The subject of flipper action is always interesting to me. I’ve had the good fortune of living near the original storefronts for KSF and OCKT, as well as a few reasonably stocked sporting goods stores. I also own a few flippers, of course.
When it comes to flipping, I mostly drop them into four categories:
Failure to fire - usually bad samples, like some of the 0560/0561 when they had detent inconsistencies
Mushy - most Hinderers I’ve handled, and the two 0393s I’ve handled
Good - most flippers I’ve handled fall in here. A solid click on firing.
“WEEELLL, HEEELLLLOOOOOO” - usually a heavy blade with smooth pivot and reasonable to stiff detent. A solid crack on firing.
Within the best category, it’s tough to differentiate because the flip is so fast. There isn’t time to process the feeling of what’s happening between passing the detent and lock up. Mostly, the drama of a heavy blade cracking open creates a certain feeling, while the feeling of a less heavy (or specifically, tip-heavy) blade creates a different feel.
Notable flippers for me:
0562 - bearings, heavy-ish blade, not overly tip-heavy. Solid crack, without a dramatic shift in hand on lock up.
0801 - same as the 0562, with what feels like even less tip heavy feel, so it gives a satisfying crack with even less tip swing at lock up. [re: tip swing - if you were to watch frame by frame or slow motion video of flipping, you’ll see the knife lock up and then the whole knife follows the tip briefly as the knife rotates in hand]
0609 - light blade, smooth pivot, perfect detent. Very satisfying and positive click on lock up, virtually zero tip swing.
0450 - similar to the 0609, even lighter blade. Feels like ... instantaneous, peaceful click, with no shift in hand.
In contrast, my Microtech DOC has a far less smooth pivot, still has strong detent, and has the blade balance of a battle axe. It clacks open at OK speed, and reeeeaaalllyyyy wants to follow the tip around after lock up. Fires open consistently, but is a great example of a flipper that works, without inspiring that sense of “oooooooooo! I want to do that again RIGHT NOW.”
