Controversial Opinion

[Ben Dover]

My EDC is an axis lock BM 710 D-2. I removed the thumb studs, and open it ONLY by flipping.

If I thought that this would damage it, I would sell it and get a better knife.

 

[upnorth]

I like to carry a fixed blade.


As said by brother Cougar,

"though shalt not fold thy knife"

I'm starting to lean in that direction a little myself. Trick is to find the right combo of aesthetics/practicality/length discretion/low visibility. Closest I've come so far is a large Ka-Bar TDI. Snugs right up to the hip and the sheath doesn't hang down to catch eyes.

Back to the OP. I believe in a few spine whacks to initially test a back/spine lock folder. But I am not hard on my folders. After the novelty of snapping open my JYD2 for a few weeks, I gave it away. Yes I also wondered what long term "flicking" of the blade would do to the blade stop. I'm not hard on my folders, no brutal materials cutting or side torquing. I view a folder as a moderate level use cutting tool. If I want to go Neanderthal, I use a heavy FB. But as I said, I'm not really comfortable with the reliability of a blade that gets hammered open until possible failure. I felt that I was putting a lot more inertia/mass energy into the blade stop lug of that Dog, than was being put into a same brand Assisted opener. Although I don't have any of these knives anymore as I'm dumping liner locks altogether now...I don't know it all. I'm learning, handling different knives, and my views change over time.

 

[CUTS LIKE A KRIS]

Adults use their knives in a discreet and unthreatening manner, close them, and put them away - children whip them out with a flashy noise-making display of undisciplined and sometimes careless acrobatics to gain the attention they must desperately need to satisfy a void in their self esteem.

Thank you for your honest assessment of me and all that flip a knife sir!! Can you tell me what flashy noise is?

I do flip- not every time I open a knife and only in a safe manner as to not endanger any around me. My primary use knife is a fixed blade necker, with my food knife being my folder. I must want the attention of that kiwi before I decapitate him.

Why must one assume that every flip must be done with a massive amount of force? Many of my folders can be flipped with the same amount of force as I use to thumb them open, or similar force to an assisted opener. Good quality knives are extremely smooth and the action on them facilitates flipping well. Benchmades with axis locks can be opened discreetly by flipping and are essentially sound free and require little wrist movement when the lock is pulled back.

Not all knives are designed to be flipped- true. I have never damaged any of my knives to any appreciable degree by flipping either. I would just rather see solutions than people with a defeatest attitude saying tough flippers can not be done.
And if it falls to me to solve this riddle before I go......... Then it probably will not happen

 

[Greg]

As is obvious there can be tremendously different forces involved in both flipping and spine whacking.
Anyone who expects to do either of these things frequently and with great force should buy knives made for that, and get them repaired or replace them when they fail.
For me, I prefer slim-bladed knives that cut easily and quickly and are easy to manipulate while doing the usual delicate tasks they are used for. I've had no problems with the occasional moderate flip or whack, I presume that's because I buy quality.
Greg

 

[hardheart]

how are people wearing out knives by flicking? I guess if you get OCD about it, it could happen. I have flicked open linerless, frn framed lockbacks hundreds of times with no failure. I don't even worry about axis locks. Liner/frame locks I know have problems, it usually takes one good flick to permanently change the point of lock engagement.

if you worry about your knife breaking, buy a better knife.

 

[SIFU1A]

What is the point of flipping open anyway? It imples violence, a need for speed, attention getting, auditory feedback, and ego satiation. All things young males without a outlet for their hormones tend to indulge in.

It's juvenile behavior with no real world justification, regardless of the macho "I'm training for self defense" excuses. Adults who use tools don't need to constantly bang them around for practice or feedback. Older mechanics don't spin their rachets like New Years party favors or rev the impact gun like a rock star; master carpenters aren't tapping their estwings on stuff or quick drawing their drill drivers; electricians don't grab their meters and plug in just to watch the needle move. Adults use their knives in a discreet and unthreatening manner, close them, and put them away - children whip them out with a flashy noise-making display of undisciplined and sometimes careless acrobatics to gain the attention they must desperately need to satisfy a void in their self esteem.

Of course, that's just a casual observation of a seasoned father of three boys and veteran, who worked basic training for eight years and retired as a MP squad leader. I could be wrong.

you are wrong lol.

 

[Ben Dover]

you are wrong lol.

Agreed! Dead wrong.

I'm over 60 years old, and I certainly do not need, or even want, attention. If I really wanted attention, I would draw the SIG 9MM that I carry.

I flick my knife open simply because that is the way an axis lock was designed to be opened. I removed the thumb studs because they serve no purpose.

And in respnse to the argument that you might frighten the more faint hearted, let me say that opening a knife of any size, by any method will frighten the faint hearted.

 

[jlfletcher83]

I usually flick my 710 and 615 because I have trouble hitting the studs. The axis lock seems as if it would handle it better than most. I do not sit around and flick the knives over and over again, only when I need to use them. I do not carry these knives everyday, and when I am carrying something else that I can easily access the hole or stud I open it as designed. I do feel though that makers should assume that knives will be flicked. As for spine whacks I do these when I get a new knife and when I think about it on the knives in my EDC rotation maybe 4 times a year.