Front Flippers - pictures and discussion

Kizer's IG just introduced the Feist 2 along with anodized versions of the original Feist.

I'm not feeling the new blade shape but the flattened handle scales and milling is a welcome addition
 
SpySmasher said:
I always wonder who these people are who can afford to sit around all day refreshing their web browser. :)

I decided to pass on this new Shamwari and that Morpheus I have been admiring above. My knife budget is limited and I will need that cash for another knife I've decided on. :(
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you actually don't need to do that, if you set up your phone to have a push notifications for his posts. he starts firing off pictures before the actual posts so you have ample notice as well. i'm also pretty involved in sneakers, and compared to limited sneaker drops, most knife drops are easy to catch. however, after getting a defective piece from him, i kind of moved on.

in all fairness though, he was very responsive, paid for shipping, and refunded me immediately
 
Great news everyone! Viper knives just had a BEAUTIFUL front flipper at blade show I personally wasn’t there but saw a video on YouTube and it’s sick. It’s call the novis

 
It's quite nice. It sort of reminds me of the South African makers without actually parroting any of them. Might be that bolster.

It's completely off-topic but that Jesper Voxnaes model they may be the nicest-looking production knife he's ever done.
 
Just thought thought I would mention that I have a CRKT Aux folder which I can more easily front flip this knife open than I can using my thumb and the flipping disk. Nice knife but you will want to take some 100 grit sand paper to the scales to give them some traction as they are extremely slick stock from the factory. Note the sand paper does not ruin the appearance of the scales at all just dulls the look a little Nice knife. The funny thing was I did not like the Aux when I first go it but it has been growing on me and I have come to admire it for a number of reasons, not that it is without its issues but it is a very good knife in many ways.
 
Now, I haven't read the entire thread, so forgive me if it's been answered before.

I'm always looking for new types of knives, be it a locking mechanism I don't have, or a opening mechanism I don't have.
So if you were a cheap bastird, looking for a frontflipper, just to check it out, what would you go for?
 
@Rykjeklut My recommendation would be the Boker Plus A2 Mini. This is the version I own, rather than the standard/larger version, which at 8.5" overall is too large for me. The Mini version is 6.875" total open length and a good size for me...and at 2.3 oz. is very light. I don't love G-10 but it has a great shape and has a pattern that is very pleasing. The G-10 clip, which is also a first for me, works and looks great (despite not being deep-carry).

Before the A2 Mini, I had no experience with Boker Plus and decided to take a shot despite what seems like hit-or-miss quality from this division/line of Boker. Happily (luckily?), my A2 Mini is fantastic from a quality build perspective. Spec wise, this knife checks many of my boxes so I enjoy it immensely but the deployment is the star. I too really wanted a front flipper and this was my first. Flipping it is great and I can do it with the thumb or index finger easily and reliably.

Of course, "cheap bastard" is open to interpretation but this can be had for $80-$99. I'm not sure there are other/any front flipper designs out there for much cheaper.

I also own the Kizer Feist but it comes in at $168 and is not quite as rewarding to open/close.

Hope that helps.
 
Rykjeklut said:
Now, I haven't read the entire thread, so forgive me if it's been answered before.

I'm always looking for new types of knives, be it a locking mechanism I don't have, or a opening mechanism I don't have.
So if you were a cheap bastird, looking for a frontflipper, just to check it out, what would you go for?
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Crkt vasp. It's like 30$ give or take. It's bad quality but it's a cheap front flipper.
 
TheVik said:
@Rykjeklut My recommendation would be the Boker Plus A2 Mini. This is the version I own, rather than the standard/larger version, which at 8.5" overall is too large for me. The Mini version is 6.875" total open length and a good size for me...and at 2.3 oz. is very light. I don't love G-10 but it has a great shape and has a pattern that is very pleasing. The G-10 clip, which is also a first for me, works and looks great (despite not being deep-carry).

Before the A2 Mini, I had no experience with Boker Plus and decided to take a shot despite what seems like hit-or-miss quality from this division/line of Boker. Happily (luckily?), my A2 Mini is fantastic from a quality build perspective. Spec wise, this knife checks many of my boxes so I enjoy it immensely but the deployment is the star. I too really wanted a front flipper and this was my first. Flipping it is great and I can do it with the thumb or index finger easily and reliably.

Of course, "cheap bastard" is open to interpretation but this can be had for $80-$99. I'm not sure there are other/any front flipper designs out there for much cheaper.

I also own the Kizer Feist but it comes in at $168 and is not quite as rewarding to open/close.

Hope that helps.
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That A2 Mini looks neat, but I'm pretty turned off by my previous Boker purchases.

Mo2 said:
Crkt vasp. It's like 30$ give or take. It's bad quality but it's a cheap front flipper.
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LMAO it's an acronym. Cringe.
 
Yeah, Böker are really hit and miss. I'll wait for my tax return before I pull the trigger on anything. That A2 is good looking though, the Kizer looks a little... Kizery.
 
