First knifemaker/manufacture to use flipper/finger guard?

S

s.c.

Joined
Mar 2, 2003
Messages
1,063
Just curious if anyone knows who's came up with the idea of a flipper that turns into a finger guard when the knife is opened. Its such an elegant and functional design, and I would like to learn more about its inventor.

Thanks.
 
The first I ever heard of it was Kit Carson with his 'toggle lock' folders. Maybe Kit will respond as to whether he invented the idea, or got it from some other source.

In any case, I agree that it was a great innovation.
 
The flipper is one of a handful of great things to happen to folding knives. I live in Oregon and can legally carry autos; I prefer flippers because they're virtually just as convenient, simpler, and cheaper in case I lose one.

The only beef I have is with the ones that have sharp edges or serrations, because they eat pants.
 
rhodeskeys said:
The flipper is one of a handful of great things to happen to folding knives. I live in Oregon and can legally carry autos; I prefer flippers because they're virtually just as convenient, simpler, and cheaper in case I lose one.

The only beef I have is with the ones that have sharp edges or serrations, because they eat pants.
Click to expand...

should be able to file down the jimping on the flipper enough that it won't catch fabric but will still provide enough grip to open the knife. I love my flippers just because they're so much fun to open.
 
Since no one answered the question, I went looking myself and found a thread from 2001 posted by 'Shootist16' entitled 'Who invented the flipper?' The thread features posters Kit Carson, Tom Mayo, Darrel Ralph, Ken Onion, and Tom Mayo, and Les Robertson discussing this topic. Giants among us.

The consensus was that Kit Carson got the idea from a knifemaker named Randall Gilbreath, who got it from Mel Pardue (I think his son Joe Pardue is now a maker who also does mid-techs). Both Robertson and Darrel Ralph point out that the idea has been around for over 100 years. Ralph says that flippers were common on 'dock knives' of the late 19th century.

The thread is: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-168922.html If you go to this link, click on ''Who invented the flipper" to get the full version for best reading experience.
 
wutitiz, thanks for the link. That thread could've been epic with all those names in there...surprised it only lasted one page. Also didn't know the Ken Onion posts here, though it doesn't seem too regular. It was his designs that made me wonder about flippers in the first place.
 
Rhodeskeys--sorry the link doesn't work for you. It works from my end when I test it. But you can try this link.http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/archive/index.php/f-777-p-13.html This will bring up a list of archived threads. Scroll down to no. 3181 (Who invented the flipper). This will bring up the thread, and again you should click on 'Who invented the flipper' to view the full version.

SC, you're welcome for link--it was great to see all those guys posting. Kind of like going to the local gym and finding Bird, Magic, and Jordan playing 21. Also I note Keith Montgomery is in there, whose name I recognized as the guy who recommended STR when I posted about the need for more 'pimp-my-knifers' (I haven't been reading this forum very long).
 
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