Thought About Shaking It Up

F

FordFan

Joined
Dec 11, 2012
Messages
808
I have carried a Large Insingo or a 25 away from work for a couple years now. Both are plain jane. The 25 gets most of the pocket time lately. These are the only two CRKs I own and both are terrific. That said I decided I might like to try something new. Sort of shake it up if you know what I mean. Thought a good flipper might be nice. I started with lots of internet research on BladeForums in the other manufacturers sections. Watched lots of youtube videos. Went to the custom knife show in Kansas City a while back. Handled lots of customs, a Hinderer, etc. I did not find anything I wanted more than the CRKs I already own. Don't get me wrong there were lots of nice knives just not for me.

Assuming CRK does not make a flipper (it's ok to dream even if its unrealistic isn't it?) I will likely get a flipper from any maker. I do know now however, that I will have to be very patient to find something that will take the place of my CRKs.

I have my trusty 25 in my pocket now and that is just fine by me.
 
I have been wanting a flipper too for quite awhile but I just can't find any that has the feel and look of a Sebenza. The closest I can find is the Shamwari (Gareth Bull). They are front flippers though, so you might not like them..

I'd just get another CRK if I have the itch to buy another knife.. lol
 
FordFan said:
I have carried a Large Insingo or a 25 away from work for a couple years now. Both are plain jane. The 25 gets most of the pocket time lately. These are the only two CRKs I own and both are terrific. That said I decided I might like to try something new. Sort of shake it up if you know what I mean. Thought a good flipper might be nice. I started with lots of internet research on BladeForums in the other manufacturers sections. Watched lots of youtube videos. Went to the custom knife show in Kansas City a while back. Handled lots of customs, a Hinderer, etc. I did not find anything I wanted more than the CRKs I already own. Don't get me wrong there were lots of nice knives just not for me.

Assuming CRK does not make a flipper (it's ok to dream even if its unrealistic isn't it?) I will likely get a flipper from any maker. I do know now however, that I will have to be very patient to find something that will take the place of my CRKs.

I have my trusty 25 in my pocket now and that is just fine by me.
Click to expand...

I have some honest advice: I would buy a lower dollar value flipper from a good manufacturer, say a Spyderco Domino. After a couple weeks you will get over the ghee-whiz of owning a flipper and realize it's a fairly ignorant way to deploy a knife in 95% of normal EDC situations. At that point your flipper-quest will be over, and you can spend the money you saved on a nice inlayed 21, or maybe a Mnandi.
 
Hinderer XM-18 (or 24 if you like 'em big). Or if you want to follow Cody's (sage) advice, consider a ZT 0801, pretty darned decent knife for the coin. All Ti construction will be familiar.
 
kidcongo said:
I have some honest advice: I would buy a lower dollar value flipper from a good manufacturer, say a Spyderco Domino. After a couple weeks you will get over the ghee-whiz of owning a flipper and realize it's a fairly ignorant way to deploy a knife in 95% of normal EDC situations. At that point your flipper-quest will be over, and you can spend the money you saved on a nice inlayed 21, or maybe a Mnandi.
Click to expand...

Probably some good advice Cody. A flipper is not the best way to open a knife but still has some attraction for me. Also, for me sometimes the hunt is as good as the catch and it does not cost anything but using a little down time to hunt.
 
Officer's Match said:
Hinderer XM-18 (or 24 if you like 'em big). Or if you want to follow Cody's (sage) advice, consider a ZT 0801, pretty darned decent knife for the coin. All Ti construction will be familiar.
Click to expand...

Hinderer I held was a great knife. I thought the build quality was great and I like the size of the XM 18 but just was not for me. I looked at a ZT 0770 and a ZT0562 and still might consider these.
 
I just finished selling my Hinderer's but kept my ZT 0562CF for when I feel like playing with a flipper. The xm's just didn't do it for me anymore. Got tired of the cheese grater jimping by the flipper. But you just can't beat a large micarta 21, except maybe a 25 starbenza which I just started looking for :)
 
kidcongo said:
I have some honest advice: I would buy a lower dollar value flipper from a good manufacturer, say a Spyderco Domino. After a couple weeks you will get over the ghee-whiz of owning a flipper and realize it's a fairly ignorant way to deploy a knife in 95% of normal EDC situations. At that point your flipper-quest will be over, and you can spend the money you saved on a nice inlayed 21, or maybe a Mnandi.
Click to expand...
Great advice here! I went through the "I need a flipper" stage a couple of years ago, and then ended up selling it and buying more CRKs. I am many years into my knife obsession, and at this point 75% of my non-traditional knives are CRK products because they are well made and elegantly simple:thumbup:
 
I thing there is nothing wrong with having fun playing with a flipper. I just dont understand why very often the 1st suggestion is Hinderer. Dont get me wrong. Great tough knives. But originally designed as a non flipper, to be opened via thum studs. Since the "hype" on flippers started, they jumped onto that train. Which is fine. But since then they are trying to make a flipper out of the XM 18. There are tons of threads about the "flipping action" topic available, just recently people asking whether "Gen 4" of the XM 18 is now flipping well ......

Some good advices have been made. The ZT 801 is one. Spyderco Domino, maybe with the blue weaved cf scale.

