Flipper dilemma

Gress

Gress

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Feb 8, 2009
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I know this has been beaten up to death, but ever since I started looking into Hinderer’s line of products I’ve been thinking about flipper vs non-flipper model choices. I’ve read all internet discussions and looked at every picture I could find and…still could not figure out clearly which one I like better for a given size. So I decided to collect two in every size and then decide for myself.

I know this could be somewhat controversial subject so all I will say will stay as my personal opinion and obviously there are many others around here who have different opinions on the subject.
We all are correct in certain ways and this is exactly why I think Rick produces these knives with two choices. Great idea!
So here goes.

Here is my family from 3” to xm24. As you can see I have two knives of each size, except xm24 which as of today to my knowledge only comes as a flipper.

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The biggest advantage I see in the flipper is the extra protection it gives you while you are working with the knife doing some hard cutting etc. I do not necessarily think of a flipper as a mean to open the blade as IMO these knives are so smooth that you do not need a flipper for this purpose really.
One drawback of the flipper to me is that it sticks out of the handle and adds an extra bulk to a knife when closed and in the pocket. You may disregard this little inconvenience if you carry it in a belt sheath or a pouch which accommodates the flipper.

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Now to specific sizes. Here are my 3” xm18s

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The 3” is my EDC and I really appreciate the small size and concealability of the knife.
I carry a non-flipper as for the size it is one heck of a blade and at the same time I do not feel I need the flipper for it. It is perfect without the flipper and great in the hand.

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The flipper on the other hand is as good as a non-flipper with every respect. It provides this little extra protection for your fingers if you need one. At the same time it is considerably bigger in the pocket and as the handle is still a small one the flipper somewhat limits the grip options and makes me feel that the handle is smaller than on my 3” non-flipper. Still great and comfy in many situations.

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When we come to 3.5” xm18 it is all different again. Here is my pair of knives

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Forget for a while that one is a slicer and the other is a spanto as what I am talking about is really how it handles and not how it cuts.. Look at the flipper vs non-flipper again

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In this size the handle is perfect for me and I really do not feel the difference with a flipper vs non-flipper when I handle the knife

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For this size I think the flipper makes more sense as it is a bigger knife and it is bigger in the pocket anyway and the slight inconvenience of the flipper sticking out is well offset by extra protection the flipper gives to my fingers and that it provides extra grip on the blade directly when you doing hard work.
 
For xm-24 the reasons for the flipper design stated above become even more pronounced as this is the knife designed to replace a fixed blade. I think this is why it only comes as a flipper at the moment, although I’ve heard that Rick has promised to make a non-flipper version of xm24 in the nearest future as well. The big handle IMO is perfect and is asking for this extra piece of the metal up-front next to the edge to serve you as a hand stop as you working with the knife.

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Perhaps I will have to buy a non-flipper sometime in the future to check if my current choice holds.

Anyway, here is the family together again. Enjoy and thanks for reading.

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Man that is an awesome set of blades. I so want a XM-24. That beast looks BEAUTIFUL!!!!
 
The XM-24 has been made in a non-flipper.

The flipper is absolutely a means of opening the knife. You're right about Ricks knives opening super fast with out them but it's just another method of opening that's available.
I've heard a story of a XM18 owner saving a finger or two because of the flipper when doing some HARD cutting (VERY rare. I've only heard of that happening that one time. Some people using these knives EXTREMELY hard.) It's impossible for this knife to close on your fingers with the flipper in place. That extra piece of mind is worth having a little less room in their pockets. If some one doesn't use these knives that hard I can see why they would feel that they don't need a flipper.

This topic has been discussed so much and it always turns out the same way. To each his own. If it feels good in your hand. If it opens the way you want it to. If it never fails. You should be happy. It's all personal preference. Cool thread and great pics.
 
Rick,
Thanks for the xm24 info. I have not heard of Rick doing it already so its good to know.

I agree with you on the flipper being a means of opening the knife. I just said that I do not see it as a most useful feature of the flipper myself. I rather see it as a safety feature and functional lever especially for hard use and xm24.
3" xm is not needing this, but the bigger knives do. All is my opinion. I just struggled with this dilemma till I got one each and now I clearly made my mind. Was hoping to help if some one else out there has same questions.
As you said it is personal preference. Both designs are great.:thumbup: And I would not hesitate to get any knife in any of the form :) ;)
 
I think your evaluation was very well thought out. You definitely took the expensive road to get to your conclusion and I like your approach. I have a 3" flipper and have a 3 1/2" flipper on the way. I don't use the flipper to open the knife but I really appreciate having it there to protect my fingers, and I think it looks cool. My 2 cents...
 
Thanks. If you like your 3" flipper you will LOVE your 3-1/2 one! :)
 
Great write up Gress. Thanks for taking the time to do it.

There are a few XM24's floating around that are non-flipper. Off the top of my head Pete has one and David has like 20. lol.

You've seen the first XM24's right? With the full Ti scale and lockside? Petes is anodized blue.
 
Yeah..this first one was very nice. Petes a lucky guy. I am not even talking Dave :D
 
Gress,

What did you do for the finish on the 3" orange knife, last picture, 2nd knife down? I really like it and it dresses the knife up!
 
law1173 said:
Gress,

What did you do for the finish on the 3" orange knife, last picture, 2nd knife down? I really like it and it dresses the knife up!
Click to expand...

That's a bead blasted Ti lockside. Its one of the finishes Rick offers on his XM's.
 
Rick,

Do I recall correctly reading one of your posts talking about a hand rubbed lockside, or can I send mine in for beadblast?
 
law1173 said:
Rick,

Do I recall correctly reading one of your posts talking about a hand rubbed lockside, or can I send mine in for beadblast?
Click to expand...

Yes. Rick has done hand rubbed locksides. They're very rare and very hard to come by. Most who have them will prob never let them go. I know I wont. :D
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As far as getting your lockside beadblasted. Rick will not change the original finish of the knife after it has left his shop.
From Rob's sticky - "We will not change the original finish, so for example we won't tumble a knife that was originally blasted"

Atony - You talking to Gress or me? :)
 
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