Everyday Carry

20 Flipper EDC Knives for Every Budget

Authored by:
Jonathan Tayag
20 Flipper EDC Knives for Every Budget

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If you're looking for an EDC knife that's quick and easy to open, a flipper knife is a sure choice. They're made with a small tab on the blade that you can push with your index finger to flick the knife open. This lets you get straight to work without having to use both hands to get it open. It's fast, intuitive, and it's even better when paired with an assisted opening system.

Now, there's a lot of flipper blades out on the market, and they come in many shapes and sizes. The good news is that you can get yourself a solid EDC flipper blade no matter what your budget is. In this guide, we'll show you our favorite flipper knives, sorted by budget. That way, whether you're looking for an entry level knife or looking to pick up a high-end item, we've got you covered.


 Bargain / Entry Level (Under $50)


CRKT Vizzle

The Vizzle is an affordable way to get the top tier ergonomics of a Jesper Voxnaes-designed knife into your hands. Almost entirely concealed within its minimalist handle is a 3.353" hollow-ground blade with a slightly-upswept tip to increase its cutting potential. IKBS ball bearings make one-handed flipper operation quick and easy.

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Kershaw Cryo II

The design of the Cyro II is the result of a collaboration with custom knife maker Rick Hinderer. It features a 3.25" drop-point blade that you can deploy in an instant with SpeedSafe assist. It also has a solid frame lock with a stabilizer that stops it from travelling too far and wearing out.

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SOG Twitch II

SOG's Twitch II mixes modern minimalist design with a classy gent's knife aesthetic. The sharp 2.65" AUS-8 flipper blade has an assisted opening, but it locks into place with a lockback mechanism. With its streamlined look and deep carry pocket clip, it won't draw unwanted attention.

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Schrade SCH601Ti

The aggressive recurve on the D2 steel blade on this Schrade knife will make short work of your tasks. The textured ergonomic titanium handle will help you keep a firm grasp on the knife in use as well.

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Buck Vantage (Small)

This isn't your grandfather's Buck knife. The Vantage is a modern flipper knife with a liner lock. It has a sub-3", 420HC drop point blade that's excellent at cutting while still being easy to sharpen. At 2.3 ounces it  won't weigh down your pockets too much, either.

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EDCer ($50 — $150)


CRKT Crossbones

The Crossbones was recently awarded 'Best Imported Knife of 2017' at Blade Show. It's a title that's well-deserved. The Crossbones has a slim and streamlined design equipped with a sharp, full-flat ground, 3.5" AUS-8 steel blade. It also has an attractive double diamond pattern on its aluminum handle that helps you keep a good grip.

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Spyderco Dice

The Dice is a classic EDC favorite, and it's one of the few Spyderco designs that features a flipper. Aside from that addition, the Dice has all the Spyderco hallmarks. It has a premium CTS XHP steel blade that's 2.5" in length and has a sharp full flat grind. Ball bearings make sure the opening is quick and smooth. The Dice also features a Reeve Integral Lock that holds the blade firm and in place when in use.

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Boker Plus Mini Kwaiken

The Mini Kwaiken is another EDC favorite because of its sleek yet understated design. It has a 3.5" VG-10 modified drop point blade with a huge belly that's suited for cutting and piercing. Unlike a lot of flipper knives, the blade protrusion on the Mini Kwaiken is low profile. That makes it harder to open on accident in your pocket but also makes it visually appealing as well.

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Zero Tolerance 0350

The ZT 0350 is a Ken Onion design and that's plain to see from the organic curves on the blade to the ergonomic handle. It has a 3.25" S30V blade with a modified drop point shape that helps it cut like a much longer knife. The G10 handle conforms to your grip and helps you hold on to it even when things get slippery. SpeedSafe assist on the blade also allows for quick and easy one-handed operation.

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Ontario Knife Company Carter Prime

The design of the OKC Carter Prime has hard use in mind. It has a sheepsfoot blade made out of strong and durable D2 tool steel that'll stand up to whatever you throw at it. Pair that with a titanium framelock handle and it's a seriously tough combination. You can feel confident with this as an everyday carry folder when the going gets tough.

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Knife Enthusiast ($150 - $250)


Zero Tolerance 0220

The ZT 0220 is a collaboration with Jens Anso, a renowned custom knife and tool maker from Denmark. The 0220 has a premium S35VN stainless steel blade with a slight recurve that'll hold a great edge. The titanium handle lends minimalism to the design and toughness to its integrated frame lock. It also features KVT ball bearing assist for easy one-handed operation.

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Benchmade Precinct 320

The Precinct features a 3.3" drop-point blade made out of premium American 154CM steel. It's available both in a plain edge and with partial serrations to suit your needs. It also features an ergonomic handle with G10 scales for an excellent grip on the knife.

