We love all sorts of flippers. Sometimes we like a bit of flash. Other times, we just want to carry a flipper with an understated, refined look. Here are three clean classic flippers to fit any budget.
The WE Knife Company makes an outstanding premium-priced knife. The 3.7” S35VN spear point flipper effortlessly opens with WE’s ceramic bearing pivot system. Designed by Simon Crafts, this knife is loaded with interesting and subtle details. One such detail is the fuller. It looks like the straight pull openers on classic traditional pocketknives. The dual satin and stonewash finish and bronze hardware which give this knife a refined look.
The Array has a slim profile with leading lines on its stonewashed titanium handle. There’s jimping throughout for a sure grip and it comes with a titanium tip-up pocket clip. Between its low 3.4 ounce weight and it’s narrow profile, the WE Array is an almost effortlessly easy daily carry.
WE Array Details
- CPM-S35VN, Dual Finish
- 3.75” Drop Point
- Titanium Handles
- Frame Lock
- Flipper with Ceramic Bearings
- Tip-Up Pocket Clip
- 3.4 Ounces
- 4.75” Closed
- 8.4” Overall
The mid-range Kizer Barbosa is neither flashy nor ostentatious. It’s an understated design with a smooth opening and a good steel. It features a 3” VG-10 drop point with a satin finish. The flipper opening is effortless with the ball bearing pivot system. Once open, the blade locks in place with a liner lock.
Mounted on stainless steel liners, the textured black G-10 handles are durable and slip resistant. There’s jimping on the top of the handles so you can securely change your grip. The stainless-steel pocket clip is reversible so you can carry it either tip up or tip down.
Kizer Barbosa Details
- VG-10, Satin Finish
- 3” Drop Point
- G-10 Handles
- Liner Lock
- Flipper with Ball Bearing Pivot
- Reversible Tip-Up or Tip-Down Pocket Clip
- Lanyard Hole
- 4.125” Closed
- 7.125” Overall
No article about clean classic flippers would be complete without a budget friendly Kershaw. Designed by Les George, the Kershaw Valmara is a SpeedSafe assisted opening fast and reliable. The 3.1” 8Cr13MoV clip point has a stonewashed finish. The curving lines and grinds add interesting visual appeal without detracting from the simplicity of the overall design.
The GFN handles are contoured for comfort and textured for slip resistance. This knife is a mid-sized knife that at 3.8 ounces is remarkably lightweight. Finally, it comes with an ambidextrous tip-up pocket clip and lanyard hole.
Kershaw Valmara Details
- 8Cr13MoV, Stonewash Finish
- 3.1” Clip Point
- GFN Handles
- Liner Lock
- Flipper with SpeedSafe Assisted Opening
- Ambidextrous Tip-Up Pocket Clip
- 3.8 Ounces
- 4.1” Closed
- 7.1” Overall
You can’t go wrong with any one of these three clearly clean classic flippers. To get these knives, click any link in the article or simply click the button below.
All images courtesy of Smoky Mountain Knife Works – smkw.com.