Top 5 EDC flippers?

KoryD

KoryD

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Apr 15, 2014
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In your opinion what are the top 5 EDC flippers priced under $300? Please take into consideration build quality, fit and finish, and ease of deployment.
 
The only thing I really collect these days are bearing operated flipper folders. These are US based factory knives that stand out as being above average in my experiences.


1. Spyderco southard or domino. - These are both a tie. The Domino is great if you like traditional spydercos and the southard is simply amazing as well if you dont dig spydercos. Both have the best fit and finish of my list.

2. ZT 0801 - Probably the best bargain in USA produced flippers if you like the looks.

3. CRKT foresight - Perfect detent and smoothest action of any production flipper I have owned

4. Brous T4- I would only recommend the acid or stonewash versions. My only real gripe is the placement of the detent as I despise exposed detent tracks when the blade is open. Ergos and overbuilt construction are great.

5. ZT0560 - Great knife. A little big. The T4 is big too but the ergos on the 0560 make it seem even bigger for me.
 
KoryD said:
In your opinion what are the top 5 EDC flippers priced under $300? Please take into consideration build quality, fit and finish, and ease of deployment.
Click to expand...

In my order
Spyderco Southard: Exceptional F&F and deploys lightning fast every time.
ZT0801: Same reason as Southard (for me Southward beats it by a nose in quality and carries a little better).
Spyderco Domino: Very good F&F and perfect ease of deployment.
ZT0561: Very good F&F, deployment not as reliably quick without the slightest of flicks (for me)
hogue EX-02: Often overlooked, this has exceptionally high quality F&F and flies open like a rocket..but its weight and the force necessary to overcome the detent put it at the bottom of my five.
 
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PURPLEDC said:
The only thing I really collect these days are bearing operated flipper folders. These are US based factory knives that stand out as being above average in my experiences.


1. Spyderco southard or domino. - These are both a tie. The Domino is great if you like traditional spydercos and the southard is simply amazing as well if you dont dig spydercos. Both have the best fit and finish of my list.

2. ZT 0801 - Probably the best bargain in USA produced flippers if you like the looks.

3. CRKT foresight - Perfect detent and smoothest action of any production flipper I have owned

4. Brous T4- I would only recommend the acid or stonewash versions. My only real gripe is the placement of the detent as I despise exposed detent tracks when the blade is open. Ergos and overbuilt construction are great.
Click to expand...

Assuming just manual (unassisted) flippers, I was going to mention just Spyderco Southard and Zero Tolerance 0801 but the Brous T4 is really that good as well. Not an advocate of the Domino since it's so wide for the pocket. If just one of them I'd go with the Southard.

Three strong candidates coming out later in the year are Spyderco Rubicon, Zero Tolerance 0562CF and LionSteel flipper (unnamed).
 
Hmm, I carry mostly production flippers that meet your described criteria. I have the 560, 801, Southard, Domino, etc. Out of the bunch, these are my five favorites for throwing in my pocket when I leave the house in the morning:

XilZphX.jpg


Southard, Southard, Southard, Southard and Southard ;)

I really love the 0801 and carry it when I'm wearing jeans or cargo shorts, though. I find the Domino overly bulky and oddly shaped, FWIW.
 
Since bang for the buck is a prime consideration for me when I define "top 5", I'll go with:

CRKT Ripple
CRKT Foresight
Kershaw Leek
And any two Kershaw flippers under $25

Honestly, the difference between a $300 flipper and a $25 flipper is mostly bling. Spendy flippers are somewhat better than budget flippers in some categories, but not 12x better. At least not for me. Just my take on things. This is not the majority view, though. Rock on.
 
ZT 0200

ZT 0350

Kershaw JYD

Kershaw RAM

Benchmade 300SN
 
I tend to lean the traditional way but will admit modern folders are stronger, better, sharper and deadlier :eek: (don't worry just kidding - don't carry a knife for self defense, unless...). Modern knives just aren't as classy and stylish. I was wrong. Man those are nice knives.

Oops forgot to "quote". In reference to Evilgreg post #6.
 
Thanks everyone for posting. I appreciate everyone's opinion.

What are the pros and cons when it comes to assisted flippers versus unassisted? Does it just come down to personal preference?

I currently have a zt 0350 and a zt 0801. I love both but tend to lean towards the 0801 due to the in my opinion amazingly smooth deployment. I also have a domino on the way.
 
For the money:

1- ZT 0801
2- ZT 0560/1
3- Spyderco Domino
4- boker Kwaiken flipper or mod
5- ZT 0200 on polished washers
 
1. ZT 0801
2. Brous Blades Mini Division Flipper (this is close to being number 1 in my book)
3. ZT 0350
4. ZT 0560/1
5 Kershaw Rake
 
Spyderco Southard - Fantastic overall knife, phenomenal quality, great blade steel, custom collaborator
Spyderco Domino - great great action, Spydie hole is still a viable option with this one
ZT 0801 - Very very smooth and crazy detent, a bit on the heavy side for me
Kershaw R.A.M. - The Hawk Lock combined with the flipper is imo a better combo than the frame lock, liner lock, or anything else I have tried, truly a great knife
Kerhsaw Speed Bump - Great looker, not crazy about assisted though, love the stud lock, don't carry, but more of a novelty now

I am really looking forward to the Spyderco Rubicon, I am sure that will make the list.
 
I forgot to mention the boker kwaiken flipper. For EDC its simply amazing and Im really surprised I forgot to mention it. I have the ti handled version that boker actually makes with the flipper and not the modded G10 version. The ti is a little slippery but we arent talking tactical needs here. its slim, very well constructed and the IKBS makes it very smooth.
 
evilgreg said:
Hmm, I carry mostly production flippers that meet your described criteria. I have the 560, 801, Southard, Domino, etc. Out of the bunch, these are my five favorites for throwing in my pocket when I leave the house in the morning:

XilZphX.jpg


Southard, Southard, Southard, Southard and Southard ;)

I really love the 0801 and carry it when I'm wearing jeans or cargo shorts, though. I find the Domino overly bulky and oddly shaped, FWIW.
Click to expand...

Those look amazing! May I ask who made those scales on the far right?
 
I really like the IKBS flippers from CRKT...I have the Ripple (blue steel handle version) and it is super smooth. I plan to get the foresight and the fossil
 
I love my 0350 for all my edc knives, its a little thick but the flipper is absolutely a joy to use both assisted and unassisted.
 
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