Choosing the best flipper knives can be difficult. Mostly because there are so many options on the market ranging from different blade types to different lengths and handles. Many individuals are influenced by the knife design and appearance. Thereby, they forget that the most important aspect of a knife is a rustproof blade that is made of durable stainless steel, preferably a forged one.
Moreover, you might want to look for a blade that has been coated either with a carbon or nitride layer. Because this will prevent the knife from rusting and corroding meanwhile giving it added strengthens. Plus, a comfortable and ergonomic handle is another aspect that you should look for especially if you are planning on using the knife quite frequently. Some flipper knives might have plastic handles while others might even have glass-filled nylon ones or simply stainless steel ones.
Top 7 Best Flipper Knife Reviews in 2023
SOG Twitch II Folding Knife
The SOG knife is made from an imported stainless steel knife with a handle is made out of Rosewood covered in anti-slip rubber mould for added comfort. The knife comes with a separate soft pouch to store the blade when they are not in use plus they vary in different shapes thereby giving you lots of possible options of filleting fish.
- 2.6″ interchangeable blade
- Glass-reinforced nylon handle
- Anti-slip
- Soft pouch for storage and genuine leather sheath
- The sheath has been reported to be smaller than the length of the blades
- Blades will need to be sharpened
- Not dishwasher safe
Zero Tolerance 0450CF Folding Knife
A durable and sleek 3.25 inches flipper knife made from tough and resistant nitride coated stainless steel that customers have reported makes the knife chip-free and has improved edge retention. The handle of this flipper knife made from carbon fiber and titanium coated stainless steel plus the design of the handle is ergonomic thus making holding this knife comfortable with little strain to your hands and wrists.
Customers who have bought this knife have reported the knife being very balanced and precise moreover it quickly opens and closes thus becoming a great survival knife. Furthermore, the overall design is really sleek and modern hence can become a great gift for your loved one who enjoys the outdoors.
- Sleek and modern
- Balanced and precise
- Titanium coated stainless steel
- Makes great gift
- Lots of counterfeit knives on the market
- Comes without a sheath or a box
- Available only in one length
Harnds Update Assassin Flipper Knife
A large but slender pocket knife, the Harnds Assassin has been a crowd-pleaser for quite a while. However, when it came out, there wasn’t a pocket clip. The Update Assassin comes with a pocket clip which increased the knife’s popularity even further. This slim flipper, with its 3.78-inch long blade, can easily double as a gentleman’s knife.
The blade is Sandvik 14C28N steel(58-60 HRC), so while it has superb edge retention, it’s quite hard to sharpen. Thankfully, you wouldn’t have to worry about that for a while. The handle is a lightweight G-10, which houses a buttery smooth liner lock. You’re going to love how easily the blade deploys.
However, after using it for a few months, the lock sometimes comes way too loose, so much so that the blade opens up with a slight, accidental shake. Customers tend to complain about the clip, which gets scuffed quickly and tends to lose its hold. However, despite all these grievances, I think it’s quite a capable flipper knife in this price range.
- Slim and smart profile
- At 3.78 inches, the blade is quite long
- Lightweight G-10 handle
- Buttery smooth liner lock
- Rust-free ceramic ball bearing pivot system
- Liner lock sometimes loosens up to the point that it becomes dangerous
- The belt clip isn’t durable
Zero Tolerance 0450 Flipper Knife
Zero Tolerance 3.25 inch has Stainless Steel Blade with titanium handle looked sleek and beautiful hence it will make a great gift for knife enthusiasts or outdoor lovers. Moreover, the blade tends to get narrower to the front thus becoming sharper; this makes it perfect for small and precise cuts.
Furthermore, the deployment mechanism has been reported to be quick as well as flawless but will require some oiling from time to time to keep working well. Also, try and avoid keeping the knife wet or in humid conditions because it might start to rust especially where the deployment mechanism is.
The blade itself is forged from titanium coated stainless steel for added strength and has a bearing lock system that fixes it in place thus making lifting an easy task with this knife. The blade has been reported to be sharp enough to be used straight from the box but will still need regular sharpening if you intend on using it frequently.
- Durable
- Tough
- Locking technology for easy opening and folding
- Can feel heavy
- Needs special cleaning care
Buck Knives Vantage PRO Flipper Knife
Buck Knives Vantage Pro Folding Knife with pocket clip looks sleek and beautiful hence it will make a great gift for knife enthusiasts or outdoor lovers. Moreover, the blade tends to get narrower to the front thus becoming sharper; this makes it perfect for small and precise cuts.
Furthermore, the deployment mechanism has been reported to be quick as well as flawless but will require some oiling from time to time to keep working well. Also, try and avoid keeping Buck knife wet or in humid conditions because it might start to rust especially where the deployment mechanism is.
The blade itself is forged from titanium coated stainless steel for added strength and has a bearing lock system that fixes it in place thus making lifting an easy task with this knife. The blade has been reported to be sharp enough to be used straight from the box but will still need regular sharpening if you intend on using it frequently.
- Durable
- Tough
- Locking technology for easy opening and folding
- Can feel heavy
- Needs special cleaning care
Ontario Carter Prime Flipper Knife
The Ontario folding knife is among some of the best flipper knives currently on the market. It is very lightweight and compact in size making it a perfect option to be carried in the pocket.
Moreover, it has a sharp blade right out of the box and does not require frequent sharpening. Plus, it is very easy to open and fold whenever needed as well as easy to clean with a simple soap solution. However, it will need to be dried right after to avoid rust marks from appearing plus customers can choose from different lengths.
