Assisted vs. Non Assited flippers

flash900 · Dec 4, 2012

solidorange said:
Maybe it is just me, but I feel like I have "outgrown" assisted openers. When I first started buying knives, I looked almost exclusively for SpeedSafe models, but now I am to the point that when I buy one, the first thing I do is see if it will work without the torsion bar. The only reason I still have some assisted is because many models do not have a stand-alone detent.

To me, a good manual opener is like a good manual transmission. Sure, an automatic is easier to use and arguably shifts faster, but you just don't get to "feel" it working.

Well said!

xylum · Dec 4, 2012

I got a Shallot awhile back. It flips open really solid, with a nice "Thwack!", I really liked it. But after the novelty wore off, I found it was loud a bit obnoxious, especially in some public situations. There's a certain amount of, "HERE I AM! WITH THIS KNIFE!" quality to it, that I'm too old, modest, shy or laid back to really do all the time. (I'm exaggerating a bit, but hopefully you get the feeling here.) I'm more of a "Don't mind me, just needed to cut something over here" kind of guy. There's something more appealing about the controlled, smooth, slow draw of a manual. That said, I do still carry the Shallot on occasion, when I'm feeling a bit more lively. But I probably won't be picking a another AO. No hate, just isn't my thing.

Chris Wille · Dec 4, 2012

I can careless really.I have both and like both ..Manuals aren't all super smooth some you flick the wrist there is the loud snap of a AO so really its just personal preference.But i must admit flipping my RAM is awesome so smooth for a non assisted .But then i open my vapor 3 ouch horrible thumb studs [that's a different ball of wax right there].I prefer flippers manual or AO. If it has thumb studs i want a flipper option unless it's AO

AdioSS · Dec 4, 2012

I got a ZT350 today. The detent on it with the torsion bar keeping it closed makes it require more pressure than any of my other AO knives. So, after all I have read on her from others who have removed the torsion bar from their 350s, I thought I would try it. It definitely is easier to open. It will even open by flicking my wrist. It just doesn't really open that smoothly. The blade drags on the liner without the torsion bar in mine.

I'll be putting the bar back in, but maybe I'll figure out a way to get it past that tough spot...

flash900 · Dec 4, 2012

AdioSS said:
I got a ZT350 today. The detent on it with the torsion bar keeping it closed makes it require more pressure than any of my other AO knives. So, after all I have read on her from others who have removed the torsion bar from their 350s, I thought I would try it. It definitely is easier to open. It will even open by flicking my wrist. It just doesn't really open that smoothly. The blade drags on the liner without the torsion bar in mine.

I'll be putting the bar back in, but maybe I'll figure out a way to get it past that tough spot...

Sadly, not all of the Speedsafe folders work well with the torsion bar removed, as many have learned.

Chris Wille · Dec 4, 2012

Just got a ZT 0350 as well.I'll be leaving mine as is.I love it:thumbup:

AdioSS · Dec 4, 2012

After disassembling it all the way, cleaning it well, lubricating it, & a wee bit of work with a carbide bit, my knife now opens considerably easier & quicker

2ac · Dec 4, 2012

AdioSS said:
After disassembling it all the way, cleaning it well, lubricating it, & a wee bit of work with a carbide bit, my knife now opens considerably easier & quicker

Mind sharing what you did with the carbide bit? I just put my torsion bar back in, after trying it for a bit without. I think I like it better assisted, but it couldn't hurt to take a bit less effort.

NorCalMtn2 · Dec 4, 2012

AdioSS said:
I got a ZT350 today. The detent on it with the torsion bar keeping it closed makes it require more pressure than any of my other AO knives. So, after all I have read on her from others who have removed the torsion bar from their 350s, I thought I would try it. It definitely is easier to open. It will even open by flicking my wrist. It just doesn't really open that smoothly. The blade drags on the liner without the torsion bar in mine.

I'll be putting the bar back in, but maybe I'll figure out a way to get it past that tough spot...