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So this one will be controversial: Elijah Isham's "Abstruse." Manufactured by Bestech and sold under his own label.

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Sorry to resurrect and old thread but i am pretty new to the new front flipper scene. I'm a constant flicker/flipper and always wanting to try new stuff. What are the current favorites for front flippers? Right now only have the Real Steel G5 and Twosun TS33.




Also what other ways of deployment are there? So far i've seen the thumb, index finger roll, and if the detent is light enough index light switch. My current goto opening is the pinky flip. It's also the best way to hand the knife to people opened.

 
dakine said:
Sorry to resurrect and old thread but i am pretty new to the new front flipper scene. I'm a constant flicker/flipper and always wanting to try new stuff. What are the current favorites for front flippers? Right now only have the Real Steel G5 and Twosun TS33.




Also what other ways of deployment are there? So far i've seen the thumb, index finger roll, and if the detent is light enough index light switch. My current goto opening is the pinky flip. It's also the best way to hand the knife to people opened.

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The favourites that are more affordable are the Kizer Feist which is small at 2.75 inches. The Boker Exskelibur 1 Titanium framelock which is a super slim very slicey 3.5 inch knife.

Just make sure you get the Exskelibur ONE full ti framelock, the exskelibur 2 isn’t a front flipper and the other versions of the 1 tend to have issues, even the ti framelock with the carbon fibre front scale. There is the Boos blade smoke which is sort of mid range priced.

At the higher end most of the custom expensive front flippers are made by South African makers. The most desirable probably being the Gareth Bulls (shamwari, miura etc..) the A2 front flippers and the Trevor Burger front flippers. There are many others like the JD Van Deventers, the Bester Ratels and many more. If you search South African front flipper or lip opener knife there are really alot.

Just read this thread and you will see alot of these knives discussed and represented.

I love front flippers because they allow for a great minimalist design with no thumbstuds in the cutting path or flippers sticking out.

Here are some I own.

Top to bottom: Kizer Feist (blue anodizing on feist is not stock), Gareth Bull Shamwari, Boker Exskelibur 1 framelock (note the details I mention about this knife above) and the Katsu Titanium Framelock. (Purple clip anodizing on katsu not stock)
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I also got this one recently. It is not a knife I would recommend because it is very finnicky to get set up working well. I managed to get mine working good, even still the knife comes with no clip, (bogus)
It is the knife on the right; the Mosquito Tactical Puppy.
8HibDfF.jpg

dc93tbg.jpg


So how are you liking your Real Steel g5 metamorph? They are supposed to release a higher end ti framelock version called the s5 I would love to try.
 
Lapedog said:
The favourites that are more affordable are the Kizer Feist which is small at 2.75 inches. The Boker Exskelibur 1 Titanium framelock which is a super slim very slicey 3.5 inch knife.

Just make sure you get the Exskelibur ONE full ti framelock, the exskelibur 2 isn’t a front flipper and the other versions of the 1 tend to have issues, even the ti framelock with the carbon fibre front scale. There is the Boos blade smoke which is sort of mid range priced.

At the higher end most of the custom expensive front flippers are made by South African makers. The most desirable probably being the Gareth Bulls (shamwari, miura etc..) the A2 front flippers and the Trevor Burger front flippers. There are many others like the JD Van Deventers, the Bester Ratels and many more. If you search South African front flipper or lip opener knife there are really alot.

Just read this thread and you will see alot of these knives discussed and represented.

I love front flippers because they allow for a great minimalist design with no thumbstuds in the cutting path or flippers sticking out.

Here are some I own.

Top to bottom: Kizer Feist (blue anodizing on feist is not stock), Gareth Bull Shamwari, Boker Exskelibur 1 framelock (note the details I mention about this knife above) and the Katsu Titanium Framelock. (Purple clip anodizing on katsu not stock)
g25N64K.jpg

566rmpM.jpg


I also got this one recently. It is not a knife I would recommend because it is very finnicky to get set up working well. I managed to get mine working good, even still the knife comes with no clip, (bogus)
It is the knife on the right; the Mosquito Tactical Puppy.
8HibDfF.jpg

dc93tbg.jpg


So how are you liking your Real Steel g5 metamorph? They are supposed to release a higher end ti framelock version called the s5 I would love to try.
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Thanks for the great info. I also like front flippers more than regular because of the tab sticking out of the back. The front tab let's the knife look more sleek. Definitely want to get a Feist. How is the Katsu? Been looking at that one too. Haven't seen the Mosquito one, looks interesting.

The G5 is great and lightweight. Got one for my daughter too. Only downside is the smooth aluminum. It does make it slick at times but it's tolerable.
The latest front flipper i got was the Real Steel G3 Puukko. I am really liking it, pretty heavy but i like the look and might get the titanium version.


https://imgur.com/a/kIk8Gnq
 
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