Flipper vs. Non-Flipper

Flippidy Doo Da Flippidy A.....My oh My what a Wonderful way!
Who likes Hinderer Flippers?.....This guy!
Anyone on the fence about to flip or not to flip should consider getting a flipper first to see if it works for their personal needs and preferences.
Anyone not happy with their XM Flippers can e-mail me and I will happily assist in finding them new, loving homes.
 
This is a really interesting thread. I don't have a Hinderer knife, but I really want one; it'll be my first "high value" knife once I get enough moolah. The flippers that I have are a Buck Vantage pro and a Kershaw Leek, which I see have been noted earlier as being some of the best general production flipper knives.

I just wanted to add to this discussion the idea of maybe a non-flipper being more reliable 100% of the time. I know that my Vantage sometimes doesn't open up ALL the way, and I have to add a little wrist flick to get the lock to engage at the very end of the deployment. The Leek is assisted, so it doesn't have this problem. I'm only talking about non-assisted flippers here. So what I'm thinking is that I may flip the knife at some point, think I heard it locked, go to use it, and then it folds up on me. Very unlikely, but highly possible at least for me.

On the other hand, a non-flipper knife COULD have this same problem if you tend to flick your knives open, but if you don't flick your knives open, the problem is gone. Your finger is forced to follow the knife opening all the way through until the lock engages and your finger can't move the blade anymore. I think that this is an advantage for the non-flipper knife because having your finger physically on the blade until it locks ensures lock-up 100% of the time.

I understand that a flipper usually has a thumbstud with it, but who is going to use the thumbstud on a flipper knife all the time to overcome this non-flipper advantage?? I just think that it is somewhat of a disadvantage to deploy with a flipper because it's kinda like throwing a dart: you "shoot" it off with your hand/finger and to a certain extent you hope it hits where you were aiming, dartboard/engaged lock.

Of course, this advantage, if anyone else thinks it can be called that, might not overcome the flipper advantages of (1) being more fun (subjective), (2) having two deployment methods (who's not going to use a flipper on a flipper knife?), and (3) having the finger guard built into the blade.

I think everybody needs at least one flipper. I like variety in my knives, and the flipper is a great/novel idea. I just think that a traditional opening method like a hole or thumbstud allows you more control during blade-opening. If I were getting a Hinderer knife today, I would get a non-flipper.
 
GLDNDomer said:
I think everybody needs at least one flipper. I like variety in my knives, and the flipper is a great/novel idea. I just think that a traditional opening method like a hole or thumbstud allows you more control during blade-opening. If I were getting a Hinderer knife today, I would get a non-flipper.
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There - I fixed it for ya.
 
GLDNDomer said:
I just wanted to add to this discussion the idea of maybe a non-flipper being more reliable 100% of the time. I know that my Vantage sometimes doesn't open up ALL the way, and I have to add a little wrist flick to get the lock to engage at the very end of the deployment. The Leek is assisted, so it doesn't have this problem. I'm only talking about non-assisted flippers here. So what I'm thinking is that I may flip the knife at some point, think I heard it locked, go to use it, and then it folds up on me. Very unlikely, but highly possible at least for me.
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Never in my life had I had this "problem". First of all the act of cutting something applies pressure to the edge and should therefore push the blade to complete its opening. If you are stabbing on the other hand then at least the flipper acts as a guard and the blade won't close on your fingers. Also, if the blade hasn't completely deployed then a proper grip should push your index finger against the flipper and lock it opened.
 
I edc tip up, inside waist belt, at about 4 o'clock (if my belt buckle is 12), which is on my strong slide. I'm looking for my first Hinderer, but plan to get both an XM-18 3.5" and an XM-24. I currently carry a large Sebenza micarta, so muscle memory wants to find a thumb stud. What do you guys with Hinderer experience think would be better for me, a flipper or non-flipper?
 
I may be in the minority here, but I prefer the aesthetics of the non-flipper. More streamlined to me. Also, when I'm in an office setting, it somehow looks less threatening in my opinion, both visually and in deploying. Don't really see much practical advantage to the flipper, at least from my own perspective - other than maybe it's fun to flick open. In either case, you're getting an awesome folder that you will unlikely see anyone else around you carrying - one that is hard to come by and easy to sell if the need arises.
 
I have both XM 24 flipper and XM 18 non flipper, I find on the 24 it becomes more useful for opening and gives me added protection for forward thrusts. The XM 18 I find the thumbstuds serve me well without the flipper protrusion that could get hung up on tight clothing. The thumbstud deployment on both are buttery smooth and open with a snap, no wrist action required. I also have a Sebbie and that never has opened with a snap,and from what I heard CRK does not want the knife opened with wrist snap. Also for me I find the thumbstud opening a more natural movement with push of thumb instead pull of finger with a little wrist action. Both have great visual lines and the flipper does have that tacticool factor also. Love them both and either way you will not be disappointed,so it boils down to what you like, if you have an
opportunity try them both out.
 
I really like the knives I have with a flipper, mainly those of Hinderer design. It doesn't add another point of failure but it does add another very useful feature. It's a win.
 
FolderFreaker said:
I edc tip up, inside waist belt, at about 4 o'clock (if my belt buckle is 12), which is on my strong slide. I'm looking for my first Hinderer, but plan to get both an XM-18 3.5" and an XM-24. I currently carry a large Sebenza micarta, so muscle memory wants to find a thumb stud. What do you guys with Hinderer experience think would be better for me, a flipper or non-flipper?
Click to expand...

I carry mine like this when wearing gym clothes or just lazily relaxing around the house. I carry flippers and they don't give me issue with inside the waist band at say 4 o' clock position. I find on flimsy type fabrics, that I will carry my folder as you described because in a pocket, as you move, things tend to flop about.

I taught myself in very short time to be automatically seeking the flipper, if I pick up a knife without one, the muscle memory reverts to thub stud/hole opening.


I am a flipper guy. My non-flippers get dusty while my flipper Hinderers get EDC.
 
I've got XM-18 3" non-flipper and both an XM-24 flipper and XM-24 non-flipper. The flippers are more fun to play with but when playtime is over I would choose the non-flipper for when it's time to get serious. If you still want something to play with pickup a ZT0560...it's more than half the knife at quarter the price and it flips better than the XM's. It's also a great knife for those nights were you might wake up the next day without it.:very_drunk:
 
3.5" - I love my flipper. I can open with the thumb studs no problem too, but flipper is fun.
 
Having just recently joined the club of Hinderer owners with an XM-18 3" slicer I can honestly say that for me the flipper serves mainly as a finger guard for me and is pleasing aesthetically. I find that by habit I still use the thumb-stud for lightening fast deployment. I'm just not used to the flipping motion. Perhaps, in time, I will develop that muscle memory but at the moment I am perfectly content with the way the blade snaps out with so little effort and no need for wrist action.
 
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