Something isn't right, my de-torsioned 0350 opens and closes perfectly with no resistance or rubbing sounds. The retention is good, but easy to push through and the blade is centered when closed.

solidorange · Dec 4, 2012

NorCalMtn2 said:
Something isn't right, my de-torsioned 0350 opens and closes perfectly with no resistance or rubbing sounds. The retention is good, but easy to push through and the blade is centered when closed.

Same here. Mine is just as smooth as my Junkyard Dog, and that is saying a lot.

BobSig · Dec 4, 2012

AdioSS said:
I got a ZT350 today. The detent on it with the torsion bar keeping it closed makes it require more pressure than any of my other AO knives. So, after all I have read on her from others who have removed the torsion bar from their 350s, I thought I would try it. It definitely is easier to open. It will even open by flicking my wrist. It just doesn't really open that smoothly. The blade drags on the liner without the torsion bar in mine.

I'll be putting the bar back in, but maybe I'll figure out a way to get it past that tough spot...

This happens to me sometimes. If you get it together with out the blade rubbing the liner you should be good to go. The lack of torsion bar probably isnt causing the rubbing, it just happens sometimes when assembling the knives again.

BobSig · Dec 4, 2012

BobSig said:
This happens to me sometimes. If you get it together with out the blade rubbing the liner you should be good to go. The lack of torsion bar probably isnt causing the rubbing, it just happens sometimes when assembling the knives again.

solidorange said:
Same here. Mine is just as smooth as my Junkyard Dog, and that is saying a lot.

The JYD2 is a very smooth knife, I am impressed with its abilities for such a affordable flipper. I can flip my brothers(was mine) open with some wrist play or just some slight pressure on the flipper

Mark Henninger · Dec 4, 2012

The A/O on my ZT 0350 just quit one day. Like others, I kind of like it better without it (the A/O). I didn't try to remove the torsion bar. There's no rattling. It opens extremely smoothly (now manually).

xICEMANx · Dec 4, 2012

Has anyone removed the speedsafe from their Knockout? Since it has a flipper I would think it would work good. I found the Blur alot niced WITH the AO than without, probably because it only has thumbstuds. Though the Blur thumbstuds are the best out there IMO.

2ac · Dec 4, 2012

My 0350 came out of the box rubbing, and none of the tricks helped center it. And from what I've read, it's not an uncommon issue with the 350's. The idea of sending it away for two months, to possibly get it back still of center, just isn't appealing to me. I've just taken to live with it as is, the AO helps.

Ta2warrior · Dec 4, 2012

My cheapie brawler (the one that comes with in the limited gift pack) has an extremely powerful AO.. if you don't hold it well, it can jump out of your hand. My other Kershaws aren't as jumpy.
I really love my non-AO folders, especially the 0561. I didn't have to 'break-in' anything; it was out-of-the-box perfect.

gooeytek · Dec 4, 2012

I de-assisted my 0400 a while back and put it back together with identical-sized washers for either side. The non-locking side doesn't need to have a smaller washer anymore, and I believe it might help a lot with smoothness and centering if you are having that problem.

RetiredGuns · Dec 4, 2012

They sell both for a reason. I traded or sold my early AO Kershaws and just recently picked up an orange Skyline. I just prefer the manual opening and easy close.

AdioSS · Dec 5, 2012

I used the carbide etching bit on my Dremel to smooth the entry of the detent ball out of the blade. I also trimmed away some of the slot of the liner & g10 spacer to take a little pressure off the torsion bar when fully compressed.

sticktodrum · Dec 5, 2012

xICEMANx said:
Has anyone removed the speedsafe from their Knockout? Since it has a flipper I would think it would work good. I found the Blur alot niced WITH the AO than without, probably because it only has thumbstuds. Though the Blur thumbstuds are the best out there IMO.

The Knockout doesn't have a hole in the tang for the detent ball, it requires the torsion bar for retention. You'd have to drill the tang for it if you wanted to run it as a manual knife. I also agree that the Blur thumb studs are pretty much perfect.