Flippers: to finger flick or bic thumb?

[NeverEnuff]

I've recently discovered that on many of my flippers I actually prefer to open them like I'm engaging a bic lighter.

How do you prefer to do it?

 

[norcalAF]

Like I'm playing with the little man in the boat

 

[AntDog]

I don’t even see how you’d thumb open most flippers. On some heavier ones I’d probably drop the knife. Front flippers maybe, but the ones with the tab out the back? Nah.

norcalAF - must be the finger. Most ladies don’t thumb flick the bean.

 

[NeverEnuff]

I don’t even see how you’d thumb open most flippers. On some heavier ones I’d probably drop the knife. Front flippers maybe, but the ones with the tab out the back? Nah.

norcalAF - must be the finger. Most ladies don’t thumb flick the bean.

Maybe length of fingers or size of hand has something to do with it? I can easily do it with most my flippers. The ones I can't have a very short tab.

 

[DangerZone98]

Index finger for me. Having my thumb on the scale is added security against dropping the knife.

 

[AntDog]

Index finger for me. Having my thumb on the scale is added security against dropping the knife.

Exactly. I’ve tried it before with my thumb and the knife felt like a greased banana.

OP - whatever works for you is the right way. I just hope you don’t drop one on a toe or two. If it matters I have mongo huge hands with average length, thick fingers and thumbing flippers open is a no go for me.

 

[Peregrin]

I've only got 3 kinds flippers to comment on.
The Pro-Tech Malibu, I can flip with either finger or thumb. The finger is a bit more reliable, as it allows for a better grip.
The Boker Plus Burnley Kwaiken I can only flip with a finger. I'd have to be some kind of contortionist to flip it with my thumb
The Boker Plus LRF flippers can be opened with finger or thumb. I prefer the thumb opening on these.

 

[norcalAF]

I don’t even see how you’d thumb open most flippers. On some heavier ones I’d probably drop the knife. Front flippers maybe, but the ones with the tab out the back? Nah.

norcalAF - must be the finger. Most ladies don’t thumb flick the bean.

It's the tongue

 

[NeverEnuff]

Exactly. I’ve tried it before with my thumb and the knife felt like a greased banana.

OP - whatever works for you is the right way. I just hope you don’t drop one on a toe or two. If it matters I have mongo huge hands with average length, thick fingers and thumbing flippers open is a no go for me.

Interesting, I find a much firmer grip is between my palm and fingers with my pinky wrapped underneath. There's no dropping my knives while thumbing, but this is also because I prefer and only buy smaller knives, 3" blade and 4" handle.

 

[Another Shepherd]

The only flipper that I can thumb flip is a Civivi Appalachian Drifter, which is a small double detent with an unusually strong detent. I have to grip the pocket clip with my fingers to hold onto the knife.

My thumb is stronger than my forefinger, but my forefinger is faster than my thumb. My thumb is too slow to flip most flippers reliable. The strong detent makes the Drifter a bit difficult to flip reliably with my forefinger, but the strong detent also allows my thumb to build up enough pressure to compensate for its usually slower speed.

 

[AntDog]

Interesting, I find a much firmer grip is between my palm and fingers with my pinky wrapped underneath. There's no dropping my knives while thumbing, but this is also because I prefer and only buy smaller knives, 3" blade and 4" handle.

It’s not about the strength or firmness of the grip. It’s the dexterity. I can get a plenty good squeeze with either configuration, but with the thumb flick I feel like it’s gonna fly out of my hand.

 

[NeverEnuff]

It’s not about the strength or firmness of the grip. It’s the dexterity. I can get a plenty good squeeze with either configuration, but with the thumb flick I feel like it’s gonna fly out of my hand.

Odd, but just too many variables to measure any difference without actual measurements.