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Emerson CQC-7BW

Emerson designs usually feature their unique Wave opening feature. This version of the venerable CQC-7 gives you a flipper opening mechanism as well. The knife features an excellent 154CM tanto blade for cutting and piercing. The titanium liner lock holds the blade in place when deployed, and the G10 scales keep things grippy in use.

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Kizer Gemini

Custom knife maker Ray Laconico's design on the Kizer Gemini is simple yet gorgeous. The full flat grind on the S35VN blade mixed with the titanium frame lock handle make for a very attractive combination. The blue titanium hardware in the handle also lends some contrast and a touch of color. Don't worry though, this is a knife that cuts as sharp as it looks.

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Spyderco Positron

The Spyderco Positron is a lightweight premium EDC flipper folder. It's a collaboration design made with custom knifemaker Brad Southard. It weighs in at a mere 2.6 ounces because it makes a lot of weight savings with its attractive carbon fiber handle. The machining on the carbon fiber lends to an affirmative grip as well. It also features a 3.05" S30V steel blade with a sharp full flat grind.

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Grail Collectors ($250+)


Zero Tolerance 0562CF

This knife features a premium CPM-S20CV stainless steel modified drop point blade. Its stonewash satin finish works well with the lightweight carbon fiber handle. The handle is ergonomic, and its designed to help prevent you from cutting yourself in hard use.

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Hinderer XM-18

There are a few Hinderer designs on this list, but this is the full-on designer knife experience. The XM-18 spares nothing to deliver you a flipper knife you can rely on when your life depends on it. It has a 3.5" spearpoint S35VN stainless steel blade. The handle has an exquisite textured G10 design on one side and a titanium frame lock on the other.

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Spyderco Magnitude

The Magnitude has a design that's reminiscent of what you get with a full size fixed blade knife, all in a folder. It has a lightweight carbon fiber handle with a titanium liner lock. That handle design lets you get a full grip on the blade in standard or reverse grip. A deep guard on it keeps your hand safe during hard use situations. The blade itself is S30V premium stainless steel and full flat ground. While it has the trademark Spyderco hole, this Peter Carey design also has a flipper opening.

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Benchmade Proxy 928

The Benchmade Proxy 928 has a streamlined G10 handle and a titanium monolock. The 3.87" drop point blade is a hard and sharp, made out of CPM-20CV stainless steel. This high end Benchmade knife is available with both partial serrations and a plain edge.

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Lionsteel TRE

The Lionsteel TRE features Bohler M390 powder steel in its blade. Its hardness and sharpness amplifies the cutting power of its drop point blade and flat grind. The flipper action offers quick IKBS ball bearing assisted opening action. Unlike other flipper knives in this category, you can remove it when you want. That's because with a little bit of modification on your part, this knife supports its removal in place of a thumbstud or nothing at all.

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Did we mention your favorite flipper knife? What do you use and why? Let us know in the comments below!

Jonathan Tayag

Senior Contributor


About the Author
Jonathan Tayag is secretly an information technology and corporate security expert who prefers to moonlight as a creative event and commercial photographer whenever possible. His varied experience and substantial travels have led him to seek, without even thinking about it at first, the best gear for the best use at the best price available. Before the concept of EDC (everyday carry) firmly took hold, Jonathan already spent untold amounts of time optimizing for the best-in-slot pieces of gear, from cameras and lenses to pocket knives, pens, and bags and packs. In November 2015, Jonathan joined EverydayCarry.com and has since written numerous articles and guides to help impart his knowledge to the community as a whole.

Jonathan's photographic works have appeared on numerous online websites, print, video, and television outlets for over a decade. Jonathan's previous clients include Blizzard Entertainment, Red Bull, ESL, Razer, and several other endemic and non-endemic esports sponsors and brands. His work also features heavily in online competitive gaming communities, especially those of the StarCraft and Fighting Game genres. You've likely seen his work if you've spent time in a stream or in-game chat over the years.

Discussion (15 total)

Kenny ·
No Griptillian?
James ·
The TRE is supposed to be pretty crappy as a flipper. Because it's also made to open when using the optional thumb disc, the detent was made relatively weak.
Jeremy ·
I've got the Carter Prime, love that knife! Solid and very sharp out of the box. It's pretty much become my go-to carry blade.
Matthew ·
Kershaw Skyline is a great entry level, quality blade.
Aaron Pierce ·
I've been critical of some of the write-ups in here lately, but I have to say--this was well-done. You can't mention them all, but I was glad to see the variety mentioned here. Worth noting is the ZT0450 and the ZT0900. Both of those are great knives. Last but not least is the Medford Knife and Tool 187F. You get a flipper knife with a blade that's .190" thick! Truly, these knives are beastly!
Drew ·
I have the Proxy but hardly use it. Its large and holds the same blade length as my smaller and lighter knives do. Would've been better if they pulled back the blade to the handle. Also, I like a flipper that can protect my thumb when folding the blade. There is almost no flipper to stop the blade before I get a nice kiss on the thumb from the cutting edge.
Robert Duncan ·
Great list of filppers!
1 more comments