Am I expecting too much - a ? about flippers

UAB89 said:
Yeah I would agree flipping ability varies greatly depending on the knife.. Peoples options also differ on which knives are great flippers based on what they like.. Strong detent.. Weaker detent.. Push button or light switch.. Ect no I don't think your expecting to much I think you need to handle more flippers and decide for yourself what kind you like.. I own a sebenza, zt0450, Spyderco southard, and Kizer Gemini.. And I will tell you that all flip differently and require a different technique.. From my experience my southard is not the best flipper I own. Don't get me wrong it's a good flipper just not my favorite.. I would say the best out of the box flipper I own is the Kizer Gemini.. It is an excellent flipper with ceramic ball bearings it's increadibly smooth and takes almost no effort to deploy yet has a strong detent and can not be shaken out.. The Zt 0450 is also an excellent flipper! And probably my second favorite! It has a strong detent at first but after getting broken in and with practice it is an excellent option..

Another thing I have found is if a knife is dirty as in you let lent/grit build up in your pivot again the knife is not going to flip well.. I have also found that a small amount of pivot lube is essential for good action.. And different lubes work better for different types of pivots but that's definitely something to consider if your knife is not flipping as smoothly as you feel it should.. Hope this helps
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I haven't experienced enough flippers to know, let alone imagine, that different flipper knives require different techniques for ease of deployment but I am getting the picture. I consider a knife a tool - my experience has been that well made tools make work easier (assuming one knows the basics of the tool to begin with). As for keeping them clean - YUP - like any good tool - they need to be cared for. To me that goes without saying. Thanks for saying it, nonetheless - it is a good reminder.
 
Blues Bender said:
Bearings/washers have nothing to do with flipping action, unless it's an ill-fitted pivot assembly. The detent-fit and pressure the lockbar imposes on the tang are what make a flipper flip. That, along with the weight of the blade relative to the axis of the flipper tab too.
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Blues Bender...You are 100% right. It took me a while to accept that fact, but, I've proven it to myself. I've adjusted lock bar tension and mirror polished the washers & Nano Lubed two of my zt550's and recently a zt Gayle Bradley and they are every bit as sooth, easy & fast to deploy as most of my bearing flippers, be they SRBS or MRBS. There are multiple factors that create flipping ease, speed & smoothness...beyond just bearing around the pivot, KVT, IKBS, etc., etc.:cool:
 
Scrim said:
If you owned a Thorburn you'd be smiling from ear to ear understanding that his flippers open so fast and so smoothly...with barely a touch on the flipper tab. The guy's work is simply amazing in its precision...and beauty,
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Just got my first Thorbrn today, a L49 and I can attest to all that you said :)

Was always skeptical of front flippers simply because from an ergonomics point of view-- it just doesn't quite match up to a conventional flipper tab... To keep it short, I am totally blown away. Hopefully can dig out enough coins to get a few more now that I have discovered what Thorburn fans have been raving. Absolutely agree!




Surfingringo said:
As others have said, most flippers can be opened efficiently with the proper technique. I rarely have anything but high praise for Spyderco knives but the Southard you mention has very poor flipping action and requires a lot of technique. Add to that the (IMHO) awful ergonomics and it easily qualifies as my least favorite knife in the Spyderco lineup.
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Not hard to see why the few Spydeco flippers doesn't rank up there after opening them up and saw the bearings with those rather crumpy plastic retainers and that "plate" shape washer plate they use in there. the retainers ( at least on mine seemed pretty rough and I think the outer periphery is slightly scraping that raised washer (to protect the handle side). the other thing is the whole sandwich of handles bearings and blades are relatively thin as with most Spyderco knives.. very little room for tension adjustment to compensate for something "smooth" but with no play. The Spydie Southard is still a little better than the Domino which apart from the mentioned bearings/ washer issues also has more blade weight nearer the pivot area due to its relatively wider and shorter profile. Generally my preference is with their washer models... love my Lum zdp...
 
