Smoothest inexpensive folding knife (non assisted opener)

J

joepa150

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Mar 15, 2010
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Back in the day I used to love my Kershaw Whirlwinds (assisted opener). Through the years I have had other thumb studded or "spyder hole" knives. They were nice but they didn't open that fast. I then bought a family member a Kershaw Skyline and I was blown away at how I could open a knife ,that is un-assisted, so smoothly and easily. I also bought an Ontario Utilitac II and a Rat 1. Both are REALLY smooth openers. I don't even have to flick my wrist.

So what are some other folders that open fast and smooth and cost less than $50?

Thanks
 
CRKT Ripple is another option. I got my hands on a Kershaw Nura 3.5, and had high hopes, but the action is rather erratic.
 
Bearing system knives for sure. The Ripple is like butter, or silk, or snot in a door knob, or whatever other things describe smooth.
 
Almost any liner/frame/button/Axis lock knife that either comes smooth or has an adjustable pivot tension screw can be pretty awesome once they wear in a tiny bit. Even a $9 Sanrenmu 710 or 704 can work really nice, for instance. I'll bet your Spydercos were lockbacks - but the Spydi-hold can seem kind of long travel.

That said, I think the Skyline is a perfectly designed liner lock knife. It is fast, smooth and very safe.
 
Is this smooth enough?
[video=youtube;HlzDyrCdjYc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlzDyrCdjYc[/video]
 
If you like the flipper opening, the ones on bearings, like the Stobe, Nura, and Ripple, are probably going to be the smoothest in terms of least amount of friction/resistance. However, for those, the tuning of the detent can also make a big difference in the actual opening action. A firmer detent may take a bit more force to overcome, but the blade will also fly open that much faster.

The older Zing (the non-assisted US-made ones) and OD-1 models are also very smooth flippers. They're discontinued, but you can still sometimes find them on the secondary market within your budget.

The RAM (also discontinued) was around $50 back when it was still being made, and it is remarkably smooth, to the point that the blade will swing freely when the lock is retracted (like the knives with bearings). You might still be able to get used ones for under $50.

All the RAT-1 and RAT-2 knives I've handled have also been very smooth after wearing in a little. The CQC-5K and CQC-6K I have are also just as smooth after wearing in a bit.
 
The crkt aluminum shenanigan is really smooth and around $60-70, it will easily close itself by releasing the lock, just as good as any high end bb flipper I have handled (and better than some). Of course it may be a different story with the cheaper zytel handled one but I dont know. I dont think the shenanigan gets as much attention as it deserves, so it needs a mention.
 
Kershaw Chill is a neat lil flipper, really like my lansky fast responder, boker urban tank is huge and smooth.
CRTK drifter is a a good smooth opener.
 
I was surprised at how smooth the spyderco persistence was right out of the box . With the right click of your middle finger it opens just as fast as any assisted knife. If you prefer something larger there is the tenacious as well.
 
Like mentioned before:
Kershaw Strobe
Kershaw Nura 3.0 or 3.5
CRKT Ripple
CRKT Swindle
CRKT Carajas
CRKT Small Fossil

Some without flippers:
Spyderco Tenacious - Persistence - Ambitious - Etc
 
BladeChick777 said:
Like mentioned before:
Kershaw Strobe
Kershaw Nura 3.0 or 3.5
CRKT Ripple
CRKT Swindle
CRKT Carajas
CRKT Small Fossil

Some without flippers:
Spyderco Tenacious - Persistence - Ambitious - Etc
Click to expand...

How are you liking that Fossil? I've been wanting one for some time now, but another knife always comes up.
 
Blade-fiend said:
I was surprised at how smooth the spyderco persistence was right out of the box . With the right click of your middle finger it opens just as fast as any assisted knife. If you prefer something larger there is the tenacious as well.
Click to expand...

The Tenacious' that I've handled, including the one I own, all have pretty weak detents. Makes smooth flicking slightly more challenging. The Persistence and Ambitous are spot on though.
 
the crkt shenanigan is by far one of my favorite knives and its cheap (base model is $25ish with AUS8 steel)
I have an extra i would be willing to mail to you so you can try it out as long as you mail it back to me when your done trying it out
its a non-assist flipper
i have some really nice expensive knives but i still really like the shenanigan and i still carry it at times even though i have other more expensive knives with better steel.

let me know if your interested,

oh also this knife requires ZERO wrist flick as all true flippers should

i hope this offer isnt against the rules but since i have no intention of selling it so i dont think it does

CR-K480KKP.jpg
 
Crkt m16 & 21 are pretty smooth and offer a bunch of variations. Happy hunting
 
The smoothest inexpensive folder I've picked up lately is a Camillus "Titanium"? with I'm guessing ti liners. For 25$ at Wally world, I'm thinking "a nice catch" :)
 
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