Spyderco Domino, 01 at Flickr

Spyderco Domino, 02 at Flickr

Spyderco Domino, 03 at Flickr



You could also check out the so called "Mid Tech" section. For instance Brous Blades makes some big folders which are great flippers:

Brous Blades Division, 08 at Flickr

Brous Blades Division, 09 at Flickr

Brous Blades Division, 14 at Flickr

Brous Blades Division, 07 at Flickr


Also Ferrum Forge makes great flippers.


The limited edition ZT's are great, like the 0392 or the 0777. But need more patience to find them.

ZT 0392 BWBRZ, 01 at Flickr

ZT 0392 BWBRZ, 02 at Flickr

ZT 0392 BWBRZ, 05 at Flickr

ZT 0392 BWBRZ, 06 at Flickr


ZT 0392, 01 at Flickr

ZT 0392, 02 at Flickr

ZT 0392, 03 at Flickr

ZT 0392, 04 at Flickr


ZT 0777 BW M390, 01 at Flickr

ZT 0777 BW M390, 02 at Flickr

ZT 0777 BW M390, 03 at Flickr

ZT 0777 BW M390, 04 at Flickr


I believe no one here questions my love for CR knives, particularely for the Sebenza 21 and the Mnandi. But there is no doubt that there are some other interesting brands out there. So why not trying something out?

Hope this gives you some inspiration.

Stefan
 
^ Some excellent flippers, especially the Division, miss the one I had. My Hinderer suggestion was based upon level of quality since the OP is used to CRK. Current production XM's flip with the best of them if my Bowie is any indication.





 
Yep. Seems that they have changed/increased the strength of the detend, which was to my knowledge very often the cause of the bad flipping action.
 
Variety is good. Love my CRK knives and have two flippers as well. The Domino is a nice option. Carries a wee bit bigger than the Sage and can be opened with the hole or the flipper. Wish I still had mine. Love my small Jasmine but those are not readily available.

As I've stated before the opening style does not affect the usability of a well made knife. It all boils down to personal preference. See what you like and go with it. I actually prefer thumb stud or spydie hole for opening but a well executed flipper is nice to have as well. Variety.
 
Another vote here for the XM-18. They are amazing knives with fit and finish on par with CRK. I love the Sebenza, but also really love the XM.

 
If you can find one, check out a ZT 0801S110V. You can wind up with a ball bearing pivot, a lock bar insert, and a major steel upgrade.
 
Id suggest finding a flipper that has the thumbstud or a hole of some sort as well as the flipper. I find I steer away from dedicated flippers, but I enjoy ones that have both. (Xm-18 and domino)

I do have a CKF morrf that is a fantastic flipper, and I can middle finger flick it as well. It has small fullers where the studs would be. I can't open it with my thumb, because it puts pressure on the lockbar and detent when I try. Pretty sweet knife at a reasonable price.
 
I have to agree with Cody.

I have a Southard. It very rarely gets carried, sometimes not even the entire day. Same thing goes for my ZT801.

I tried an XM-18 3.5 slicer, it had a weak detent and wouldn't flip easily. I didn't like it nearly as much as my CRK's.

I sold it 2 weeks after I got it.

I have other older bigger ZT flippers also. Same story with them also.

If I had my mind made up that I had to had a flipper, I'd go with a Southard. Spyderco uses the steel as Bohler

by a different manufacture....to get m390.

I forgot to mention an Overkill made by RJ Martin, best flipper I ever had. I traded for a Peter r 1 0f 20 knife.

What an igoit(idoit) I was!!


Craig
 
Last edited:
Some ideas to check out for flipper...

Kizer Laconico Gemini
Reate Horizon (model C or D, depending on your budget)
ZT 0808 (I've been wanting one of these for a while, just haven't pulled the trigger)
Spyderco Positron - MAYBE - I have a Southard Flipper and a Domino and they're nice knives but as flippers go, they're not the best. The Positron looks like it might be a winner with good flipper geometry.

You can even go with a cheap Kershaw Strobe, decent flipper given the price and maybe that'll scratch the itch.
 
Thanks for all the flipper suggestions. I will look at ZT, Brous, etc.and see if I can find a match. Not sure why but I still want a flipper or two.

For today, my trusty 25 is in my pocket so I am fine. My 25 has some character from being used and has a been recently sharpened on the Wicked Edge so it's sharp and ready for whatever comes up....which won't be much given I am going to watch This Old House.
 
I went through that phase, I chose ZT because of the popularity of the brand, easy to move, good quality. I still have many ZT flippers. Take them out and flip them all the time, but they never see any pocket time. Like Cody said, I have no need to open a knife with a flipper in the work I do, hell, it might even scare some people I work around.
Flippers, love them, have them, just don't use them.
One day I guess I'll sell them.
 
Consider an assisted flipper like a Kershaw Knockout. The assisted deployment is awesome, lockup is rock solid, its thin in the pocket and has a deep clip. And you can get one for $57.50 shipped. Some of you guys seem to think that its a moral failing to carry a flipper ("a fairly ignorant way to deploy a knife"), or a flipper that costs less than $600. That is far from the truth. The Knockout cuts stuff just as well, and in some respects better, than the Sebenza 21 I have in my pocket.

An inexpensive flipper or assisted flipper is a fast, efficient and dagnab fun way to deploy a blade. And they even cut stuff too.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top