When every second counts, a quick-deploying flipper knife is a great choice for your EDC blade. Unlike other knives, there’s no need to fumble around for a thumbstud or nail nick, and you don’t even need both hands free to open a flipper. Instead, a quick flick of the flipper tab opens the knife so you can get right to work. And when a flipper knife is paired with an assisted opening, operation is lightning fast. We’ve rounded up 10 of our favorite recent flipper designs. Each knife in this list exemplifies thoughtful and innovative design with solid construction and the performance you demand for EDC.
CRKT Raikiri
The Raikiri has a practical 3.75” wharncliffe-style flipper blade with a 1.4116 SS stainless steel plain edge that’s especially suited for utility cutting and slicing tasks. It has both a flipper tab and a thumbhole for quick ambidextrous opening, and the handle features durable yet lightweight aluminum textured for added grip. But what sets this knife apart aside from its futuristic looks is CRKT’s Field Strip technology that lets you take the knife for easy cleaning and maintenance without tools.
Zero Tolerance 0393
The new ZT 0393 features all the hallmarks of custom knifemaker Rick Hinderer’s signature style. It’s a standout design that’s made for action, whether for everyday utility or for self defense. It starts with the aggressive 3.5” CPM-20CV blade that’s forged into a hybrid between a tanto, drop-point, and spear-point design. Kershaw describes it as a harpoon, and it’s easy to see why: the blade is made to pierce through material cleanly and efficiently. But the presence of a curved belly lets it work well when it comes to cutting and slicing as well. The knife features fast, KVT ball bearing flipper deployment and a lightweight titanium handle with textured G10 overlays for maximum control.
Fenix RUIKE P852
Fenix’s RUIKE line marks their foray into making everyday carry knives. Their recent designs have made for compelling options, especially at their more-affordable price points. The P852 is a tough, tactical EDC flipper pocket knife made to get the job done. It features a 3.375” 14C28N modified drop-point blade with a slight recurve. The ergonomic G10 handle conforms to your hand, and at 4.6” long it affords a full grip. Its low-profile index tab lets you get enough purchase to easily open the blade when you need it, but it’s less prone to accidental opening in your pockets, too. The P852 locks via a stainless steel liner, aided by RUIKE’s Thumbs Up safety lock at the spine which adds another locking bar to hold the blade in place.
Boker Plus Urban Trapper Tanto
The Urban Trapper is a crowd-favorite EDC flipper knife. Designed in collaboration with custom knifemaker Brad Zinker, this update offers a 3.4″ Japanese VG-10 stainless steel tanto-shaped blade. Unique to this design is the variable thickness of the blade: it’s more substantial at the tip for stronger piercing while being thinner at the edge for fine slicing detail work. It retains the attractive and minimalist tumbled titanium handle that’s slightly skeletonized to keep things light at 1.78 ounces in total. And it still sports a slim yet reliable frame lock and a deep carry pocket clip for discreet pocket carry.
Kershaw Method
The Method is a sleek EDC pocketknife designed in collaboration with renowned custom knifemaker Jens Anso. It has a 3” plain edge, drop point blade in 8Cr13MoV steel with a pronounced curve and a slightly up-swept shape that makes it great for slicing and detail cutting work. The KVT ball bearings in the handle make for quick and easy one-handed operation. And the tumbled blackwashed blade matches the tactical looks of the grippy G10 scaling on the ergonomic handle.
Benchmade 756 Sibert Micro Pocket Rocket
Benchmade’s not really known for making flipper designs, but their collaboration with Shane Sibert in the Micro Pocket Rocket is a sight to behold. True to its name, this compact folding flipper knife is sized just right for lightweight, low-profile everyday carry. It features a sub-2” CPM-20CV stainless steel drop-point, flat-ground blade. Thanks to its stout profile and pronounced belly, the 756 slices like a knife that’s twice its size. Usually knives this small are a chore to open, but the notched flipper tab makes it easy. The attractive titanium handle matches the aesthetics of the stonewashed blade, and the frame lock ensures the blade stays locked into place during use.
WE Knife Practic
The Bohler M390 steel blade on the Practic sports immense 59-61 RC hardness, giving it impressive wear resistance. It’s an everyday carry blade that can stand up to extended use. It’s also highly-resistant against corrosion, so you can take it around with you even in inclement weather. The 3.3” drop point blade opens easy with the flipper deployment, and it settles into a handle featuring grippy G10 scaling and a reliable liner lock.
Ontario Carter 2quared
The Carter 2quared from Ontario Knife Company is an EDC flipper knife with a sturdy and overbuilt design that’s made to take on big tasks. It features a 3.5” wharncliffe-style blade with a slight curve and a hollow grind for ease of use during slicing tasks. It’s made of durable D2 tool steel, which can stand up to repeated hard use while remaining sharp over time. The titanium handle conforms to your hand for a better grip while being long enough at 4.8” to give you enough purchase on knife. A hefty frame lock rounds it all out and ensures the blade stays open during use.
GiantMouse ACE Biblio
In the Biblio we see what happens when custom knifemakers Jens Anso and Jesper Voxnaes come together to design a knife. The result is a standout performer, with hallmark design features reminiscent of their respective styles. Minimalist lines merge with organic curves while its materials lend to both tactical and outdoors use. It starts with the 2.8” drop point blade, composed of Bohler M390 stainless steel. Its high strength and durability, especially against corrosion, makes it a serious heavyweight contender. Deployment is made easy with the flipper, but there’s also an easily-identifiable thumbhole for ambidextrous use. And to hold the blade in place, it features a reliable hardened 420 steel inset liner lock.
Kizer Basalt
The Kizer Basalt is a slim and slender EDC flipper knife that’s as sharp as it looks. Premium materials abound in its design, from the 3.376” CPM-S35VN stainless steel clip point blade to the stonewashed titanium handle. With its remarkable edge retention, you can rely on the Basalt’s flat ground edge time and time again. And because it has a titanium frame lock, you don’t have to worry about closing up on you during hard use. The pronounced flipper tab doubles as a blade guard, and the channels cut into the handle help with maintaining an affirmative grip.
What’s your favorite flipper knife in 2018 so far? Let us know in the comments below.
