Frame Lock Flippers Issues

M

mobilerd

Joined
Jan 10, 2012
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Any one experience difficulty deploying your frame lock flippers when even the SLIGHTEST pressure is on the lock bar? I mean just your finger touching the lock bar seems to increase the force needed exponentially to overcome the detent. If yes any tips on how to cure this (other than not touching the lock bar)?
 
I've never had a problem. I've never had to flick my wrist either. Lately, after years of flipping, I can notice a little bit of difference if I have some pressure on the lockbar. I assume it's just an everybody is different kind of thing. I have noticed that every knife has it's own flavor of flicking. Some snappy, some slushy, some tight, they're all different.
 
It just depends on the knife. Some are like that. Others don't do that. Usually it has to do with how prominent that detent ball is on the lockbar. Other than modding it, which I don't recommend, there's not much else you can. I've gotten used to not grabbing the lockbar when I use a flipper.
 
ShadyMethods said:
It just depends on the knife. Some are like that. Others don't do that. Usually it has to do with how prominent that detent ball is on the lockbar. Other than modding it, which I don't recommend, there's not much else you can. I've gotten used to not grabbing the lockbar when I use a flipper.
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My experience also. My ZT's are the worst, except for the 0920. Seems like a design flaw to me.
 
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I have had that issue with frame lock flippers. To rid myself of the problem I redesigned (or made a new clip) so that it was not over the lock bar and part of the clip was covering the lock bar. With this being done I made sure that when I grabbed the knife my fingers or finger would make contact with the clip and not the lock bar. Also when pressing on the clip it would be stopped by the frame, not allowing it to come in contact with the locking bar. My issues were then gone. This could be caused by my hand size and long fingers. The fingers always seemed to put some pressure on the lock bar. Not every flipper responded the same by grabbing the knife. I think some are more sensitive to pressure.
 
rpttrsn said:
I have had that issue with frame lock flippers. To rid myself of the problem I redesigned (or made a new clip) so that it was not over the lock bar and part of the clip was covering the lock bar. With this being done I made sure that when I grabbed the knife my fingers or finger would make contact with the clip and not the lock bar. Also when pressing on the clip it would be stopped by the frame, not allowing it to come in contact with the locking bar. My issues were then gone. This could be caused by my hand size and long fingers. The fingers always seemed to put some pressure on the lock bar. Not every flipper responded the same by grabbing the knife. I think some are more sensitive to pressure.
Click to expand...

Pics!! Curiosity has over taken me! I’m pretty sure I speak for anyone who read your post. We would love to see it!
 
No pics needed. It is not something new. Some framelock folders are more sensitive to lockbar pressure than others for ease of opening. I just tried my ZTs. 0470 and 0452 are more sensitive than 0562 and 0801. The latter two actually are not affected much by the lockbar pressure.
 
I’ve only had this issue with one knife.......that damn ZT 450.
If you look at the lock bar it is unflippable.
Haven’t carried it in years.
 
anthonycastorena2014 said:
Pics!! Curiosity has over taken me! I’m pretty sure I speak for anyone who read your post. We would love to see it!
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This clip covers more of the frame lock so my fingers are not as apt to put pressure on the frame lock.
Sharp Edge mentioned this knife. ZT 0470
photo-vi.jpg
 
My favorite knives dont have that issue, I can apply pressure and it flips just fine, but some will not deploy with some pressure on the lockbar, I dont know what comes into play, detent, bearings, washers, but most I have dont have that issue
 
So it's indeed a ZT 0470. I got the same knife yesterday and in the beginning had the same kind of issue opening it. Then I realized that I need to keep my middle finger not touching the lock side (well you can rest it on the half of non-lockbar). BTW, the factory clip is fine - it is not pressing the lockbar.

N59Q5PK.jpg
 
sharp_edge said:
So it's indeed a ZT 0470. I got the same knife yesterday and in the beginning had the same kind of issue opening it. Then I realized that I need to keep my middle finger not touching the lock side (well you can rest it on the half of non-lockbar). BTW, the factory clip is fine - it is not pressing the lockbar.

N59Q5PK.jpg
Click to expand...
I found my fingers touching the lockbar if I just grab the knife like I would any other. Its just how I hold the knife when opening. Buy putting this clip more to the center of the knife my normal grip now lands on the clip without having to concentrate every time, thus no more pressure being put on the lockbar. Doesn't happen with all my frame lock's but this knife was an issue for me. Glad it's not for you.
 
rpttrsn said:
I found my fingers touching the lockbar if I just grab the knife like I would any other. Its just how I hold the knife when opening. Buy putting this clip more to the center of the knife my normal grip now lands on the clip without having to concentrate every time, thus no more pressure being put on the lockbar. Doesn't happen with all my frame lock's but this knife was an issue for me. Glad it's not for you.
Click to expand...

Yes - I agree with you and like I said thats also how I felt in the beginning. Took me some time to get used to the way of flipping it properly. I can see a longer clip may help.
 
OP here. From what I see from the responses here the relation of the lock bar to the detent is a DESIGN FLAW. Saw a review where someone returned a ZT 0055 to ZT and the detent was modified to allow less resistance thus flipping as it should have been to start with. My ZT 0055 with ceramic bearing moves effortlessly after it overcomes the ridiculous detent if the lock bar is touched.
 
To varying degrees, yes, and some are very bad and others not too bad or just fine.

Never had any problem with the flippers from Les George. Those you can deliberately press on the lock bar and they open just the same, a feature I only recently noticed. Someone mentioned the ZT 0920, a Les George design, and it's especially good in this department. My Wilson Eagle is the same way but not as good.

The Spyderco Advocate poses zero problem for me. The ZT 0450 is good to go, the 0609, not so much.

I'd say for most of mine, I have to awkwardly apply force to the lock bar and flub the opening to have a real problem. I open right-handed knives in my left hand and my thumb falls naturally on the lock bar so I'm ripe to errors and mindful of this issue. It just turns out to be less of a problem for me than I imagined.
 
Kershaw Ripple (think that's the name) was the worst at having the frame lock interfere with opening. Traded it away at a gunshow.
Handled a few of the ZT/Emerson flippers. Combination of a stiff detent & the frame lock could keep it from opening.
ZT 0808 I use to own flipped well though.
 
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