Flipper, Speedlock ?

C

Chris W

Joined
Oct 25, 1998
Messages
62
I have seen a number of custom knives advertised with a "flipper". Unfortunately, I have not had the opportunity to hold one of these knives. Also, I have not seen anything describing what the flipper is exactly (except for the obvious blade extension) and how it works. Is the flipper the same thing as Ken Onion's speedsafe mechanism? If not, what's the diffence?

Thanks,

Chris
 
Chris, as you stated, the "flipper" is the blade extension which allows you to flip the blade open with your finger as seen on the Kershaw Chive and the CRKT M18. The "Flipper" also acts as a finger guard when open.

chivew.jpg


crm1812bj.jpg


The "SpeedSafe" mechanism is the assisted opening feature on Ken Onion's designs made by Kershaw. It's not the "flipper" extension on the blade. It's the torsion bar that allows the blade to propel itself open once you start the blade with you thumb or finger. Kershaw has the Avalanche, BlackOut and Whirlwind models with the "SpeedSafe" mechanism and these do not have the "flipper" extension on the blade.
 
Some knives with flippers also have the "speed safe" mechanism (Boa, Chive, Scallion) and some do not (Camillus CUDA Maxx, CRKT M16). The flipper can be used to start the blade moving on all of them, but those without "speed safe" will also require a sharp wrist flick to get them to fully open.

--Bob Q
 
Originally posted by bquinlan
but those without "speed safe" will also require a sharp wrist flick to get them to fully open.
Click to expand...
I found that my M16s came slick enough that a very light wrist flick would be enough to make the blade fully open. sometimes, if you just flip it hard enough, the wrist flicking is hardly necessary.
 
Both my Madd Maxx by Camillus and my CRKT M-16 were smooth enough out of the box to open and lock full with just a quick flick of the flipper. No wrist action needed. I prefer to keep the heavy snapping open down to a minimum, for knife longevity sake.
 
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