Which custom maker / mid-tech? Tough, big flipper needed!

[Comeuppance]

I'm getting to the point where all that interests me is in the mid-tech and custom arena, but I'm still not quite finding what I'm looking for:

-Flipper, with perfect action (no wrist flick, good detent, smooth operation)
-Blade at 3.5" or longer, but under 4.25"
-Perfect lockup
-Blade steel in the M390/204P/20CP/S90V/110V/Z-Wear range. Tough and wear resistant.
-Amazing fit and finish

And, here's where it gets limiting:
-Priced under $800
-Not a Hinderer

I keep checking a bunch of different sites that won't be named because I don't think they're all paid Bladeforums members... But all of the knives that pop up that fit all the other criteria are made of CPM154/S30V/S35VN/N690. Who should I be talking to, or what mid-techs have I missed?

I'm basically looking for a flipper with perfect flipping action, perfect lockup, and blade steel that is both highly wear resistant and impact resistant. Honestly, at this point, the 0560CBCF in my right pocket is starting to look like a winner compared to what I'm seeing out there in the custom market.

 

[bpeezer]

How do you feel about Elmax?

 

[RamZar]

Zero Tolerance 0777 (M390) and 0600 (B75P) fit the criteria for me.

ZT 0888 (S110V edge) and the new Bodega Beggatti (CTS-XHP) are priced out.

Curtiss F3 but I guess due to N690 is out.

Wilson Combat Eagle made by Les George in CTS-XHP.

Custom scales on Spyderco Southard (CTS-204P).

 

[Comeuppance]

Zero Tolerance 0777 (M390) and 0600 (B75P) fit the criteria for me.

ZT 0888 (S110V edge) and the new Bodega Beggatti (CTS-XHP) are priced out.

Curtiss F3 but I guess due to N690 is out.

Wilson Combat Eagle made by Les George in CTS-XHP.

Custom scales on Spyderco Southard (CTS-204P).

Aye - I guess I'm lucky that there are few customs out there that fit the criteria, and a reasonable amount of production knives that do. With how much I have budgeted for the knife, I could get a Southard, Combat Eagle, and an 0600 if I shop carefully.

 

[Scurvy092]

If you want those flavor of the day steels, you're better off looking at production knives. Custom knives are not the place to look for the latest and greatest in steel, at least not in your price range.

Zt0600 is your best bet.

If cts-xhp meets your requirements then Kirby Lambert might be able to help you.

 

[Syncharmony]

Out of curiosity, do you actually find that you really benefit from the super-steels in daily use or is more the novelty of having them?

 

[evanPGH]

If you want those flavor of the day steels, you're better off looking at production knives. Custom knives are not the place to look for the latest and greatest in steel, at least not in your price range.

Zt0600 is your best bet.

If cts-xhp meets your requirements then Kirby Lambert might be able to help you.

This this and this.

Custom makers usually stick to the tried and true steels.

The bluephin has everything except the exotic steel but you could always drop Po a line and see if he'll make you something with what you want.

Also, nothing is perfect.

 

[Lycosa]

Yep on the Leu or Mikkel Willumsen.
Fairly has a new folder folder that is le bom.
rolf

 

[SLUHstud]

what about an el patron flipper in s90v? Have never used one of his flippers but hear great things about them.

 

[Misanthropia]

I was under the impression that S90V/110V/20CP as well as M390/204P were not particularly impact resistant, just very resistant to wear. I'm no metallurgist so feel free to correct me. The problem with the contemporary custom market is that pretty much every maker has their books closed, or has a tremendous lead time. Then there's the secondary market, where $800 won't exactly buy you much anymore. Sniper Bladeworks seem to be one of the only customs that are readily available and the prices aren't too crazy. Mikkel Willumsen also has knives available very frequently through his facebook page and they're usually right around $800.

I too would recommend the 0600, as it meets all of your criteria. Unfortunately, it may be the least functional knife ever conceived in terms of cutting performance. I adore mine and it's probably my favorite knife, but honestly it's almost useless for doing anything more than very shallow cuts. It feels thicker behind the edge than my Cold Steel Trail Master. However, that edge thickness sure will help with impact resistance.

 

[darkangel55555]

Talk to Jake Hoback. If you can get on the books for the midtech, you'll be looking at a flipper in M4 (tough, and wear resistant, though not entirely corrosion resistant) that's well within your budget.

 

[olybears57]

Will moon. His mk7 is 3.5" and the mk6 is 4"

 

[Insipid Moniker]

Maybe talk to Brian Tighe. Not sure if his books are open, but he does use M390 (though he prefers BG42 and RWL-34 if memory serves). I think price would be in line.

 

[Misanthropia]

Maybe talk to Brian Tighe. Not sure if his books are open, but he does use M390 (though he prefers BG42 and RWL-34 if memory serves). I think price would be in line.

Brian is presently accepting orders, when I ordered my Tighe Coon over the summer, the wait was only three weeks. They're all CNC'd so he can make them pretty quickly.I think it fits all of the requirements, although Brian didn't offer me a choice of steels when I ordered from him. RWL-34 is an excellent steel nevertheless. A Tighe Breaker would certainly fit your requirements, although it doesn't exactly exude "toughness" despite the fact that the button lock is very robust.

 

[Stoney26]

If youre looking to get a custom made to your specs NOW, chances are it wont happen. Unless you get on a maker's list, its almost impossible to get a knife to the specs that you want. Direware makes a great flipper to your specs, but youll wait at least 1-2years... IF you manage to get on the books. The type of knife you want will command much more than $800 on the secondary market. You can: 1. Expand your price range to meet the demands of secondary market pricing 2. Try to get on a well-known maker's list and practice patience(something i was never good at) 3. Try and find an up-and-coming maker(there's plenty here on bladeforums) that may not command the same prices as well-known makers and may have a shorter wait time

 

[shqxk]

If you really want a tough folder in tough steel you better avoid all of the steel you mention except Z-Wear. They are all brittle and won't be considered tough by any means.

 

[Comeuppance]

If you really want a tough folder in tough steel you better avoid all of the steel you mention except Z-Wear. They are all brittle and won't be considered tough by any means.

I've had pretty good experiences with M390/204P. I accidentally hit a Southard edge-first on a steel pipe and it sustained zero damage. Not even an edge-fold.

 

[Rolex John]

Hard to beat a Brous Blades T4 by Jason Brous for the money (about $250.00 I think). Google reviews and you'll find one I did (with photos and video). The ZT 0777 is also an excellent choice at twice the price (if you can find one) but well within the price guideline.

 

[RamZar]

Hard to beat a Brous Blades T4 by Jason Brous for the money (about $250.00 I think). Google reviews and you'll find one I did (with photos and video).

The Brous Blades T4 flipper is an outstanding flipper. Much better flipper action than my Brous Bionic, Reloader and Division. Action is as smooth as the Southard while as stout as the ZT 0801.

The tough and good-looking T4 has a lot going for it. A big 4" satin modified drop point blade of sharp D2 (59-61 RC) that's 0.19" but cuts great. The milled black G-10 handle and jimping are very comfortable. The stainless steel liner lock is effective with lockup at 30%. Weighs 6.5 ounces not 6.0 as listed on the Brous Blades website.

Also, it pays to wait since I was able to pick this up at quite a discount over direct or big online vendors. So, great value as well. My Serial# 38 of 500 comes with Certificate of Authenticity signed by Jason Brous on 10/25/2013.