The bottom line is that all knives are different. I will agree the best action I have experienced is the ZT0900. Great little knife. I have had others like a Ferrum Forge that was horrible. Inconsistent to put it lightly. I hate to say it, but the best all around knife I have is a Chinese made knife(Reate Horizon D). Great materials and the flipping action is great!

You will have to get used to any knife, my Hoback Kwaiback for instance is a good flipper if you know how to use it. I think even between knives of the same model there are variances. Figure out what you like, and look for knives that fit that. Some people like strong a strong detent, while other like a softer one. Its up to you:)
 
Geez - I bought a Thorburn this week (which has yet to arrive) and I see 4 of these for sale on page 1 of the exchange since Sunday afternoon. These seem to come up so rarely.

Fortunately - I think the one I have coming is the nicest of this group and was the least expensive ;)

We'll see how smug I'll be when I actually have it in hand but for now, at least, I'm 'cited :cool:
 
Little late.....but I have 4 flippers.....Domino blue twill, black Southard, Brous Bionic and a Brous VR-71.
Both Spydies flipped great out of the box. Heard talk on the Spydie Forum of guys having trouble with the brown one and that the black one had some improvements....who knows. Asked my sons to try tonight, neither ever flipped before, both had no problems.
Both Brous blades are just flat out AWESOME flippers!! Bionic, with its lighter blade, has a strong detent and flies open!
The VR has a lighter, although NOT light, detent and kinds of glides open beautifully!!
I guess all knives, and hands, are different......
Joe
 
RayseM said:
Geez - I bought a Thorburn this week (which has yet to arrive) and I see 4 of these for sale on page 1 of the exchange since Sunday afternoon. These seem to come up so rarely.

Fortunately - I think the one I have coming is the nicest of this group and was the least expensive ;)

We'll see how smug I'll be when I actually have it in hand but for now, at least, I'm 'cited :cool:
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2 of 'em are now gone...

and yes, they are somewhat rarely seen for sale. I tend to grab them when it's a model I want and don't already have in my collection. And I do already have some duplicates. They're THAT great, IMHO:cool:.
 
Scrim said:
2 of 'em are now gone...

and yes, they are somewhat rarely seen for sale. I tend to grab them when it's a model I want and don't already have in my collection. And I do already have some duplicates. They're THAT great, IMHO:cool:.
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Did you buy them Scrim? :D No charge for the heads up if you are the lucky buyer.

EDIT - I see you sold yours and one of the sellers simply fell in re-love again. Bodes well...
 
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RayseM said:
1) Should I expect that a flipper will deploy to full lock up without a wrist snap - just using the thumb stud? (Let's assume with the blade facing downward as opposed to trying to open it from any angle.)
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Depends on whether or not it's assisted or equipped with a ball bearing system like IKBS. If yes to either, absolutely; if not, no, I wouldn't expect that.

RayseM said:
2) Should I expect that the tension on the pivot should be tight enough to do as I describe in # 1 without being so loose that the blade can be deployed simply by flicking my wrist - not using the thumb stud?
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Yes, I would absolutely expect this from any quality flipper.
 
Well I am happy to report that I have finally answered my own OP question & with my recent purchase have set the bar real high :D

Here it is - My first André Thorburn flipper - a preowned L42 built in 2013 (maybe owned by someone here on BF?)







Here with my trusty Endura for size comparison.



I think I got a good deal on this one - as it was well below $ 700.00 (though probably sold for less than $ 400.00 in 2013 ) :rolleyes: and except for one very nearly invisible blemish on the G10, a blade with a very sharp belly but not so sharp tip (an easy fix -now it is super sharp all along the edge) and a very tiny nick on the spine - it appears flawless.

As for the flipper action - :eek: :) :) :D It actually has a recoil :cool: it snaps out so fast and easily.

