KA-BAR and Jesse Jarosz Debut New Flipper Knife

KA-BAR and Jesse Jarosz are back with a new pair of Jarosz Flipper folders. The models take cues from a recent Jarosz custom project and incorporate some material upgrades over the last folding knife from this manufacturer and maker.

Designed for regular EDC use, the Flippers can be in two different blade shapes: a wharncliffe that measures 3.4 inches, and a slightly longer spear point that is 3.5 inches long. A tan G-10 front scale is mated to a titanium frame lock, with Jarosz’s signature clip incorporated as well. The backspacer is designed to function as an oversized lanyard hole cutout. “This knife is meant to be an EDC workhorse,” says KA-BAR’s Joseph Bradley. “It is a well-built knife and the flipper is meant to help with one-handed operation.”

If the Flipper looks familiar to Jarosz fans, that’s because it is a production riff on the Flare, his most recent custom design and the first flipper knife to be added to his catalog for some time. “The KA-BAR Jarosz Flipper Folders are certainly inspired by Jesse’s custom Flare,” says Bradley. The goal was to put this until-now exclusive design into the widesread KA-BAR user base, similar to what was done with Jarosz’s last folder design, based off his Tetrad model. “I love Jesse’s custom folders, but Jesse and KA-BAR realize not everyone can afford a custom folder,” Bradley explains. “This knife gets a quality blade in a lot of people’s hands who may not otherwise have that option.”

Compared to that last Jarosz Folder, which was a steel liner lock with GFN handle scales, the Flipper sports a bump up in materials to G-10 and titanium. Bradley says that we can thank KA-BAR’s new State & Union custom shop for the material inspiration. “We have been working with titanium quite a bit in our State & Union shop – the first thing we did here when we got in samples of these knives was anodize the titanium,” he tells us. Eventually, the Flipper will be available in other materials and configurations. “Our long term goal is to have more options for handles, steel, and hardware.”


Knife featured in image: KA-BAR Wharncliffe Jarosz Flipper