Sub $200 Flipper

S

Sellers.Hill

Joined
Apr 27, 2017
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Looking to add a flipper to my collection, $200 is really the max that I would go. I have a couple in mind, can anyone give me details on the actions of the following knives?
Spyderco Positron
Spyderco Domino
ZT 0460
Boker Kwaiken
 
I cant say for the positron but the domino has decent flipping action. Not exceptional but it opens fully 98% of the time. From what ive heard the zt 460 flips like the 0450 (add that to your list). And i can tell you the 0450 is the best flipper i have.
 
Spyderco flippers have seen some structural issues. I would avoid them, for now, personally.

ZT makes reliable flippers probably best out of the big, US manufactures. I would look there.
 
I have a Domino and a 450 and both flip amazingly well!!
I like the Domino more for the many opening options, but you can't go wrong with either.
I had a Kwaiken, gave it to a friend, it was a good flipper also. Had the all Ti model and it was a bit heavy.
Joe
 
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My Domino was perfect, as well, so perfect that my best friend and my cousin bought one too, both of theirs had issues with the races wearing poorly and bad, unpleasant feeling action. From what I understand, the racer thing is still a problem.

I ended up selling mine while it was still perfect just in case. This was a over a year ago, though.
 
I wouldnt worry about a spyderco race issue. The only thing i have seen happen os the steel washers the bearings ride in are thin and the bearings make the washer develop a cupped shape. Never saw one break though. And even if the washer did have to be removed and it wore on bare Ti it would eventually stop as the bearing is supported by the race being rolled into the titanium. You are essentially creating ikbs in a very slow manner.
 
ill be honest i wouldn't get either of those 4 listed. if 200 is your budget there are a lot better knives.
 
Very true Purp!!
I have a Domino and a Southard and both are over 2 years old. No issues with either at all! Both flip amazingly well and smooth.
Just picked up an Advocate, same BB system, and it is fantastic as well.
Joe

PURPLEDC said:
I wouldnt worry about a spyderco race issue. The only thing i have seen happen os the steel washers the bearings ride in are thin and the bearings make the washer develop a cupped shape. Never saw one break though. And even if the washer did have to be removed and it wore on bare Ti it would eventually stop as the bearing is supported by the race being rolled into the titanium. You are essentially creating ikbs in a very slow manner.
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palonej said:
Very true Purp!!
I have a Domino and a Southard and both are over 2 years old. No issues with either at all! Both flip amazingly well and smooth.
Just picked up an Advocate, same BB system, and it is fantastic as well.
Joe
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Yeah. I tend to think some of these "fairytales" come about from a very small group of people who find one tiny aspect of a build, obsess over it and start running experiments to confirm their bias. I have been this person in the past. Like when I used to do spinewhack tests. Id take a new knife and smack the spine of the blade as hard as I could to see if the lock would hold. Sometimes it did. Sometimes it didn't. And the knives that didn't I would not look favorably on afterwards. But in that obsessed stupidity I never realized that my actions actually caused the failure and had I let the lock properly seat through use and didn't force a failure it likely would never have happened on its own. And that all I did was take 10 years off the life of a knife. These bearing issues I feel are in the same vein. You gotta have the ronco way of doing things. Set it and forget it and don't worry about "issues" unless they actually cause an issue.
 
Yup!! I think, well I know, what started this mess was the Sanctimonious Apostle headlining his YT vid like this: CONSUMER ALERT!!!! Really???
Got in a war with boooodog on the Spydie forum because it seems he takes that dip stick's word as gospel. Ummmm maybe he screaming from the rooftops for views?? Is that even remotely possible??
Sal came right out and said they are looking into the issue and stopped production of the Advocates.
This wasn't enough for a few whiny bitches and now it's a conspiracy.
Sickening.
Joe

