Flipping my flipper

Jaytaylor

Jaytaylor

Joined
Feb 9, 2012
Messages
1,720
Made my first ewe-tube vid in response to those who think an XM-18 doesn't flip so well.

When set up just right, no blade play at all.

[video=youtube_share;-XvtuJKhleI]http://youtu.be/-XvtuJKhleI[/video]
 
chili77 said:
You got a nice one there.
No chance to do that with my 3".
Click to expand...

Sure there is, I can flip any of my 3" XMs and I am not particularly adept at "flipping" nor do I sit around practicing. I agree the 3" is the most difficult though with the lighter weight and shorter flipper.
 
I've adjusted mine and it flys open, but the ZT I was looking at the other day still flipped open easier straight out of the box. I'll admit I've been wondering, but haven't really looked into it. I know it wasn't an assisted flipper ZT. I was actually curious if the ZT had a bearing style hinge. I also wondered if the ZT just had more mass in the blade than my wharnclif. I understand that the PTFE bushing aids the XM lower the opening friction.

OP thanks for the video. Your absolutely flys open too. What lube are you using?
 
The XM is a good knife but a bad flipper. At least mine is. It flipps open with wristaction but not without.
 
chili77 said:
The XM is a good knife but a bad flipper. At least mine is. It flipps open with wristaction but not without.
Click to expand...

I'll make a deal with you, I'll come see you when I am visiting Austria. I'll spend a few seconds making sure your knife is properly adjusted and then if I can flip it open with no wrist action, I get to leave with it in my pocket. If I can't, you can have my 3" XM.
 
I Agree. My 3" XM flips and flips well. The "whack" is commensurate to its size but, no trouble Flipping open nicely (no wrist needed)
 
How did you "adjust" it? That can mean anything from loosening the pivot to making the detent stronger.
Thanks!
 
Tymah123 said:
How did you "adjust" it? That can mean anything from loosening the pivot to making the detent stronger.
Thanks!
Click to expand...

Dismantle
Clean it
Nice lube (not too much) on both sides (between washer and blade)
Re-Assemble (see sticky for centering)
Minute pivot screw adjustment to where blade is nicely centered AND the blade flies open with No restriction.
 
RubiconSS said:
Minute pivot screw adjustment to where blade is nicely centered AND the blade flies open with No restriction.
Click to expand...

Not to be too pedantic but I would add the caveat that "no restriction" is not really possible as the detent ball combined with the lockbar tension will always provide restriction (as well as the washers/pivot). I tend to adjust mine and test the freedom of the blade movement by holding open the lockbar to remove that restriction. I like to tighten the pivot as tightly as I can while the blade can still move as freely as possible with the lockbar held open (i.e., right to the point where tightening the pivot any further causes the blade movement to stiffen).
 
RDA said:
I'll make a deal with you, I'll come see you when I am visiting Austria. I'll spend a few seconds making sure your knife is properly adjusted and then if I can flip it open with no wrist action, I get to leave with it in my pocket. If I can't, you can have my 3" XM.
Click to expand...

:D

I'm sure it would be fun to meet another 3" owner. Lets replace "betting knives" with "paying the evenings beer" and I'm in ;)
To be serious again. My XM is in factory settings. I doubt that the pivot tension would be too high. Correct, or should it be adjusted?
 
chili77 said:
:D

I'm sure it would be fun to meet another 3" owner. Lets replace "betting knives" with "paying the evenings beer" and I'm in ;)
To be serious again. My XM is in factory settings. I doubt that the pivot tension would be too high. Correct, or should it be adjusted?
Click to expand...

Oh, it can be tight in my experience, did you purchase it direct? I believe they may even tighten them a little bit extra if they know they are going international to avoid potential custom problems.
 
My 3" XMs flip just as well, if not a touch better, than my 3.5"ers. It's largely a matter of technique combined with a bit of lube and finding the pivot "sweet spot". It took me a bit to find that perfect combo, but now that I have I find flipping them very satisfying :)
 
Lets see if I can fashion a guiding response that will "Pass" even the most granular of microscopic examination.....:rolleyes:
What I meant (and what may be obvious to some) is.....
There are certain non-adjustable "constants" on an XM (will add for granularity avoidance: Should be viewed as constants - Read: Do not adjust)
They are: the LockBar and the Detent. Which is why I did not include them in my macroscopic view of
the word "restriction".
The "adjustable" restriction is the Pivot Screw.
Adjust your knife "IF" Flipping is the goal while maintaining the blade center to the point where it is flipping without restriction (caused by the variable) ignoring the ever present constants.
Hope that helps.

P.S. - "It's a Knife" not a Rocket Launch :)
 
My 3 satin blade ones fly open but the working finish is just not working yet. Had it apart for lube a couple of times, I am not sure if I need to just keep working on it or if the working finish may have something to do with this which I suspect is a possibility.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top