This is not a Thorburn with lots of details which I actually prefer. I'm not a big fan of his overwrought (my opinion) metal bolsters - though I have seen a few that were more understated and to my liking. Still this one has a bit of file work up by the flipper which makes for a very secure grip, a nice bit of counterpoint with the carbon fiber and inlay bolster, and the curved to shape pocket clip is very nice. Obviously some of the inset work was done with a laser. The screws and pivot and clip are all recessed perfectly.

The blue color made me hesitate a bit as typically blue is not my favorite and on the web site, from where I purchased, it looked a bit garish but in hand it is a very nice cobalt blue and not so electric. Even in these photos I could not get the color accurate. It is different enough to be distinctive and not all excited ;). At the time of purchase I looked at about a dozen other Thorburns, also available at the time, and I was glad to realize that this was was my favorite. Of course now that I am looking I could find myself lusting after others - isn't that always the way :D

It is on the small side - 7-5/8" OA with a 3-14" blade and a streamline profile. Exactly what I wanted as this will be my non-work EDC - carried lots and used as needed - not a safe queen.

Thank you all who suggested the Thorburn. It is so much light years ahead of the expensive custom that inspired the start of this thread. That one obviously needed work. I sent it back - much to my huge disappointment. It really was made specifically for me and to my specifications (style and materials). Though it was a beautifully crafted case and blade - exquisite material craftsmanship - as a working knife, it was not ready for prime time. The Thorburn, though not so custom, is exquisite in all aspects. I am very happy with it and so I share. Maybe I'll inspire others.
 
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I do believe that The Apostle P (for those of you that know who Rob is) is beginning to (fully) see the light. This, I believe, is the second Thorburn he's had come in for his sharpening services. Here is his reaction (and his newest vid at the moment). The well deserved groundswell of awe, lust and admiration for AT's work really should begin to manifest amongst the knife community like never before...assuming folks truly understand flipper knife supremacy and overall greatness, IMHO. Those who have seen, held and handled his knives....have known for a while now. :cool:
[video=youtube;6AXhm3UV1hY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AXhm3UV1hY[/video]

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and his earlier/first Thorburn review vid from about 6 months ago (as of today, 10/25/15)...

(This knife later sold on BF, asking price was $1200.)
[video=youtube;bHdYlGJPIcU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHdYlGJPIcU[/video]
 
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Those are OOHS a AHHS video if I ever saw two :). The thing is, he is talking about a knife brand that is flawless and consistent. I was flipping mine as I was watching. He is describing my knife too even though they were likely made quite apart from each other and the two in the videos are certainly above the price point of mine. Still, the centering and lock up, the precision of the fit, the contours and sharpness of the blade, and the incredible ease of the flip - no effort to full release and solid lock up - are not at all compromised on my more "generic" model. I can deploy this blade from any position with either hand and just as easily close the blade with the one hand. Never been able to do that with any other blade without needing some concentration - I am not a lefty. I'm sold on the Thorburn :thumbup:

The one in the second video is beautifully detailed - not overwrought at all!
 
RayseM, Congrats on your acquisition. As you now know, his products are simply amazing...not just beautiful & unique but also extremely well made. As you can probably tell by now...I'm a pretty big fan of his work, but I think it is justified. Enjoy your new L42 but I warn you, the more you get to know, appreciate and understand his incredible level of craftsmanship and design aesthetic, the deeper you will probably get hooked and feel the need for more Thorburns in your life. Perfection is a rare find in life. I think this is about as close as you can get when it comes to modern (flipper) knives...or even just pocket knives in general. AT's are wondrous things and highly addictive. There...you've been warned.;)
 
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RayseM that is a sweet looking knife! I'm jealous for real! I wish I had the funds right now to get a knife like that! (Full time anesthesia school=broke) but you for sure got your hands on a sweet flipper! That looks to me to be the perfect size edc! If you ever decide to sell it Hollar at me and I'm like you with no safe queens! Except I think it would be hard for that knife to ever leave my pocket! Congrats man
 
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