PURPLEDC said:
Yeah. I tend to think some of these "fairytales" come about from a very small group of people who find one tiny aspect of a build, obsess over it and start running experiments to confirm their bias. I have been this person in the past. Like when I used to do spinewhack tests. Id take a new knife and smack the spine of the blade as hard as I could to see if the lock would hold. Sometimes it did. Sometimes it didn't. And the knives that didn't I would not look favorably on afterwards. But in that obsessed stupidity I never realized that my actions actually caused the failure and had I let the lock properly seat through use and didn't force a failure it likely would never have happened on its own. And that all I did was take 10 years off the life of a knife. These bearing issues I feel are in the same vein. You gotta have the ronco way of doing things. Set it and forget it and don't worry about "issues" unless they actually cause an issue.
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The design of the 460 personally does not appeal much to me but I can say in our shop it is probably consistently the best flipper.
 
I don't have any of those but I'll tell you about a few flippers I have that you might consider.
  • ZT 0900: My faortive flipper overall. It fires 100% of the time without fail, even with light finger pressure on the lockbar. It might be too small for some. One of my favorite EDCs.
  • ZT 0450: A good flipper but can be sensitive to pressure on the lock bar. Good EDC overall.
  • ZT 0909: Good overall knife though might be a little large for some. Excellent flipper (Les George seems to really know what he's doing) and you don't have to worry about lockbar pressure. Really a great value at its price I think.
  • ZT 0562: You might need to go used to get it under $200. A good flipper but it has failed on me a few times. Great ergonomics.
  • ZT 0808: I love the size and blade shape for EDC. Good flipper if the stars align. ANY lockbar pressure and it will not flip. The flipper tab is too small and rounded so the finger slides over it easily. I still carry mine a lot.
  • ZT 0456: Good flipper, great ergos. They pop up used undet $200 often. Might be a little thick/heavy for some.
  • ZT 0095: Good flipper and good ergos.
  • Spyderco Southard: OK flipper, good ergos. Its curvature causes it to hang funny in the pocket so I never carry it.
I think ZT is the best thing going in flippers (obviously), especially for the price.

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Best flipping action I found is the zt0450 for speed its like an auto. I also love the boker quaiken its just a awesome knife. Zt is hard to beat for detent and flipping though IMO.
 
lemonslush said:
Best flipping action I found is the zt0450 for speed its like an auto. I also love the boker quaiken its just a awesome knife. Zt is hard to beat for detent and flipping though IMO.
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Totally agree, not to mention their amazing customer service and their prices makes them allmost a no brainer.
 
The G10 ZT0562 is $200 everyday. I would suggest it too. One that hasn't been mentioned is the redesigned 0801ti. Great flipping action and also $200
 
I got my Domino second hand so I can't speak for what they're like right out of the box, however I did send it in for warranty work(didn't have washers, yes I know it's strange) and when it came back 13 days later it was like they sprinkled some pixie dust on it because now it's a joy to play around with. The action is on point, and the detent is perfect.

One thing that gets overlooked with the Domino is the ergonomics. Out of all my knives, it has thee best ergo's. I have smallish hands, but my god, that knife is perfect in that respect.
 
Of the four you list, the 0460 will be the best flipper. I've been underwhelmed by Spyderco's attempts at flippers to date. The Boker is ok but still a Boker. You can't really go wrong with any ZT for a flipper but I think your current best bet for a sub-$200 flipper would be the Ferrum Forge Crux. You'll have to google it. The Kizer Gemini would be a good choice too.
 
I'll second the Ferrum Forge Crux. It's not out yet, but the designer and manufacturer are very reputable, and the materials are great. Beyond that, though, I'd recommend the ZT 0450 or 0808. I had the ZT 0460 but didn't like it as much as at 450 - the flipper tap wasn't comfortable in my hands.
 
I just trued a 460 at my local shop. Awesome knife. The styling definitely is unique but it has a functional blade thinner than I have seen on a ZT thus far and so able to cut better. The 460 just oozes quality you would not be disapponted.
 
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