Could someone please describe the Zing's flipper to me

PSU

PSU

Joined
Jun 14, 2005
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Photos of the Zing have piqued my interest. However, I was wondering if I someone could explain the flipper. Is there a spring involved? Does it open smoothly?

My only experience with Kershaw is with the Leek. It's not a bad knife but I wasn't found of its assisted opening. It worked well but I couldn't get past the action of the knife during normal openings/closings with a thumb. Does the flipper on the Zing function differently than the assisted opening on the Leek?

Thanks!
 
You can make the blade fly by putting pressure on the tip of the tang in towards the handle without turning the blade. Then, with all the pressure built up, roll the finger down and in the handle and watch with amazement the speed of the blade open.

Or you can just push down on the flipper and roll your wrist
 
No spring in this knife. Its a manual flipper. Opens smoothly and quickly (just as quick as the Leek) with very little practice.
 
It will also close as fast if you "hang" on the detent and have it fly closed. No wrist action requried, faster than some leeks that my buddies have. People think that it is assisted/auto it is so fast.
 
I dunno...my Zing (orange)...must need a little lube, cause I can't get it to flip open nice and clean like I can my JYDII...
 
Thanks for the replies guys. I didn't realize that it was a manual flipper. I'll have to pick one up once they are back in stock at my favorite retailer. Plus I just realzied that they are made in the USA, that's a plus for me.

One more question, do you have to keep the pivot somewhat loose in order to facilitate an opening via the flipper? Or does it still work when it is tightened down a bit?
 
PSU said:
One more question, do you have to keep the pivot somewhat loose in order to facilitate an opening via the flipper? Or does it still work when it is tightened down a bit?
Click to expand...

I don't have a Zing yet, but if it's like the other flippers, just tighten
it enough to still have a smooth action and it should flip just fine.
 
PSU said:
Thanks for the replies guys. I didn't realize that it was a manual flipper. I'll have to pick one up once they are back in stock at my favorite retailer. Plus I just realzied that they are made in the USA, that's a plus for me.

One more question, do you have to keep the pivot somewhat loose in order to facilitate an opening via the flipper? Or does it still work when it is tightened down a bit?
Click to expand...

It is not a "loose" blade per se.

It has an incredibly tight detent that keeps the blade tight "under pressure," but it flips open like nuts once you overcome the detent. Somebody should post a video on youtube of the action, it is just so cool.
 
You aren't sounding dumb, I had the same questions about lube before too :)

I've heard that tuff glide/3 in 1 works, and that you don't want petroleum distillates... ahh too much to remember.

What I do, and it has worked beyond belief for me is use olive oil--it's food safe, and it just plain works, and you have it ready too.

Just make sure to take apart and clean your knife every month or so--you don't want the oil going rancid.

All of my speedsafe and flipper knives work better with olive oil in the pivot. :thumbup:
 
Wavester said:
Hate to sound dumb - but with exactly what lube/oil? Don't want to use something that is going to make it worse.
Click to expand...

I use Tuff Glide and have had good results.

Also, regarding the action on your Zing - if you were to grasp the blade and just pull it open like a slipjoint, does it move smoothly all the way along or does it feel like there's any kind of grit or impediment? If it's the latter, then perhaps what the knife needs before any lubrication is to be taken apart and have the pivot area cleaned out. Should that, along with lubrication, not produce the desired opening maybe it should be sent back to Kershaw for a check-up.
 
I hate Tuf Glide. It stinks real bad and the smell doesn't go away unless you thoroughly wash it with warm soapy water. I like the blue Benchmade lube or even just WD40 is fine.
 
I would like to mention that instead of "pulling down" on the flipper your motion
should be "try to push the flipper into the handle"

mike
 
militec-1 get it from their website (use google)

i bought the combination lithium grease and militec lubricant. it works just as well on pivots as torsion bar chambers.

trick is be liberal, then use a heat gun or hair dryer to heat the whole thing up (once the knife is back together). then flip it a bunch and you should notice a major improvement. :)
 
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