what are the benefits of axis lock? i have one axis lock knife but prefer one without.
I don’t think that there is any real life benefit to an axis lock, I think it’s more a preference of opening/closing method.
I personally prefer frame locks in general.
I agree, the Ganzo F7611 has one of the best designs from Ganzo lastly.
My new review about this model:
https://chinese-knives.blogspot.com/2018/02/review-ganzo-firebird-f7611-bk.html
I wish they made an m1 version (17cm~), it would surely be my new EDC (I currently carry an F753m1)
EDIT : I was thinking of the 7601, not the 7611
Do you guys have any suggestions for a ball bearing flipper? In addition to that i would like:
- Shorter than 16cm fully deployed
- No axis lock
- Pocket clip
Sanrenmu GR-605 seems like a decent knife but would like other suggestions. I dont think the 605 has ball bearings.
Not sure what you call flipper but the GR-605 is not a flipper.
Also. with smaller knives, the effect of ball bearings diminishes, so not too many budget ones available.
The Spyderco Techno clone has ball bearings but is not a flipper.
The Sanrenmu 7076 and Sanrenmu 7090 are 2 small flippers that don’t have bearings but are very smooth.
The Gnome is a nice small flipper on bearings but more expensive.
Looks like Isti beat me with the Gnome 
I have one of those Techno clones and although it has a smooth action I’m pretty sure it’s running on bronze washers.
FURA has a couple of nice titanium mini flippers here , here and here.
I got mine a couple of weeks ago and haven’t taken it apart yet, so I don’t know for sure but looking at it, it look like bearings to me.
Yep, I forgot about those Fura, not my style but nice finds.
Thanks for the suggestions. The Gnome is a beautiful knife but out of my budget range. Sorry but the fura knives are not in my taste, too….something, boxy maybe?
Wish the gnome was cheaper
I do dig the Sanrenmu 7076 LUX-GHV, i will search for youtube reviews on it.
I thought a flipper is a knife you can flip open? Im not good at knife terminology. SOme of the enlan knives might fit the bill too, are they regarded about same quality as sanrenmu and ganzo knives?
In my experience, yes. 
Thank you for the answer.
I did mention “flipper” and at the time i didnt know what the defenition of flipper is…but i do now after some reading.
I dont care if its a flipper or not, i might even prefer a non flipper but not the end of the world either way. More than anything, i want it to have ball bearings in it and not longer than about 16cm.
Save a little longer and get the Gnome. Very good knife. You’ll thank me later
What we typically call flippers is a knife that has a flipper tab at the back and that you open by pressing down on the flipper.
About Enlan, in my experience some are better than others, look at the EM-01 , I had it and it was a good knife and it should fit within your size requirements.
Funny youd mention, i do have a page open to the Enlan you mentioned. Its the size im looking for but doesnt mention ball bearings so it probably doesnt have it.
I like it regardless….and thanks!
No, this one definitely not.
I wouldn’t be so fixated on the bearings, there really doesn’t make that much of a difference on that size of knife, not enough mass.
Like I said, the 7076 doesn’t have bearings and is one of the smoothest small knives I’ve had.
These are nice too (Clones of Ganzo G719)
https://www.dhgate.com/product/fielder-automatic-folding-blade-knife-8cr14mov/407272897.html#s12-9-1b;searl
https://www.dhgate.com/store/product/new-arrival-auto-tactical-knife-8cr13-stone/405675333.html</blockquote>
Notice the clones have scales on both sides of the handle , the genuine G719 only has a scale on the button side.
.
The Genuine Ganzo G719 was available on their website: FOLDING KNIVES ganzoknife.com: buy FOLDING KNIVES, catalog ganzoknife.com, buy in USA
However when I try to get on their site today I’m getting this:
“Your connection is not secure
The owner of ganzoknife.com has configured their website improperly. To protect your information from being stolen, Firefox has not connected to this website.
This site uses HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) to specify that Firefox may only connect to it securely. As a result, it is not possible to add an exception for this certificate”
That Y-Start mini folder is a decent one although it’s not a flipper.
