay more for less F&F.

ZT's are, well, ZT's. Good solid folders, well priced.

I'm glad there are more smaller folders choices like these available now.

I am definitely taking your advice on folders from now on. I always agree with your assessments once I get my hands on anything you have reviewed.

You Da Man Ram!
 
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I've been looking for a new knife for about a month now and I could not take my eye of the Mini-Bodega. Today, I pulled the trigger and ordered the black stonewash. I have to wait until next week for the delivery, but my itch has been scratched. I hope this knife feels as good as it looks.

**This knife cost me an extra $30!!! I upgraded to a gold membership!
 
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