Favorite Spyderco Flippers

Jcsixx01

Jcsixx01

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There are several Spyderco flippers that I find intriguing, but I haven’t handled any of them. What are your thoughts on the various flippers: Southard, Advocate, Smock, Tropen, Amalgam, etc.

I have the Rubicon, but the detent is light.
 
I own all of the knives mentioned and among those I like the Tropen the best. That's not to say I dislike any of the others, I just like the Tropen better than the rest.

My rankings for the ones listed (for my own arbitrary reasons) for form and function would be:

1) Tropen
2) Advocate
3) Southard
4) Amalgam
5) Smock
6) Rubicon 1
7) Rubicon 2

You didn't specify if you had a Rubicon 1 or 2, so I just ranked them both since I also own both of them. At least until I can sell the Rubicon 2 (see the "knives for sale" link below), which I like less than the Rubicon 1.

PS: I'd rank the Mantra 3 between 5 & 6.
 
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sgt1372 said:
I own all of the knives mentioned and among those I like the Tropen the best. That's not to say I dislike any of the others, I just like the Tropen better than the rest.

My rankings for the ones listed (for my own arbitrary reasons) for form and function would be:

1) Tropen
2) Advocate
3) Southard
4) Amalgam
5) Smock
6) Rubicon 1
7) Rubicon 2

You didn't specify if you had a Rubicon 1 or 2, so I just ranked them both since I also own both of them. At least until I can sell the Rubicon 2 (see the "knives for sale" link below), which I like less than the Rubicon 1.

PS: I'd rank the Mantra 3 between 5 & 6.
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Excellent info, thanks. Which has the thinnest scales of the top 5 on your list.

I was referring to the first rubicon.
 
Jcsixx01 said:
Which has the thinnest scales of the top 5 on your list.
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Thinnest scales or thinnest handles?

I'll just go w/handles, which vary in thickness based on the scales, frame and/or liner.

The Advocate has the thinnest handle; the Ti scales are textured and slightly contoured which make them feel much more comfortable than other flat Ti scaled knives like the SpydieChef. The linerless Mantra 3 is a close 2nd in thinness but is much it is smaller and lighter overall than the Advocate and, as a result, feels much less substantial in my hand; not my favorite. After actually comparing them side-by-side, the Mantra 3 would go to the bottom of my list.

The Rubicon 1 is the thickest but still feel good in the hand because of the the polished G10 and way it's contoured. The Smock and Amalgam are about the same width but their flat squared off handles are the least comfortable; same applies to the Mantra 3. The Southard is thicker than the Smock and Amalgram but just feels better in the hand even though it has flat scales because of the shape of the handle and the use of regular G10. The Tropen is a little thicker than the Amalgam but doesn't feel that way because of the smooth, contoured scales which are much more comfortable than the flat CF/G10 laminted scales on the Amalgam, Smock and Mantra 3.

The Tropen is still my favorite overall for it's size, feel, its unique design and its SD application.

The Advocate would be my favorite as a general purpose EDC knife based on overall size/wt and specific blade shape/design.

Opinions will certainly differ. This is just my personal take on the matter. ;)

As pictured below they are (right to left) the Tropen, Amalgam, Advocate, Smock, Southard, Rubicon1 and Mantra 3.

5DpoB6u.jpg
 
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sgt1372 said:
Thinnest scales or thinnest handles?

I'll just go w/handles, which vary in thickness based on the scales, frame and/or liner.

The Advocate has the thinnest handle; the Ti scales are textured and slightly contoured which make them feel much more comfortable than other flat Ti scaled knives like the SpydieChef. The linerless Mantra 3 is a close 2nd in thinness but is much it is smaller and lighter overall than the Advocate and, as a result, feels much less substantial in my hand; not my favorite. After actually comparing them side-by-side, the Mantra 3 would go to the bottom of my list.

The Rubicon 1 is the thickest but still feel good in the hand because of the the polished G10 and way it's contoured. The Smock and Amalgam are about the same width but their flat squared off handles are the least comfortable; same applies to the Mantra 3. The Southard is thicker than the Smock and Amalgram but just feels better in the hand even though it has flat scales because of the shape of the handle and the use of regular G10. The Tropen is a little thicker than the Amalgam but doesn't feel that way because of the smooth, contoured scales which are much more comfortable than the flat CF/G10 laminted scales on the Amalgam, Smock and Mantra 3.

The Tropen is still my favorite overall for it's size, feel, its unique design and its SD application.

The Advocate would be my favorite as a general purpose EDC knife based on overall size/wt and specific blade shape/design.

Opinions will certainly differ. This is just my personal take on the matter. ;)

As pictured below they are (right to left) the Tropen, Amalgam, Advocate, Smock, Southard, Rubicon and Mantra 3.

5DpoB6u.jpg
Click to expand...

Thanks! You’ve been very helpful.
 
Advocate (CQI) and Domino
The Advocate is just great! Very light and thin for a knife of its length! M4 is among my favorite steels also! The Dominos I’ve owned in the past all flipped well and are a nice EDC size. F&F on them all has been stellar!
 
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blades&wrenches said:
Advocate (CQI) and Domino
The Advocate is just great! Very light and thin for a knife of its length! M4 is among my favorite steels also! The Dominos I’ve owned in the past all flipped well and are a nice EDC size. F&F on them all has been stellar!
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I forgot to include the Domino in the photo/discussion above but I did pull it out and positioned it among the others. It fits in length between the Southard/Smock but the handle/blade is much wider making it look much bigger. It also has one of the thickest handles. It would not be in my top 5; the Rubicon, Domino and Mantra would probably rank 6, 7 & 8 in my book.
 
Didn't care for the Southard. Love my Domino. I really really want a Mantra 3, but not with S30V.
 
Pharmagator said:
The Mamba! is also my favorite Spyderco flipper...

I also really like the Sliverax....
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The Mamba is a whole other BEAST.

A great knife that I own but it's not even comparable to the others mentioned and certainly not the size one would carry as an EDC. On the other hand, while I also own and like the Silverax, the shape/design of the handle just doesn't work for me and I wouldn't carry it as an EDC either.
 
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Brawny said:
I've only had a Domino and it certainly functions fine.
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There's certainly nothing "wrong" w/a Domino but you could say that about any other Spyderco, flipper or otherwise..

However, when you compare it to other Sypderco flippers I don't think it quite measures up. Of course, opinions will vary based on what one considers important in a knife.

I own over 12 Spyder flippers and there is none better than the Advocate for an EDC IMO but that doesn't mean a Domino wouldn't be entirely suitable as an EDC too.

Just depends on what you like/want most.
 
I sold the Domino as I much prefer the Advocate. The Domino just doesn't feel as good in the pocket.
 
Brawny said:
Well, it looks like i may have to get an Advocate!
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Nothing "wrong" w/this decision, IMO. ;)

If you need further reassurance, you can read my "what Spyderco are you carrying today" review of the knife, that I am carrying today, here.
In case you are misdirected, it's post #12082 on Pg 605 of the thread.
 
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So SGT, in addition to being smaller and thin, what don't you like about the Mantra 3? I've had my eye on one since it was announced, but can't get excited about the black scales. Kinda shallow, I know, but I can't shake it.
 
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