Best Flipper Around the $200 Range

A

ARundrpillow

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Jun 6, 2014
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OK I want to buy my first real flipper. I want to spend around $200. I would go a little higher if its justified. I need your suggestions AND reasoning behind it but they MUST fit the following criteria


  • Must NOT be assisted
  • Must be atleast a 3" blade
  • Must be available now. No lists or pre-orders
  • Can be production or custom
  • Non-Serrated edge

So far im liking the Spyderco Brad Southard Flipper, ZT Hinderer 0561 and Brous Blades Bionic so opinions on these would be great

Thanks for the help. I'm excited to see what you all come up with.
 
Go with the 0561 if you like bigger blades. It is slim so it carries well! However the others that you mentioned are good as well except for the Bionic I have never held one so cant say much about it.
 
I did not like the Southard (sold it), love my Bionic, ZT0801 is my fave so far though. The Bionic may be a bit smaller than you'd like.
 
Also maybe look into a Dendra Tiger Jump Flipper, about $205.00, and ZT 0801 witch flips as good as a $1000.00 flipper maybe even better then some!
 
I love my Southard. I actually traded a Large Sebenza for it (plus a little cash, of course) and I haven't looked back. One of the things I love most about it is that you can pimp it to death. Check this out: (Picture courtesy of evilgreg)

XilZphX.jpg


:)
 
mquez said:
Also maybe look into a Dendra Tiger Jump Flipper, about $205.00, and ZT 0801 witch flips as good as a $1000.00 flipper maybe even better then some!
Click to expand...

I really like that. I found a couple new on ebay for $185ish. I like a beefy substantial knife. I think the Bionic is out for now. At this moment its the Southard, 0561 and the Tiger Jumper
 
I really like the Southard. My brother got one and it's pretty sweet. I would get one but I think the factory scale is just horrendous. I can't justify the money only to have to replace the scale with an expensive custom job just to make the knife acceptable. Other than that the knife is top notch. YMMV.

Someone already suggested the Dendra, they're nice knives. The ones I've handled have flipped well and they're made by Lionsteel so you can expect a quality product.

My brother and I both just got Kizer flippers in the $180 range and are very impressed. Full Ti with very nice ano (or not), S35VN, Hinderer lockbar stabilizer, and thanks to their involvement on this forum and listening to their customers, reversible tip up/down carry on the new models. I also noticed after I bought it that they have ceramic detents. For the money they are real winners. They also have flippers much closer to the $100 mark.

Boker also makes some very nice flippers in the $150 and under range. Great collabs with GTC and Burnley, top tier makers. Although these are great knives, if I only had a few knives and really wanted a good flipper I might not choose the Bokers. They're fine knives and with IKBS they flip jist fine, but some, like the GTC Federal are roughly $150 for a 440C blade. Don't get me wrong, Boker does 440C as good as anyone and it's a fine steel for every day use, but many of the knives you mention come with much better steels for only a few dollars more. The Bokers are nice but I would buy them because I have a collection already and just liked them enough to have them. I really hope that makes sense...
 
Evilgreg where can I get my Southard pimped like that? Really like that white one.

Thanks, Sauce
 
Contact spketch. He'll hook you up. And that white scale is called Ivory Snake Juma. He just made a set for me (scale and LBS) and it's AWESOME!!!
 
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I will add a point for the ZT 0561 and 0801. Both are great knives in every respect. The 0801 was my first truly high-end knife, though I have traded it away. I just got in an 0561 on trade, and must say, the ergonomics for larger hands are phenomenal. Not to mention, the 3D milling on both the G10 and the titanium are simply sweet!
 
There are no bad choices among the three you have shortlisted. I personally love the ZT, but the Spyderco compares well feature by feature and is lighter and smaller for EDC. With the ZT, you get a bit better edge retention from the ELMAX steel, and you can get it with a blackwashed finish which is pretty awesome. The ZT is also made in the USA and the warranty from Kershaw is impressive, including replacement of the blade for $30 should it ever become mangled. The. Bionic is also made in the USA, but the aluminum handles are not gonna give you the grip or the wow factor of the textured G10 and titanium scales. The jimping is also very aggressive, perhaps uncomfortably so. I would drop the Bionic from consideration and decide between the other two. The ZT includes a steel insert on the lock bar to prevent titanium on titanium "sticking". It is built like a tank and has edge retention unlike anything I have seen. The blade is structured to provide a lot of strength and pretty thick spine, permitting a lot of pressure to be applied to it. The Spyderco is lighter and smaller, but only comes in brown and does not have as strong a blade. Both have ball bearing deployment / smooth action. The ZT has a four position clip and rides low, concealing the entire knife in your pocket. The Spyderco leaves a bit more exposed, and the clip is not positionable. This may be a factor for you. For me the decision comes down to size. Will the ZT be too big for you as an everyday EDC? If not, go with the ZT. Otherwise, the Southard is your choice.
 
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Wow awsome info and suggestions everyone. This is exactly what I am looking for. I believe I now have it narrowed down to the 0561 and the Lion Steel Tiger Jump. Anyone that could weigh in on the pros/cons and comparisons of these two it would be greatly appreciated. I do not mind big knives in my pocket. The Lion Steel seems to have a little more bling and be more decorative (machined pivot, nicer hardware). How do the actions and lockups compare? Ultimately function, robustness and durability are #1 and the comes bling. Its D2 steel vs ElMax so the Lion Steel needs to make up some ground somewhere. What is the blade thickness of the 0561?
 
ARundrpillow said:
OK I want to buy my first real flipper. I want to spend around $200. I would go a little higher if its justified. I need your suggestions AND reasoning behind it but they MUST fit the following criteria


  • Must NOT be assisted
  • Must be atleast a 3" blade
  • Must be available now. No lists or pre-orders
  • Can be production or custom
  • Non-Serrated edge

So far im liking the Spyderco Brad Southard Flipper, ZT Hinderer 0561 and Brous Blades Bionic so opinions on these would be great

Thanks for the help. I'm excited to see what you all come up with.
Click to expand...

Not trying to take anything away from the bionic or other cool options, but I would just flip a coin for the southard vs the 0561. Then get the other one later.
 
Zt 801 and you won't be disappointed. Great flipper, customizable, good steel and fits your budget. Whats not to love?
 
Well, the ZT has bearings and Elmax. The Dendra has carbon fiber and the Roto Lock. I also like the ergos on the Dendra more but that's subjective. I would choose the Dendra, but I also like D2.
 
ZT 0801. Best production flipper under $200.

I'm a huge fan of the Spyderco Southard, but I have to admit that 0801 flips better. 0801 flips better than most knives on the market.
 
ZT 0801 to stay under $200. At just over $200 Southard is terrific.

Dendra Tiger Jump is a beast with a 0.20" thick blade that's 3.75" long of Bohler K110 (D2). The flipper action is not as good as 0801 or Southard. More like the 0560/0561.
 
Gotta agree that the ZT0801 flips flawlessly - great piece of kit, highly recommended. The Southard is a nice compact EDC and the CTS-204P steel holds a mean edge.
 
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