CRK Flipper?

I'm kinda confused as to how an opening method makes or breaks the usefulness of a knife. That's a new one to me. Ray Laconico's Jasmine has the strongest lockup of any I've owned. Nice D2 tool steel that takes a great edge. Handle an El Patron flipper or non flipper and I dare you to tell me that's not up for real work.

Once it's open its open. Most are Framelocks in the end.
 
Last edited:
It's just based on sheer ignorance. They don't know what they don't know... but that doesn't stop them from posting it.
 
It's a feature that appeals to personal preferences, IMO. I personally find the majority of flippers on the market unsightly. I find Brad Southard makes attractive flippers, but still don't like them, overall.
 
Come off it. If anyone said that about CRK you all would be up in arms

Save the sympathy, you have nothing to be sorry for



Except, say, the XM-18... built for first responders. Do you know anything about Hinderers history?

I know Hinderer history and their sales pitch. The flipper was added for the public and was not in the prototype. No first responder (IMHO) is going to flip open their knife in a critical situation. Especially with Hinderers that flip poorly at best. Anyways. I stand by my opinion that flippers are super cool, well built, and totally unnecessary. I own one myself.

A fad at best that I'm glad Chris Reeve has avoided. But if he were to make one, I'm sure it would flip reliably.
 
Last edited:
To the OP, I think this thread has gotten off topic.

An alternative would be something from Gareth Bull. He makes a nice front flipper that has simple lines like the Sebenza.

He's a super nice guy to boot.
 
To the OP, I think this thread has gotten off topic.

Yah, it sort of spiraled out into a general 'hate on flippers' thread.

From the early comments though it sounds like Chris Reeve doesn't like flippers and is unlikely to ever make one, so that answers my question.
 
I agree that they do not all have to be ugly, but I think more than a few people view the idea of a flipper of any sort, in a similar light to an Emerson Wave, or a saw-tooth spine, or super thick blade stock, or recurves, or even gut-hooks. These are fine for a lot of people and some makers can execute them very nicely....I just have ZERO interest in seeing them or having one in my pocket.

I think most people see a flipper as a method of opening a knife that when open does exactly the same thing as any other knife.

I believe you are confusing "more than a few people" with "people from this subforum." The disdain for flippers doesn't seem to be forum wide.
 
I'm kinda confused as to how an opening method makes or breaks the usefulness of a knife. That's a new one to me. Ray Laconico's Jasmine has the strongest lockup of any I've owned. Nice D2 tool steel that takes a great edge. Handle an El Patron flipper or non flipper and I dare you to tell me that's not up for real work.

Once it's open its open. Most are Framelocks in the end.

Confused as well, makes absolutely no sense. I handled one of Ray's knives a while back, very solid.

To the OP, I think this thread has gotten off topic.

An alternative would be something from Gareth Bull. He makes a nice front flipper that has simple lines like the Sebenza.

That is what I'm saying, a flipper doesn't have to be ugly. It can actually seamlessly flow into the knife so most wouldn't even know it's there.
 
Confused as well, makes absolutely no sense. I handled one of Ray's knives a while back, very solid.



That is what I'm saying, a flipper doesn't have to be ugly. It can actually seamlessly flow into the knife so most wouldn't even know it's there.

While I'm not interested in flippers, much of it has to do with the look of most out there. Most just look like an afterthought, IMO.
 
As my taste and experience with knives has evolved, so has my deployment preferences.

I used to favor flippers and flicking my knives. I have since come to appreciate and prefer the controlled opening. I feel it puts me in greater command of the action and better in tune with the knife, making the experience more personal.

CRK for me, epitomizes that sentiment. I am very very new to CRK knives but I feel they embody the evolutionary peak of my knife maturity.

I have a few xm-18's and I like them very much, I just wish they were not flippers. Flippers are fine, and I have no issue with the knives or their users. They are just not for me anymore. I feel deployment speed is a moot point. Nothing after all deploys faster than a fixed blade.

