Flipper opening knives...questions

[Geoff in Philly]

For the first time ever, I am intrigued by a knife that appears to be a flipper design...The RRF by Combate Elite...the Ralph /Wilson collab at www.combatelite.com.

So, the flipper protrudes from the top of the knife when closed? Does that make extracting it from a pocket a risky deal?

In either tip up or tip down mode, I can see it snagging on the pocket somehow, then partially opening.

I (for years) carry tip up, which could pose a hazard if the flipper snags as the knife is pulled up and out of my pocket...or even if it partially opens in the pocket.

In tip down mode the risk seems magnified as you have the snag issue combined with the flipper seeming more suseptible to getting pushed on if you bump into something or trip and fall (neither one of which happens often, you understand ).

I like the idea of the finger guard it creates, but wonder how it (the whole flipper thing) functions in the real world. Am I unecessarily concerned :footinmou ?

Any info would help...

 

[Planterz]

I don't know how this knife operates, but it appears it's similar to the Kershaw Speed-Safe design. Or the CRKT M16 if it's not spring assisted. If so, I'd say there's nothing to worry about. I've never had my Kershaw (tip down) open accidentally (you can literally whack the thing right on the flipper on a counter and it won't open--it needs to be pushed at an angle). Tip down wouldn't be an issue at all. I'm sure there's a ball-detent to keep things closed too.

Snagging however, might be an issue. But I wouldn't worry about it accidentally opening. If you're worried, but otherwise absolutely enamored by the knife, I'm sure you could file/cut the flipper down. It seems the company has a custom shop, maybe you could have it done at the factory.

 

[ZENGHOST]

For the first time ever, I am intrigued by a knife that appears to be a flipper design...The RRF by Combate Elite...the Ralph /Wilson collab at www.combatelite.com.

Nice knife.

So, the flipper protrudes from the top of the knife when closed? Does that make extracting it from a pocket a risky deal?

In either tip up or tip down mode, I can see it snagging on the pocket somehow, then partially opening.

I (for years) carry tip up, which could pose a hazard if the flipper snags as the knife is pulled up and out of my pocket...or even if it partially opens in the pocket.

In tip down mode the risk seems magnified as you have the snag issue combined with the flipper seeming more suseptible to getting pushed on if you bump into something or trip and fall (neither one of which happens often, you understand ).

I have had several flipper knives over the years and it really depends on the design of the flipper. Some flippers stick out a lot whereas others are pretty discreet. Some are also textured, which makes snagging on clothing a little more of a concern. I have never really had a problem with any of mine, though. I think it's more of a concern for those with assisted opening and not so much for a manual. In my experience the manual flippers are very unlikely to open in your pocket simply as the result of having a flipper, and some people actually like having a knife that opens when you retrieve it (Emerson Wave for example). For a tip up knife, the spine of the knife will likely be against the seam of the pocket (in front pocket carry) so there's not much reason to worry about it opening unintentionally.

I like the idea of the finger guard it creates, but wonder how it functions in the real world. Am I unecessarily concerned :footinmou ?

Any info would help...

I'm quite fond of flipper knives, but it really depends on the user and the knife. I do like the looks of this one, but it's hard to say without handling nor seeing a picture of it closed. I hope this helped you somewhat.

 

[DumboRAT]

I'm a recent convert to flipper folders. Yes, I'm kinda new to the hobby.

However, like ZENGHOST, I've yet to have a problem, and I've EDC'ed my flippers (Pirela/Elishewitz Helix, Lightfoot Vegas Classic '04 Full Contact Fighter, and moreso RJ Martin's Devastator) quite a bit. No problems with any of these, and no concerns even with my assisted Kershaw-Onion Boa, albeit I do engage the safety on that one.



Have a look around if flipper size/protrusion is your main concern......this can vary quite a bit based on design.

Allen
aka DumboRAT

 

[biogon]

I carried a CRKT M16 for several years before I got into the "knife thang".

The very question that you pose is one of the reasons I went looking for another knife.

Tip-down, flipper to the left, means that it hits the pocket seam in front-right and rear-left pockets where I carry, especially when you move around and it can get jostled.

IME, it's opened several times in the pocket, once sufficiently to stab me when I went to retrieve it -- not badly, but enough to cuss out loud when I shouldn't have.

Admittedly, the blade is still pointing down and thus logically should be pushed back into the handle when you reach for it. I still can't figure out how mine bit me.

-j

 

[Will P.]

I like the idea of the finger guard it creates, but wonder how it functions in the real world. Am I unecessarily concerned :footinmou ?

Hmm... well, aside from entirely unrealistic martial arts dueling (I don't mean to offend anyone, but if you have been in a one-on-one "knife fighting duel" - and this would be a bizarre occurence in and of itself - and parried with a knife, I will be astounded), the purpose of a guard is to keep your finger away from the blade. This is sometimes an issue with folders. The RRF seems to have fully adequate choil, but the flipper looks like it might give you a bit of extra security if you stabbed it into something hard by accident.

BTW biogon, I know a guy who swears by the CRKT M16, but he wears it clipped to webbing. He says it's not meant to be a pocket knife.

 

[biogon]

Yep.. I carry/use only folders with extra-deep choils (Emerson) or some kind of front guard, after having slipped forward on a number of flatter-choil knives. Not pleasant.

Will P,
Interesting... it's a very nifty, well-designed knife, and I loved it while I used it, but... that may not be a bad idea.

-j

 

[Geoff in Philly]

Will P....poor writing on my part...I didnt mean "how does the guard work in the real world"...but rather, the flipper idea.
Thanks for your replies guys

 

[Walking Man]

Hi Geoff.
I have a different take on this situation.
I think Spring assisted flipper are safer,
First of all, the spring helps keep the blade in place when closed.
Second, If it does spring open, you're going to know it right away.
You should be able to feel it in your pocket immediately, I think....

 

[Geoff in Philly]

that's one feeling I wouldn't want to feel!!

 

[felder]

Gee thanks. I went to that site and now have one of the TASs on order.

For the first time ever, I am intrigued by a knife that appears to be a flipper design...The RRF by Combate Elite...the Ralph /Wilson collab at www.combatelite.com.

So, the flipper protrudes from the top of the knife when closed? Does that make extracting it from a pocket a risky deal?

In either tip up or tip down mode, I can see it snagging on the pocket somehow, then partially opening.

I (for years) carry tip up, which could pose a hazard if the flipper snags as the knife is pulled up and out of my pocket...or even if it partially opens in the pocket.

In tip down mode the risk seems magnified as you have the snag issue combined with the flipper seeming more suseptible to getting pushed on if you bump into something or trip and fall (neither one of which happens often, you understand ).

I like the idea of the finger guard it creates, but wonder how it (the whole flipper thing) functions in the real world. Am I unecessarily concerned :footinmou ?

Any info would help...