- Available in several colours
- Easy to sharpen and clean
- Pocket size
- Easy folds and unfolds whenever needed
- The blade is fairly short
- Made in China
- The blade deployment was reported to slow down after some time
Zero Tolerance Hinderer Flipper Knife
If you’re prone to using your EDC for outdoor tasks and don’t want scuffs and scratches showing up quickly, this ZT flipper would be ideal for you. The steel knife with titanium handle looks very understated and rugged, and it works like a dream. This knife is named “Hinderer” because Rick Hinderer, a custom knifemaker, designed it.
Zero Tolerance took the design and precision built this stunning flipper. CPM 20CV steel is what was used to make the hollow ground, brushed drop point blade. As a result, it is tough and wear-resistant. Even after a lot of usages, the knife retains its wicked sharp edge. Moreover, the build ensures there’s little to no blade play.
What can be better than such a functional and straightforward blade? Well, the handle, of course! The titanium handle is lightweight yet tough as a nail and rust-proof. It houses a well-constructed liner lock that’s rather stiff at first. However, after a bit of practice, I guarantee you’re going to fall in love with it.
- Sturdy titanium handle
- Wear-resistant CPM 20CV steel blade
- Extra-deep carry reversible pocket clip
- Liner lock with lock-bar stabilizer
- It seems a bit overpriced, but then again, the handle is titanium, so it’s only to be expected
What Knife Is Better Folding or Fixed?
Before you decide whether you need a folding or fixed knife try and think about what you are buying it for. Are you planning on taking it on camping trips or seldom use it around the house to cut household things such as ropes, trees or other things.
Harder tasks such as cutting firewood or using the knife for hunting purposes will definitely require a fixed blade. Fixed blades knives are available in half or full tang blades with full tang blades being the most durable and long-lasting as they are moulded right into the handle.
Half tang blades are recommended to be avoided if you are planning on using the knife on a frequent basis because they can come apart from the handle. Furthermore, avid hunters and outdoor lovers prefer drop-point blades or even Persian blades because they are much sturdier and balanced while offering greater control to the user.
What Can Rust or Corrode Stainless Steel Blade?
Most individuals falsely believe that only water can rust or corrode stainless steel blades, however, that is not true because stainless steel can easily discolour when it comes in contact with acids for example from oranges, lemons or even tomatoes. Luckily, a lot of manufacturers have now designed various knives that are resistant to the effects of such acids and as consequence do not rust or corrode.
However, you must remember that the more resistant the blade is to corrosion or rust, the weaker and thinner the blade usually is. Also, you must evaluate the thickness and toughness of the blade as some blades tend to bend and even break when they are used for harder tasks such as cutting thick branches of wood.
Manufacturers use several types of stainless steel for knife production and these often include the 1095 category of stainless steel as well as 3V and INFI stainless steel. These types of stainless steel can be found on a wide range of knives ranging from smaller paring knives to the largest chef and Santoku knives that can go as long as 8 inches.
Lastly, think about the blade hardness as it is not the same as blade thickness. The hardness of the blade is determined by how long it can resist bending especially at the tip when force is applied. Professionals usually call the knife’s ability to edge holding ability plus stainless steel hardness can be measured on the infamous Rockwell scale.
How to Pick a Favorite Out of The Best Flipper Knives
Flipper knives are various folding knives that allow for easy use with one hand during an operation. There are several flipper knives on the market, and it can often be challenging for an individual to opt for one. Some people decide based on aesthetics; others decide to look at the knife’s length or shape of the blade. If you want to make a good and informed decision before buying the best flipper knives, check this guide to get started.
Blade Material
You need to watch out for the blade material because it is an outstanding feature. The most typical and best material is stainless steel, and it is recommended because it cannot rust and can be easily sharpened and maintained. Also, you can select flipper knives with carbon steel; they are more robust, and some individuals prefer their looks. However, it is an arduous process to get them sharpened.
Handle Material
The handle of a flipper knife is an integral part of the knife. It would help if you had a flipper knife with an ergonomic handle that allows for easy use. While using the flipper knife, you have to ensure the blade is far from your hand.
Safety Lock
Some people do not consider this feature until they are injured. It would be best if you had a flipper knife that comes with a safety lock. This mechanism prevents the blade’s activation. The safety lock allows the blade to get locked when it is not folded. If you are using a flipper knife for the first time, get one with a safety lock.
Weight
One of the primary goals when choosing a flipper knife is a lightweight model. The last thing you want is a heavy knife that makes it inconvenient for you to use. Hence, select knives that are easy to carry and lightweight.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How Does a Flipper Knife Work?
A: A flipper knife works quite similar to the way that an assisted opening knife works. There’s a flipper lever or bar that you use to open the knife partway, and the assisted mechanism does the rest of the work.
Q: Why Are Flipper Folders So Popular?
A: There aren’t a lot of options to choose from when it comes to folding knives. Manual opening knives are too slow and a little clumsy, while automatic knives or switchblades are illegal in many places. Flipper folders offer fast, one-handed deployment, and that’s what got them the popularity.
Conclusion
By the end of this guide, we strongly believe that you will enough knowledge and information to go shopping for the best flipper knives on the market that will suit your budget. This list has several economical options as well as few knives that are from premium manufacturers. Whatever knife you choose to buy at the end, always check to see if it has a warranty. Because this will give you some added assurance of the quality of the knife and blade.
Lastly, never forget to shop for a knife keeping all the important aspects we have mentioned on top. These options will hugely determine how long and how well your knife will last especially if you are planning on using it on regular basis.