If CRK introduced a flipper I would have no problem with it. But I would just stalk the exchange for people selling their 21's and 25's so they could buy the flipper, and get those myself.
 
I don't mind flippers, but I do prefer using a conventional knife as I don't see the need to flip :)
 
In my opinion flippers are great. I enjoy a good quality flipper and see plenty of usefulness for them. With that said, CRK making a flipper would just about floor me. CRKs are more of a high functioning useful work of art. A true artist is not going to change a perfect work of art just to go with the current fads. Regardless, if CRK makes a flipper I am sure it will be made to the perfection and artistry of all other Chris Reeve Knives and I would be shocked if it was not very well accepted by the knife community. Don't hold your breath though!
 
In the past two years.
This is the first heated thread that I have seen in this forum. Its about time.
 
My first post summed up my feelings on flippers. They just are not for me, just like the wave is not for me. It just turns a knife into a toy IMO. I had a few to try and they were fun but not for me.

Although there are so many designs I love, but come with flipper only. That is my main gripe they dont even put thumb studs on most of these things any more. They are just as tough as any other knife if from a quality maker. They even deploy faster if tip up. When it come down to it, I am a knife nerd. But it is knife geeks that go for these things in bulk. Like my friend Nick from when I was in construction. He only carried flippers, autos, balis and assisted opening blades. Oh and dont forget those horrible serrations that he loved , uggggh. Total geek. :p Im just playing here.

And while I agree with most everything you say 100%. There is one sad truth. They are not a fad. They have been around for a decade and alot of the new generation knife guys are into flippers.

The only way CRK with ever make a flipper is perhaps with a new owner in a few decades. That would make me about 50. I will check back into this thread then.

A fad at best

Again, not a fad. They are here to stay. It is a functional design concept every bit as permanent as the thumb stud, wave or spyderhole. You should know this, you sell knives for a living and I would like to hear your thoughts on why you think flippers might go awayl. You know about the overwhelming abundance of flippers on the market.
What percentage of your knives in stock are flipper? I really am curious if you have the time to put a moment into it.

A true artist is not going to change a perfect work of art just to go with the current fads.
 
Last edited:
Yet you make scales for ZT knives, a majority of which are flippers...

Nice edit
 
When I started my post I was actually thinking of yours and how you were making a valid point that flippers are nice.
But now I see you just have a bad attitude.

The edit was for a smiley face and fixing my spelling. Thank you very much. Do not micro manage my posting habits.
If you read my post I was making a positive point that flippers are here to stay. Exactly why I am making scales for 50% flipper knives. My most popular is the 0550 , not a flipper. Those are the only ones I make a bunch of. Again not flipper. Next the skyline which I cannot stand but is very popular.
So yes, I make them for ZT, Benchmade, Spyderco, CRKT, Hinderer, CRK, Emerson and many others. I dont have to personally own or enjoy carrying those knives. I also do custom gun grips. Do I own or carry a gun, no.

But making scales or customizing a knife is an art in itself. I work for you guys to help you enjoy your toys. That is why I have so many friends and contacts here for life.
If somebody wants me to do something for them. I will say ok. What do you have in mind.
So you have no point whatsoever.
I have many sketches and prototypes of folders that I plan to make. Are they flippers no. Because it is my design.







Yet you make scales for ZT knives, a majority of which are flippers...

Nice edit
 
Last edited:
Just seems hypocritical to call them geeky when your customers buy that style of knife. I'm a pretty nice guy, attitude doesn't come across in text
 
Way to make this about me instead of flippers.

Many of my customers are Geeky. There are a ton of Tech and Gear geeks around here. I am nerdy as I said. Geeks and nerds get along well.
Nick my poster child friend for flippers, super geeky. Myself more nerdy as I know more about knives while he was a tech type geek.
I meant exactly what I said, and believe me everyone will be just fine.
Oh, I also work for mall ninjas.

Now stop talking to me because it is bed time.

Just seems hypocritical to call them geeky when your customers buy that style of knife. I'm a pretty nice guy, attitude doesn't come across in text
 
Last edited:
Back
Top