I've liked the "flip flop" knife since I saw it a while back. There were several designs built on the same principle, made predominantly by Smith & Wesson and Ted Dowell. Out of the ones I've seen, the A.G. Russell design is the most well-made. The version I'll be reviewing today is the basic version: AUS-8 blade an an anodized aluminum handle. It's also available with a titanium handle and ATS-34 blade. The Funny Folder currently costs $35 for the AUS-8 model and $48 for the ATS-34 model, and both versions are made in Japan. This is model FF3AL, the basic model. It weighs in at a super light 0.9 ounce.
With a SAK Cadet for size comparison...
The Handle: The Funny Folder is quite compact at 2-7/8" long and 3/4" wide, and is 1/4" thick. The handle frame is made of stainless steel, while the handle itself is made of hard anodized 6061 aluminum alloy, colored black. The Funny Folder stays closed via small indentation in the black handle, which fits into a small protrusion in the handle frame. The handles themselves are void of any markings. Both are smooth and comfortable, with no sharp corners or rough sopts. The handle (I'm just going to call it the cover to avoid confusion) is attached to the blade, which is attached to the frame. Perhaps a video would help.
Here is a YouTube video of the opening and closing of the Funny Folder... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yO_KnSnglg
As you can see, from the closed position, opening is easy:
The closed knife...
1. Swing the cover (and the blade inside it) out of the frame, into the open position.
2. When the cover and frame are straight, you can rotate the cover to the side and back around the frame.
(from the side...)
The knife is now open.
The cover can swing either way (toward or away from you) and the cover can also swing left or right away from the blade.
The Blade: The Funny Folder has an AUS-8 blade at 57-59 on the Rockwell scale, and it's hollow ground all the way to the top. The blade is 2-3/8" long with a 2-1/8" cutting edge, and it's 1/8" thick. It's marked as follows: A.G. Russell on the left side and JAPAN on the right side blade. The blade is Mr. Russell's general purpose shape, which has proven to be very useful for everyday chores. Oh, the blade and cover are attached with a T-6 screw if you want to play with the tension. I've found that this wasn't necessary, but it's there if you want to use it. The blade came extremely sharp; typical of A.G. Russell knives. I haven't used it for anything more than paper and cardboard, and it performed very well at those tasks. It needed a light stropping afterward to become shaving sharp again, but I'll admit that it cut through a lot of cardboard before needing this.
In-hand...
I like the Funny Folder. It's a neat little knife, well-suited for dress carry or even EDC. It's small enough that it won't offend anybody, but still gives you enough sharp blade for most everyday tasks. I'd like it if the Funny Folder came with a small slip pouch, but that's a very minor quibble (and the only one I can find). Mine rides very well in an Altoids tin, and I have another in the fifth pocket of my jeans. Check it out if you haven't.
With a SAK Cadet for size comparison...
The Handle: The Funny Folder is quite compact at 2-7/8" long and 3/4" wide, and is 1/4" thick. The handle frame is made of stainless steel, while the handle itself is made of hard anodized 6061 aluminum alloy, colored black. The Funny Folder stays closed via small indentation in the black handle, which fits into a small protrusion in the handle frame. The handles themselves are void of any markings. Both are smooth and comfortable, with no sharp corners or rough sopts. The handle (I'm just going to call it the cover to avoid confusion) is attached to the blade, which is attached to the frame. Perhaps a video would help.
Here is a YouTube video of the opening and closing of the Funny Folder... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yO_KnSnglg
As you can see, from the closed position, opening is easy:
The closed knife...
1. Swing the cover (and the blade inside it) out of the frame, into the open position.
2. When the cover and frame are straight, you can rotate the cover to the side and back around the frame.
The knife is now open.
The cover can swing either way (toward or away from you) and the cover can also swing left or right away from the blade.
The Blade: The Funny Folder has an AUS-8 blade at 57-59 on the Rockwell scale, and it's hollow ground all the way to the top. The blade is 2-3/8" long with a 2-1/8" cutting edge, and it's 1/8" thick. It's marked as follows: A.G. Russell on the left side and JAPAN on the right side blade. The blade is Mr. Russell's general purpose shape, which has proven to be very useful for everyday chores. Oh, the blade and cover are attached with a T-6 screw if you want to play with the tension. I've found that this wasn't necessary, but it's there if you want to use it. The blade came extremely sharp; typical of A.G. Russell knives. I haven't used it for anything more than paper and cardboard, and it performed very well at those tasks. It needed a light stropping afterward to become shaving sharp again, but I'll admit that it cut through a lot of cardboard before needing this.
In-hand...
I like the Funny Folder. It's a neat little knife, well-suited for dress carry or even EDC. It's small enough that it won't offend anybody, but still gives you enough sharp blade for most everyday tasks. I'd like it if the Funny Folder came with a small slip pouch, but that's a very minor quibble (and the only one I can find). Mine rides very well in an Altoids tin, and I have another in the fifth pocket of my jeans. Check it out if you haven't.
