could flicking open your knife hurt it in the long run

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paulwesley

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Sep 5, 2005
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i might have asked this question before but i've started opening all my knives slowly now, either hole, stud or whatever, just because i feel flicking all the time might be bad on some knives in the long run. Dont get me wrong...I love to flick...I could flick all day but i've had to adopt some different ways of treating my knives after being on the forums for a while and learning some things. Has anyone else done this or am I the lone ranger..thx yall/paul:cool:
 
Ive kinda wondered that also . Once I get past the newness of the knife I try to use them as I really need them .
 
I am no expert, but I think the consensus is this:

Flicking the knife open puts more stress on it than opening it slowly. So, technically, yes it will wear it faster. It's just physics. But in general, only low end knives will actually meet their demise due to flicking, while well-built knives will shrug it off. If you want to be cautious, then it is a good idea to not flick your knives open unless trying to seat the lock to the tang. Or at least do not do it excessively. Flicking in moderation will almost never cause any real harm to a knife. However, flicking in excess can at least increase the risk of the knife failing.

Will slamming a car door hurt the car? Not really. But it does cause more stress than closing it normally. After 10 years of slamming, you can bet that the door will feel more worn than it would had it not been abused.
 
Flicking hurts knives. Some knives are better designed to withstand flicking than others, but all materials are subject to fatigue.
 
yea I still flick some like when i'm in my pj's playing house ninja, but, for the most part I have stopped.....thx/paul
 
The only knife I flick is my darrel ralph but that has robo open and its meant to be flicked. Some knives just arent made for it. Most say you shouldnt
so I wouldnt
 
It will put a lot of extra wear and tear on many knives. Particularly those that are not made with the strongest materials. Many knives are meant to be flicked open and will withstand the extra forces for a very, very long time. It all depends on the knife and on how hard you flick it open.
 
I've been told to stop flicking by a couple of people from time to time and I do realize it puts additional stress on the structure, but there are two reasons I continue. The first is that I make my own folders so I can put a hardened pin in and it will last a really long time. The second is that I make my own folders. So I'll just make myself a new one. :-) If I had a "nice" one, I'd use moderation, of course, as others have said here.
 
I have yet to read that ANYONE has seen ANY decrease in performance or significant wear on their knives due to flicking. I think it's all hypothetical BS.
Please feel free to prove me wrong. There's a lot of wolf-crying around here, but not nearly enough testing.
 
If I had a $2000 custom, I doubt I would flick it much. With $100 dollar BM or Spyderco, I will flick the thing until it falls apart (which will still probably be never) and then go buy a new one.
 
Walking Man said:
I have yet to read that ANYONE has seen ANY decrease in performance or significant wear on their knives due to flicking. I think it's all hypothetical BS.
Please feel free to prove me wrong. There's a lot of wolf-crying around here, but not nearly enough testing.
Click to expand...

The only time I have ever heard of flicking a knife actaully causeing any damage to a knife was a Kershaw that my friend had. He flicked it open and the blade actually broke in half and flew across the room. It was an obvious flaw in the steel though, and no fault of Kershaw's, who incidentally, replaced the entire knife when he sent it in.
 
All I know is I been flicking my ficks for a long long time, never had a problem.
Drives my wife nuts ( maybe thats why I do it )
Gotta try that new D'allara PE wow does it flick nice.. Sooooo Easy
You can just turn your wrist and its out in a flash.
Good knife hunting
Jack
 
Hair said:
Will slamming a car door hurt the car? Not really. But it does cause more stress than closing it normally. After 10 years of slamming, you can bet that the door will feel more worn than it would had it not been abused.
Click to expand...

Excellent comparison! You don't need a degree in mechanical enginering to realize the stress this places on the entire pivot area. Flick with caution.;)
 
Jack, you are correct. The new D'allara PE drop point is really smooth and flick open almost without any effert at all.

Ron
 
This thread got me wondering so I took a quick look at the knives I've got laying around. The two assisted openers I've got, Kershaw Blur and BM Apparition, actually have smaller blade stop bars than my Ares, Stryker, and D2 Grip. The stop bars on the A/Os is about the same as the one on my Buck Cutback and SOG Night Vision, leaving me thinking that you would have to either flick your knives really hard or very, very often to cause any premature wear. I personally have flicked open my Stryker for about 8 years, used it hard and put it away wet and have yet to see any wear and tear on the blade, stop, or lock.
 
It seems to me the assisted opening knives open with about as much force as flicking open a regular knife, is anyone seeing wear on their asisted openers? Or switchblades?
 
Hair said:
Will slamming a car door hurt the car? Not really. But it does cause more stress than closing it normally. After 10 years of slamming, you can bet that the door will feel more worn than it would had it not been abused.
Click to expand...


Ya but slamming a car door isn't fun. Besides I've been flicking with reckless abandon, and no regard for common sense a "BM Crawford Cub" for 12+ years and it still locks up tight and the action is smoother than glass.

AZ...
 
Hair said:
Will slamming a car door hurt the car? Not really. But it does cause more stress than closing it normally. After 10 years of slamming, you can bet that the door will feel more worn than it would had it not been abused.
Click to expand...

Actually, slamming the car door can over time cause quite a few problems. It can break the water seal, loosen the mechanics of the window and cause the door to develop a rattle.

It doesn't take a genius to be able to figure out that the blade slamming hard against the stop pin will cause more wear than normal opening will. How long this will take depends on how well engineered the knife is. There are many knives that wouldn't stand up to being flicked for very long at all. Not all of these knives are inexpensive.
 
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