assisted openers with flipper, but without internal AO-mechanisms?

D

dennis75

Joined
Jan 2, 2003
Messages
820
hi all,

getting interested in assisted openers lately because i handled a SOG Vulcan and the flipper using the index-finger works really well. i also like the fact that that particular folder has no actual internal mechanism, but only uses the flipper. so, no extra parts/spring to break down

here's my question: can you name some ao's that have a flipper, but don't have the internal mechanisms that make the knife unnecessarily complicated and more prone to defects?

i've done some web browsing, but so far i've only managed to find a few:

- sog vulcan
- crkt m16's/1*
- kershaw groove
- kershaw lahar

curious to know what other knives are out there that fit the bill

tia,
dennis75

ps. i wish benchmade would make one with an axis lock. that would be my ideal more or less. sadly they don't have any knife of those sorts in their line-up yet...
 
Not a flipper fan myself , but here goes , CRKT has a number of flippers - M16 an M21 family being an example . The Kershaw Junk Yard Dog is one of the smothest out there . If you like kershaw already ya prolly wont be happy with CRKT quality .

Chris
 
If it just has a flipper, it isn't AO.
I have a Groove, and its FRICKING AWESOME. Get one. You won't regret it.
There's also the Kershaw Junkyard Dog.
 
Im typically not much of a Kershaw fan but that Lahar is a crazy nice knife for the price. G10 handle, Nice ergos, Vg10 Steel, and all for about 70 bucks.
 
delkhouri said:
Im typically not much of a Kershaw fan but that Lahar is a crazy nice knife for the price. G10 handle, Nice ergos, Vg10 Steel, and all for about 70 bucks.
Click to expand...

One of my best folders is the Lahar. I'm not a Kershaw fan either for the most part but the Lahar is probably the best fitting knife in hand that I have. You can't beat the total package for the price.
 
As somebody else pointed out, these knives are not AOs. They rely solely on the flipper and the force you exert on it to open.

The Vulcan is the smoothest out of all those listed IMO. SOG is coming out with a mini-Vulcan in the next few months.

Other than that, the Kershaw Junk Yard Dog and Groove would be my next favorites as I am a fan of frame locks.
 
thanks for the responses so far. ok, a quick recap:

- sog vulcan
- crkt m16's/1*/m21
- kershaw groove
- kershaw lahar
- kershaw junkyard dog I/II

@cdf: probably right, i likely won't be happy with CRKT quality. typically i'm a fan of benchmades and spydercos. that kind of quality is my fave' stuff. some of the kershaw folders i've handled in stores didn't live up to my quality expectations either.....felt flimsy (leek, storm, ......)

d75
 
I have an M16 and you won't be flicking it open unless maybe you loosened the pivot and lubed the heck out of it. Mine certainly won't do it out of the box.

I also have a Kershaw Groove and it is amazing. It's so much fun to flick it open and I like the way there is actually a bit of technique/skill required to get it to open all the way with one flick.
 
If you like the CRKT M16 design, try to find an older one; the one I have from three or four years ago is a lot nicer than what I see in stores now, both in terms of smoothness and handle quality. Mine, if I keep it fairly clean and lubed, will flip open with virtually no effort and did so from the factory. Only beefs I have are that I'd like a better quality steel and the chisel grind is annoying. Other than that, I love the knife and carry it daily even though there are plenty of better quality knives around.
 
You need to see the Zero Tolerance 0200, under the same company as Kershaw. It's a beast of a knife that just flies open with the flipper. No need for an assist on that one. It's definitely not flimsy!

A. G. Russell used to sell a non assisted Camillus Cuda Dominator. Long gone, I'm sure, but that's one I'd like to get my hands on.
Speaking of the Cuda Dominator, It's mechanism is not a weak little piece of spring, as in most other AO knives. This is a mechanism that will seriously outlast them all. Mine operates very well, and has had no problem with the occasional pocket lint, or dirt. Tough as nails...

Daniel
 
dennis75 said:
hi all,

getting interested in assisted openers lately because i handled a SOG Vulcan and the flipper using the index-finger works really well. i also like the fact that that particular folder has no actual internal mechanism, but only uses the flipper. so, no extra parts/spring to break down

here's my question: can you name some ao's that have a flipper, but don't have the internal mechanisms that make the knife unnecessarily complicated and more prone to defects?

i've done some web browsing, but so far i've only managed to find a few:

- sog vulcan
- crkt m16's/1*
- kershaw groove
- kershaw lahar

curious to know what other knives are out there that fit the bill

tia,
dennis75

ps. i wish benchmade would make one with an axis lock. that would be my ideal more or less. sadly they don't have any knife of those sorts in their line-up yet...
Click to expand...

Huh?? do you mean non ao knives with a flipper??
 
yes, he means non AO knives with a flipper. I would call these knives EO, for easy opening. If that's what you want, wait for the kershaw RAM to come out, look up its video on youtube, best opening non AO knife out there.
 
I have the Kershaw Lahar ($60) and the Zero Tolerance 0200 ($130), both very well made non AO flippers. I would recommend both. The Lahar probably carries better since it is lighter.
 
Well I was inspired by this thread and loosened the pivot a bit on my M16-10Z. Thing flies open as good as my Groove now! SO much fun :cool:
 
You know, with a torx screwdriver kit and five minuets you can take the torsion bar out of any AO Kershaw, making it a manual flipper.

So, technically any Kershaw with a flipper will fit the bill.
 
zenheretic said:
Boker Plus line has one designed by Chad Los Banos, has a flipper and no extra springs.
Click to expand...

mpt059.jpg
 
Joshua J. said:
You know, with a torx screwdriver kit and five minuets you can take the torsion bar out of any AO Kershaw, making it a manual flipper.

So, technically any Kershaw with a flipper will fit the bill.
Click to expand...

that certainly sounds like an interesting modification! but won't that mess with the rest of the ao-mechanism? (like keeping the blade shut in closed position?)

curious........'cause it sounds like a great idea. i wouldn't mind buying a spring/torsion bar assisted opening Kershaw with flipper and then simply screwing out the ao-mechanism if it keeps the knife fully functional and safe
 
One of my friends has a Blur that broke last fall, He's been carrying without the torsion bar for a few months without any problems (tip down).

Don't carry tip up, and if you are really concerned most Kershaws have a safety, you just have to remember to use it.

I have to agree it would be a risk to carry without closing resistance, what you have to determine is if it's a reasonable risk.
 
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