Chuck Gedraitis Custom Flippers

ViperPilot

ViperPilot

Joined
Jun 3, 2016
Messages
279
If you are a flipper fan, but not so into bearing systems and prefer the ease of maintenance and reliability of washers, then I can totally recommend Flipper knives built by Chuck Gedraitis. I bought one of his Custom Bowie flippers right from his bench and I can honestly say it flips like that girl on the Olympic gymnastics team! Clean and snappy, haven't had a false start yet! I have plenty of custom flippers....is it an RJ Martin or Shirogorov (both on roller bearings)?....NO,
but without naming names it flips better than more than a few of the others!! Hard to believe it's not on a bearing system.

Anyway just wanted to share.....for those anti-bearings folks you can have confidence in his work!
 
Thanks for the review. I have been wondering about his washer system and how well it flips. Would you say it is comparable to a Shirogorov Hati on washers?
 
I just sharpened a Gedraitis. It's not a flipper, but I'd believe what you're saying. The action on this knife is VERY smooth, adding a flipper tab would have it flying out I'm sure.

20160816_142051_zpssod5s8go.jpg


Please forgive the blood (?) on the blade. Came to me that way and I forgot to clean it off before snapping a quick photo.
 
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I am huge fan of Chuck's knives. Have owned several, sold a few, kept some more. I can't stand bearing systems, and they're totally unnecessary when you can have a knife like Chuck's on washers.

His knives are the best out there for the price, full stop. On top of being smooth as glass and perfectly finished every single time, the guy actually understands knives. His designs are what knives should be--great ergos, good in the pocket, and they CUT. It is so refreshing that guys like Chuck are out there making real actual old-school custom knives instead of the piece of junk folding pry bar titanium framelocks that are the big trend right now. He does it all right and he does it all himself--none of this sending the blades out to waterjet, outsourcing the heat treat, etc. that so many "custom" knife makers (aka IKEA knife assemblers) are doing.

And to top it off, the guy is a total class act. He actually responds to emails and delivers on time. Have I mentioned that Chuck is the best in the business? If you haven't picked up one of his knives go do it right away. And no, I am not related or a personal friend, just an extremely satisfied customer!!
 
T.L.E. Sharp said:
Please forgive the blood (?) on the blade. Came to me that way and I forgot to clean it off before snapping a quick photo.
Click to expand...

Knife guy rule 101: never ship a fellow knife brother a blade with blood on it, it's just fuggin' nasty:barf:

If I were you, I would have sent it straight back and not even handled it. That's just rude and tasteless!
 
Blues Bender said:
Knife guy rule 101: never ship a fellow knife brother a blade with blood on it, it's just fuggin' nasty:barf:

If I were you, I would have sent it straight back and not even handled it. That's just rude and tasteless!
Click to expand...

May not have been blood, I didn't lick it to find out. I ain't mad about it.
 
I'm new to BF, but no stranger to Chucks work. I recently got back from G8 where I got to chat with him in person. He is a great guy that makes fantastic knives at unbeatable prices. I now own 5 of his pieces. He and I specifically spoke about washers vs bearings-- and i highlighted the fact that I'm fucking sick of opening up $2000 custom knives (that are fairly new), only to find the bearings have already begun to eat into the frame. These bearing are often harder than the Ti frame-- and will dig into the metal creating tracks. As these tracks worsen-- smoothness decreases and opportunity for grit to enter increases. There are ways to avoid this. Hardened inserts or special washers can be inserted into the frame-- so that there surface makes contact with the bearings. You don't have to worry about this issue with washer based systems-- and in my experince, a talented maker can produce a knife with an action every bit as good as a knife with a bearing based system. Chuck is the perfect example of washers done right! If an opportunity arises-- please check out this guys work. You won't regret it.
 
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