What's the best production flipper?

C

carl3989

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Apr 29, 2009
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So you look for a flipper and read the reviews. Some have to be "flipped" like a light switch. Some have to have a pre-tensioned finger pressing on it like on a push button. Some need to have a subtle wrist action. Ugh! So enlighten me what production flipper has the best deployment with the smoothest action on the mass market?:confused::confused:
 
Depends on how mass you mean mass market to be. A good starting point that is quite "mass" is the ZT0801.

Less "mass" (and mucho more cash) is pretty much any Shirogorov flipper.

Best I've ever held is the CKF MILK.
 
Of my few dozen flippers the one that stands out to be as being impossible to flip incorrectly, even if you try, is the Begg Mini Bodega (made by Reate and produced and available in quantity). It doesn't fall closed, though, it takes a few shakes (thanks to the feisty detent) so if "falls closed under its own weight" is your thing I suppose it won't amaze.
 
Most anything by ZT will be a good mass market flipper ( ZT 452CF). For less 'mass produced' knives anything by CKF or Reate.
 
carl3989 said:
So you look for a flipper and read the reviews. Some have to be "flipped" like a light switch. Some have to have a pre-tensioned finger pressing on it like on a push button. Some need to have a subtle wrist action. Ugh! So enlighten me what production flipper has the best deployment with the smoothest action on the mass market?:confused::confused:
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There are a whole bunch of inexpensive CRKT flippers that flip great. For something that won't bust the bank, pick a model with IKBS and a flipper on it and you'll be pleasantly surprised by how well it flips. My Carajas and Sampa model knives are great flippers and were IIRC maybe ~$40 when I bought them.
 
Officer's Match said:
Depends on how mass you mean mass market to be. A good starting point that is quite "mass" is the ZT0801.

Less "mass" (and mucho more cash) is pretty much any Shirogorov flipper.

Best I've ever held is the CKF MILK.
Click to expand...

I would pretty much agree with this..... Only thing I would add is the best flipper I have ever experienced is a LL51 flipper by Herucus Blomerus, UNBELIEVABLY GREAT, but far from mass produced
 
I have a bunch of flippers from prices ranging from $30 to $600. The WE 615 has every one of them beat. Hands-down.
 
So far the best flipping action of any knife i have owned production wise is a knife that was sold by bladehq as a ckf but in reality it was a knife made in the same factory as it. The venom new concept. Glass smooth. Impossible to misfire and a blade that drops like a guilotine. The detent is neither snappy or soft. Perfect is the only word really.
 
Buck 830 Marksman...the flipping action on these is so free and effortless than it can be a finger guillotine when closing.

I had the SKBlades exclusive one in g10 and flat ground s35vn. It was super smooooooooth.
 
This is such a subjective subject. And, to make it more difficult to answer, there can be a pretty wide variation in action even among examples of the same knife model. For example, I have three versions of the CKF Morrf, and three versions of the ZT 0801. All have slightly different flipping characteristics. They're all great, but a tad different. As an aside, I recently picked up a ZT 0095bw in the Exchange, and it is the best flipping ZT I've ever owned - better even than any of the 0801's (and that's saying something).
 
Think of it like this; every flipper is going to feel a little bit different. It takes a little bit to get used to it, but once you do, you'll flip it with no problem. I'd spin the question the other way, and ask what makes a really BAD flipper for you? Then we know what to avoid.

If you want to just "flip it and forget it"? You may prefer some of the assisted openers. I can cite the example of the Kershaw Leek; a little more than a nudge on the flipper and it flies open. That has a certain feel.

If you want buttery smooth, you're probably talking about bearings. I have a Boker Urban Trapper (G10 scales) that I carried for a year that I love. It took a couple of days of occasional flipping to get the feel for it, but now that I do, it feels great to deploy. (I find the flipper tab a little sharp for my taste, but that's another thing.)

I've read many great things about the ZT Sinkevich knives; I looked closely at a 0450 at my local knife store. Nothing makes you feel sillier than holding a flipper knife for the first time in a middle of a busy store that you CAN. NOT. MAKE. OPEN. (In hindsight, I was squeezing the lockbar against the blade. User error, I suppose.)

For the best in mall ninja cool feeling, it's hard to beat the $4 Ozark Trail tan G-10 flipper I bought. "Subtle wrist action" is an understatement; the motion was smoothing more like launching a Frisbee, but otherwise the flipper tab would open it about 1/3 of the way. But hey! It was $4, its value exceeded its price, and I happily passed it along to my son.

I find it maddening to try and read between the lines of peoples' experiences to figure out what is a real flaw and what is someone's perception. That tends to magnify issues in my mind larger than they really may be. Think about the aesthetics you want and the feel you're after, and see if that helps narrow the field down.
 
Kizer Ursa Minor is the best I've held (better than my Mini Bodega, or my dozen ZTs (801 included), never held a Shiro), especially for a relatively lightweight blade. The Freeman 451 is stupid smooth and insanely fun to play with. Both my 0560BW and 0561 are incredible samples (that can also be easily opened with thumb studs), but the weight of the blade helps for sure (free falling guillotine).
 
evilgreg said:
There are a whole bunch of inexpensive CRKT flippers that flip great. For something that won't bust the bank, pick a model with IKBS and a flipper on it and you'll be pleasantly surprised by how well it flips. My Carajas and Sampa model knives are great flippers and were IIRC maybe ~$40 when I bought them.
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Great point Greg! One of my absolute best flippers cost me under $40.
CRKT Swindle. That little bitch has a very light blade, but rockets out to lock up just as good as my 450! Almost impossible to make it not flip! It won't fall closed without a little shake, but I prefer that type of action and will adjust pivot on any knife that does.
A few more excellent flippers I have:
Gaurdian Tac Helix Nano. Amazing!!
Both WE knives I have.
Spydie Southard & Domino.....maybe I got lucky with these 2.
All 3 ZTs I have, 450, 452 & 562. Excellent.
Kizer Nomad, detent a bit light, but flips real nice.
Brous Mini Division, this one surprised me! Maybe my absolute best flipper!
Joe
 
Officer's Match said:
The Brous T4 I used to have was also an amazing flipper, actually better than the Divisions I've had.
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Also have a T4 and a VR-71. All of them flip amazingly, are perfectly centered and have never needed any adjusting.
👍👍
 
Well, for me, Smoothest IKBS CRKT ripple. Smoothest non IKBS boker urban trapper. Best smooth EDC Kizer Gemini (love the FFG blade :cool:). Most fun (I don't know why :confused:) BHQ Jade skyline.
 
Anything ZT.

Although I did currently pick up a WE knife 703 and Willkie the detent isn't super strong how I personally like it. It had FANTASTIC flipping action. Really makes you double take why we spend over 200 for a decent flipper at $100
 
A cheap manual flipper with great action is the real steel sea eagle. More pricey, Kizer, WE, Reate.
 
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