Under 3" flipper suggestions

[1630]

I have a Kershaw Oso Sweet that I really like but I would like something that will hold an edge a bit longer. I'm not having much luck finding anything that meets my list of, maybe unreasonable, requirements.
1. Must be under 3". Several counties and cities around me say that 3" and above are illegal. (I ground the Oso down to under 3", that is one point the softer metal was handy.)
2. I greatly prefer a flipper tab on the spine (right name?) over one that is opened with the thumb as joint issues that I have make ones that open with the thumb much less comfortable to use.
3. Having used the Oso for so long I prefer assisted opening and that is largely because I find them easier to close due to the slight resistance on closing. It just feels better to me in comparison to the knife I have that isn't assisted.
4. Would prefer under $150
5. Steel that would hold an edge longer than the Oso. I do a lot of opening boxes and the Oso just doesn't hold an edge long if it hits cardboard.

Does such a knife exist? Most I find are 3" or 3.1" or 3 1/8". And the ones under 3" seem to have the same or similar steel as the Oso.

I appreciate any suggestions; I've looked at dozens and dozens of knives online and haven't have much luck.

 

[aleforme]

Under 3" amd under $150 is going to be a little hard to find but there are some out there. The problem with shorter blades if they are either super light and don't flip that well or they are way to thick to cut well but flip great.

A good compromise and the best flipper under 3" I've ever owned was the Gnome Ti Flipper. It's a clone but the original designer seems to be OK with it. There of history about this. D2 steel and flips really nicely. Search the Big River for " Gnome Pocket Titanium Knife Folding Flipper D2 Steel. It's a great little knife with great quality and $64.99!

 

[Rich S]

KnifeCenter has a Kershaw copper Natrix ball bearing flipper with 2.75" blade and D2 steel for under $100 (well under). Operates as easily as a assisted opener.
Rich

 

[Fonedork]

Spyderco Dice
Massdrop Ferrum Forge Falcon

 

[JAGKNIFE]

I got a Spyderco Mantra 2 from DLT for $119 M4 steel and Ti Scales blade is 3.21" i think it retailed at "$290"

 

[CPP]

it sounds like you're looking for a front flipper.

 

[kniferbro]

Spyderco Positron is barely over blade limit (could grind again) and barely over your budget. Not assisted though. TBH, if you want assisted stick with Kershaw. If you're willing to drop the assisted your options open up.

 

[Dadpool]

3. Having used the Oso for so long I prefer assisted opening and that is largely because I find them easier to close due to the slight resistance on closing.
5. Steel that would hold an edge longer than the Oso.

Of your requirements, this combination is the hardest to fulfill. Not too many companies making assisted openers, and those tend to be cheaper steels OR over 3".

But! I have two options for you. Edit: Sorry, I missed that it had to be under 3". Both of my recommendations are 3" exactly.

The Kershaw Leek comes in variations that fit 100% of your requirements.

• The Composite Leek (any version) in D2 (well, the edge is D2); I've owned one of these and it's a lovely knife.
• The carbon fiber Leek in CPM-154
• Some exotic varations in Elmax (out of production)

Also, if you can find one, there's a version of the Kershaw Dividend out there in M390; MSRP was under your price, no idea about secondary market.

 

[gazz98]

Civivi Shard and Elementum. Nice knives for $50-70 and the D2 should be decent.

Hogue X1 microflip. CPM 154 and in the $130-150 range.

 

[Chronovore]

I think I know what you mean about closing Speedsafe knives. The mechanism creates a sort of half-stop that requires manual closing. This safeguards against a blade closing on your finger. With most manual flippers, I'm able to depress the lock bar, have the blade clear the detent, and stop with the flipper tab on whatever finger is depressing the lock. Then I move my finger and either help it home or let it drop shut. Of course, that depends on the geometry and tab shape.

The Civivi Elementum is just under 3" and uses D2. It's a manual flipper with good action and a decent detent. I think the flipper tab is right for my preferred method of closure but I'm still waiting for the black one to come back in stock.

 

[Silent H]

Benchmade will be coming out with a 20CV flipper that is under 3" this month, it was posted on a couple of dealer's sites for aa while then taken down because it hasn't been officially announced yet. It's designed by Jared Oeser, I forget what the name is though.

 

[Dice]

Giantmouse Ace Biblio, but it is 175$. Flipper and thumbhole both. M390 steel.

 

[CyberRacer]

The SOG Terminus XR Flipper can be found between $80 - $90 bucks in S35VN. Great little EDC and measures in at 2.95"

 

[P D]

Some recommendations at this price point (based on my personal collection) :

Sorted List.

1. Drop x Ferrum Forge Gent Select. 6.6 inch knife with 3 inch blade. S35VN. Variety of handle materials. Frame lock with flipper. Around $120 if you can get it (currently out of stock at Drop)
2. SOG Terminus XR. 7 inch knife with a 3 inch blade. D2 Steel. G-10 handle. New XR locking mechanism. Flipper or Thumb Stud opener. Around $50. Great knife !! SOG is making a comeback
3. CRKT Squid. 5.75 inch knife with 2.25 inch blade. D2 Steel. G-10 handle. Frame lock with thumb stud opener. BHQ exclusive. Around $35 if you can get it (currently out of stock at BHQ)
4. CRKT Pilar. 5.9 inch knife with 2.4 inch blade. D2 Steel. Carbon Fiber handle. Frame lock with thumb hole opener. BHQ Exclusive. Around $50 if you can get it (currently out of stock at BHQ)

And finally for the kicks, you may want to check out :

• Andre de Villiers Mini Pocket Butcher Lockback. 4.8 inch knife with a 2 inch blade. Bohler N690 Steel. Bone handle. Nail Nick opener. Controversial maker. Outstanding knife. At a touch under $200, it's a bit outsde your price point. Worth checking !!

 

[1630]

Wow, thank you all so much for all the suggestions. I went from about to give up to now having all sorts of good options.

I think I know what you mean about closing Speedsafe knives. The mechanism creates a sort of half-stop that requires manual closing. This safeguards against a blade closing on your finger. [/QUOTE]
Exactly, I have a CRKT Ripple 2 that I'd catch my finger nail when closing more often than I'd like to admit.

With most manual flippers, I'm able to depress the lock bar, have the blade clear the detent, and stop with the flipper tab on whatever finger is depressing the lock. Then I move my finger and either help it home or let it drop shut. Of course, that depends on the geometry and tab shape.

That sounds like something that once I got it down I wouldn't even have to think about when closing.

Edit: Sorry, I missed that it had to be under 3". Both of my recommendations are 3" exactly.

It would probably never be an issue but after a friend got stopped by a deputy and told that his flipper that was clipped inside his pocket was a switchblade, just with a different name I realized that the law is often whatever the officer thinks it is. With all the reading it took me to find the different knife laws around the area I'm guessing few if any officers know any more than what they've heard other officers say about the laws. I now carry a copy of the law that states the differences between a flipper and a switchblade, just in case. But I really don't want to give them any legitimate reason for charges. Which really sucks because 3" seems to be a real sweet spot for knife options.

it sounds like you're looking for a front flipper.

I've seen a few online but never tried one in person for any first hand experience with the operation of them.

Thanks again for all the suggestions. I will definitely, be checking them all out.

 

[lzeplin]

As mentioned above check out the Kershaw copper natrix in D2 steel. The blade is perfectly centered, and opens like a rocket!