A few months back, I spoke about an EDC utility blade that I found and loved. A lot of people on knife forums claim that the “Exceed Designs” flipper is made in the US. I’ve found that while the Exceed Designs version might be assembled in the US, I believe it to be machined in China. In fact, I found the factory that I think is responsible for that machine work and bought the parts to build about twenty of them. Since then, I’ve been giving them away to buddies…
Anyway, this weird fascination put me on the map with other people that are into EDC flippers. One of those being Chaves Knives. Chaves builds a lot of short production, really well made knives and recently decided to design and build their own utility flipper called the C.H.U.B. Flipper.
The C.H.U.B. flipper is available with a number of different scale finishes and costs just over $200. Like the Exceed Designs version, it’s main ingredient is titanium and it locks via the frame. Oh… also… it’s made in China as well.
I was sent a C.H.U.B. finished with a black Micarta scale and thought you guys might be interested in my thoughts after using both the C.H.U.B. and the “Exceed Designs” versions for a few months now. So… Let’s do it:
Price
The “Exceed Designs” version retails at around $60, but if you play your cards right you can get them for as cheap as $40… or even cheaper if you are willing to research the shit out of Chinese factories and assemble your own.
On the other hand, the C.H.U.B. comes in at over $200.
Obviously, the Exceed flipper wins this round easily. But, what about value?
Quality
With each in hand, it’s very obvious that the C.H.U.B. is made of higher quality materials to a higher standard. The flip action is smoother, the tolerances are tighter (there is no play in the blade holder at all), and in use the C.H.U.B. is by far and away a better product.
But is it even $140 better?
Usability
The C.H.U.B. is more enjoyable to use just because of it’s build quality. BUT, the value of each isn’t defined by that… The beauty of the “Exceed Designs” flipper is that it’s light (almost a 1/3rd lighter than the C.H.U.B.), very small, and almost (not quite, but almost) cheap enough to be expendable. Break a blade holder by using the thing irresponsibly? Not a big deal… But do the same with the C.H.U.B. and that $200 price tag starts to sting.
The C.H.U.B. is also a bit harder to carry. Like I said, it’s heavier… but it’s also thicker and the pocket clip is less forgiving.
In short, they both do the same task equally as well. The Exceed does it a bit easier while the C.H.U.B. does it with more style.
Conclusion
If you are a knife guy… one that collects short production knives and appreciates a solid action, detail work, craftsmanship, style, etc… all the things that come with custom knives… then you *might* appreciate the C.H.U.B. even after spending $200 on it.
However, if you are just a guy that gets the whole utility knife EDC thing and want one that is easy to carry, the “Exceed Designs” version is the one for you.
Regardless, both of these are better EDC tools (for me) than any of the units from the major manufacturers like Milwaukee, Stanley, etc…
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You can get the Exceed Designs version here.
You can get the C.H.U.B. Flipper here.
