FLIPPER-Yes or No?

I like the Carson flipper on the CRKT M16's. If I am not mistaken, Carson was the first to do a flipper. And I think the M16's by CRKT were ther first production flippers.
 
I don't like thumb studs; I just don't prefer to open my folders that way, and they get gunk and food and stuff caught up in them. So I like holes, like a Spyderhole or the non-round ones on a BladeTech Pro Hunter, and I like flippers. I really like the way you can have a totally clean blade, no hole, no protrusions or studs, with a flipper.
 
I agree with DRider whole-heartedly. I tend to be pro-hole and anti-stud.

I only have one knife with a flipper (a Ti JYD II) and really like the opening mechanism on it. I also like how the flipper enables a clean-looking blade by eliminating the need for holes, studs, disks, etc.

The only "con" to the flipper is that it seems to be designed primarily for quick opening. There are some situations where I really prefer the deliberate, more discreet opening of a good ol' round hole.

All in all, though, I'm a fan of flippers.
 
I love a flipper when it's designed right, and not just as a gimmick. If I can pull the knife out of the pocket and my finger naturally ends up where it needs to be to open it, it's great. If I have to look at it, or feel around until I can locate the flipper extension, not so much.
 
made4blade said:
I like the Carson flipper on the CRKT M16's. If I am not mistaken, Carson was the first to do a flipper. And I think the M16's by CRKT were ther first production flippers.
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There was a thread about this not too long ago, but unfortunately I can't find it now even through google. Kit Carson did not invent the flipper, although he did give it its current level of popularity. If I remember correctly, Carson got the idea from a maker named Randall Gilbreath, who got it from Mel Pardue. And Darrel Ralph pointed out that there were folders called 'dock knives' over 100 years ago that had flippers.


I'll take a flipper everytime. I don't use them to open the blade, but I like the fact that it provides a finger guard.
 
A.P.F. said:
Yet another fad. I'll stick with a nail nick, stud, or hole, thanks. ;)
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Ah, the fads of yesteryear. At what point does it become a feature rather than a fad? Have you ever tried a flipper or you "just know" that flippers can only be fads? Don't knock it til you try it....:)
 
First off - AO flippers make some kind of sense - this is somewhat balanced by the chance with tip up carry of "accidentally" opening the knife on it's way out of your pocket. For my use - I am way less concerned about how fast the blade deploys compared to how reliabily it locks open ( the "safe" in speed-safe). Non-AO flippers require me to pay attention to opening them - I'm sure that on a good one ( Kershaw RAMM for instance) - I could get this up to 99% plus. But with a stud or hole - I can put the little bit of extra muscle into opening the knife and KNOW it's going to be well pushed into it's lock. I need my hands for work - the .1783 seconds longer it takes me to lock a non-flipper open compared to flipping it is NBD for me - being very sure on a muscle memory - instinctive- level that I have a locked blade in my hand is a very big deal.
 
I love the flipper! It's so cool and makes opening seem like it's an automatic. I don't like it when it is assisted though like on the Buck Rush and Kershaw Chive and Onion since unlocking the safety mechanism slows it down so much that it's no different than if it didn't have the flipper.

Mike
 
OilMan said:
Ah, the fads of yesteryear. At what point does it become a feature rather than a fad? Have you ever tried a flipper or you "just know" that flippers can only be fads? Don't knock it til you try it....:)
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Actually, I did try a couple. One was a Lahar and there was no way I could flip that sucker open. (I liked the knife though.)

Sometimes, when you are dealing with old bastids like myself, newer ain't better for less flexible hands and inflexible habits. ;)

I certainly respect anyone who masters the flipper, but unless it is attached to an AO knife, it's just not for me.
 
I haven't gotten a knife with a flipper, but i might get either a boker trance or a crkt m16 for my next purchase, i really like the trance's design but how is the flipper?
 
My AG Russell Folding Spearpoint is of the flipper type and that is my only complaint about it. I am not fond of flippers or AO, all they do is attract attention to the knife and the way most of you complain about the way people react to your knives I would think that is the last thing you would want to do. Both the AO and flipper systems are made for showing off, not for subtle use of a knife, I simply cannot see a true practical use for them. Yes, you can open one marginally faster than a correctly designed thumbstud ot thumbhole but the difference if very slight. If absolute top speed is needed you can wrist snap either once they have been started. By correctly designed I mean a thumbstud large enough to use with authority like the Sebenza or the top mounted thumb paddle like Emerson uses on the excellent CQC7. Holes should be large enough to allow enough of the pad of the thumb to easily engage it.

Knife companies know there is a tremendous amount of competition out there for your dollars and design eye catching knives to order to win your patronage. Fact is, a Buck 110 would be just about perfect if it had a usable stud. I carried one for years with one of the One Arm Bandits on it, worked great.
 
I have a few customs from J L Williams and Hinderer. I have used the RJ Martin Q36 too. All smooth and flip flawlessly. I also have the 'speed assist' ZT 301 and it snaps open very fast for a large knife.

They fill a certain niche.

I still buy tactical folders that are non flippers and I have no problem with the lack of a flipper from Chris Reeve or Strider etc. I prefer those knives to be 'traditional'.
 
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