Want to step up my modern flippers!

M

Midgetje93

Joined
Jul 30, 2023
Messages
316
I like to collect older slip joints and lock backs. Then found a love for all the endless exclusive designs of the Classic SD SAK. Then picked up a SMKW exclusive Kershaw Lightyear. And that’s got me wanting to upgrade my collection of flippers.

I have several $30-$60 flippers. That are honestly great. They punch above their weight class. While I am totally happy with them. I find myself wanting to add a few nicer American made offerings.

While I’m not looking for a Chris Reeves or anything. More used Benchmade price range lol. $75-maybe $150? Idk. I want a couple nicer ones to add to my collection box. But it’s hard when the companies like Kershaw, Civivi, ect.. are making GREAT knives for 40-60

What would your options be?
 
A competent US-made flipper under $150 is a tough ask these days..

There are a handful of US-made Kershaw flippers in the $60 -$100 range, but most are assisted, which may or may not appeal to you..

ZT flippers are nice, but likely out of your budget to purchase new. They go on sale occasionally.. a good sale price might get you close(r) to $150 depending on the model.. you may also find some good deals on the secondary.

My favorite US-made flipper is the Protech Malibu. Worth shattering your budget ceiling for, imo.. 😛
 
ricklikesknives said:
My favorite US-made flipper is the Protech Malibu. Worth shattering your budget ceiling for, imo.. 😛
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The Malibu is great!
The discontinued Benchmade Ball 300 sold for $150 new. It's an excellent knife in general, but a poor flipper.
The Benchmade Vectors are decent flippers if you like assisted opening, but they have slightly recurved blades which I think are a nuisance to sharpen.
The Spyderco Sliverax is an excellent knife in general, but a poor flipper. Spyderco has some other flippers--Amalgam, Hanan, Smock, and Tropen, but all their are made in Taiwan.
 
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ricklikesknives said:
A competent US-made flipper under $150 is a tough ask these days..

There are a handful of US-made Kershaw flippers in the $60 -$100 range, but most are assisted, which may or may not appeal to you..

ZT flippers are nice, but likely out of your budget to purchase new. They go on sale occasionally.. a good sale price might get you close(r) to $150 depending on the model.. you may also find some good deals on the secondary.

My favorite US-made flipper is the Protech Malibu. Worth shattering your budget ceiling for, imo.. 😛
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I’m not against spending more. But it’s not a priority now. if that makes sense? I know made is USA Doesnt mean it’s instantly better. I have a USA Buck that’s nothing fancy at all (the bantam), a bear and sons beer tender that I bought as a novelty but absolutely sucks.

A nicer Kershaw or Civivi is plenty to scratch my itch day to day. But would be cool to have a little nicer piece in my collection. As most my nicer ones are old trappers or lockbacks.
 
I am sorry to be yet another person to suggest you spend more but...

North Arm Skaha2 are made in North America (Canada) and the one I have (in Magnacut) is the nicest flipper I've ever owned. You'll have to wait a couple months on the list and add $100ish to your top end budget but they're well worth it imo.

For under $100 I'd say Civivi (as you noted).
 
Definitely hard to find an American made flipper for under $150. ZT is a good suggestion for a little more (new), or about that (used).

That said, IMHO there’s nothing inherently ”better” about an American made flipper than some of the nicer foreign-made ones. Finch Knife Co is one of my favorite companies. They have great designs, made overseas but QC’d in the US. Some of the best flipping action I’ve experienced are Finch knives. The 1929, 1935, and Chernobyl Ant are staples in my rotation.
 
celticrogues said:
Definitely hard to find an American made flipper for under $150. ZT is a good suggestion for a little more (new), or about that (used).

That said, IMHO there’s nothing inherently ”better” about an American made flipper than some of the nicer foreign-made ones. Finch Knife Co is one of my favorite companies. They have great designs, made overseas but QC’d in the US. Some of the best flipping action I’ve experienced are Finch knives. The 1929, 1935, and Chernobyl Ant are staples in my rotation.
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I’ll have to check them out.
Not exactly what I was asking about. But if I had a choice of “don’t worry about money. Just pick one” it would be this bad boy. Idk. The modern twist on the iconic style I love.
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But a buddy suggested the Vosteed Corsair, as a Benchmade alternative. Not a bad little buddy for $70
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The QSP Hawk in S35VN is an outstanding for just over $100. Cocobolo scales!
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For a budget knife the Sencut Neches in 10Cr15CoMoV and micarta is a really nice, around $50.
sencut.jpg
 
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I mean I’m not really “HAS to be American” I know there are solid nice offerings cheaper. I guess I just feel my modern selection is “nice for the price”
c2p3C5I.jpg

Some cool SAK.
Bear Edge
SOG Terminus
CKRT Fossil
Gerber paraframe
Some Crescent (tool brand) knife I got for $20 at work.
A Boker Kalashnikov
And the Kershaw SMKW Lightyear

Nothing bad. Well maybe the Gerber. Just want to add a bit nicer vibe to it.

I’ve hunted down nicer and unique older traditional ones. (Which are and will always be my favorite)
 
Yo Mama said:
You don't have to get the carbon fiber version, but I would take a good look at the buck sprint models. They have different materials and price points. Very well made USA knife.

View attachment 2291750


Also, don't forget the Kershaw link

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I’m a big fan of Buck. But all I’ve really ever used are the 110/112 and a 119 hunting.

I got pulled in to the Bantam (I think is the name. The mossy oak US made one) and honestly. Kinda hate it. It’s cheap, the plastic feels super cheap. (I know it’s a $30 knife) but I have a Swisstech knife from Walmart ($30) and love that one. It’s a Chinese made.
 
Midgetje93 said:
I’m a big fan of Buck. But all I’ve really ever used are the 110/112 and a 119 hunting.

I got pulled in to the Bantam (I think is the name. The mossy oak US made one) and honestly. Kinda hate it. It’s cheap, the plastic feels super cheap. (I know it’s a $30 knife) but I have a Swisstech knife from Walmart ($30) and love that one. It’s a Chinese made.
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Midgetje93: I happen to have a new in box Kershaw Link (as in the photo Yo Mama posted above). It’s in a good steel (20CV) and I purchased it maybe 2-3 years ago. It’s lived in a display case since then and never been touched. I’m fortunate to have all the knives I’ll ever need/use, so the Link is expendable and will never be missed.
All that being said, that knife is yours….I’d like nothing better than to donate to a new home where it can get some use. I see you’re not a paid member so using the PM feature here is not available to you. If you’d like to have this knife, (“no strings attached”) email your address/contact info and I’ll put it in the mail to you.

My email: elde66 at rocketmail dot com
 
elde66 said:
Midgetje93: I happen to have a new in box Kershaw Link (as in the photo Yo Mama posted above). It’s in a good steel (20CV) and I purchased it maybe 2-3 years ago. It’s lived in a display case since then and never been touched. I’m fortunate to have all the knives I’ll ever need/use, so the Link is expendable and will never be missed.
All that being said, that knife is yours….I’d like nothing better than to donate to a new home where it can get some use. I see you’re not a paid member so using the PM feature here is not available to you. If you’d like to have this knife, (“no strings attached”) email your address/contact info and I’ll put it in the mail to you.

My email: elde66 at rocketmail dot com
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Yea. Plan to become a paid member soon. Wife is out of work medically. So I’m working overtime to make it through. But as soon as things balance out, I want to get a membership. And Oh wow! Thank you! That’s amazing!

Email sent sir!
 
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