Front tab opening gent's folders

d.r.h.

d.r.h.

starik
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Feb 13, 2012
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I recently received my latest custom liner lock gent's folder from Alan Davis. I asked him to build this with a front tab opening blade rather than using a thumb stud. I have 5 other knives with front opening tabs (two others from Alan and three from Phil Tham, who is no longer making knives). Have to say, I really like this opening method on a smaller liner lock. It provides for a nice, clean blade profile and extremely easy opening with a thumb roll on the blade tab. Often times with a smaller liner lock, opening with a thumb stud can be a little tricky if the cut out in the scale/bolster is not large enough or the thumb stud not tall enough. In that case, more pressure must be placed with the thumb or I need to wedge my thumb nail between the thumb stud and frame to easily open the knife. Maybe it is just my arthritic hands, but the front opening tab eliminates this frustration for me especially with a really small knife. If you ever have the opportunity to try out this type of knife, would highly recommend it. While it might not be everyone's cup of tea, I love it! Here are a couple quick pics I took of my front tab opening gent's folders I took today (all have 3 inch or smaller blades):

Alan Davis front tab openers:

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Phil Tham front tab openers:

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Lovely knives. I like front flippers because, as you mentioned, they produce nice, clean profiles. Elegant. I do find, personally, that the more the tab protrudes, the less elegant they seem to me.

It never occurred to me that they might be easier for some people to open than thumb studs. That's good to know. I thumb roll (as opposed to pointer finger pull) them myself.
 
One thing I love is the front flipper, but the variant I prefer is on the bottom (parallel to the edge) like G&G Hawk do. Gives a much more elegant profile, while still being super simple to use. A top mounted front flipper is slightly awkward, but it does give the advantage of being able to put the jimping on the top of the flipper and it doesn't ruin the lines.
 
Those are beauties drh. I'm not a traditional kind of guy but I can appreciate beauty and craftsmanship when I see it.

Can you do a quick rundown on what we are seeing and the materials involved?
 
gazz98 said:
Can you do a quick rundown on what we are seeing and the materials involved?
Click to expand...

None are designed to be flippers, though since the top 3 Davis knives run on bearings, you could flip them with practice. The thumb roll is my preferred method of opening. The Davis knives are (1) Mammoth bark with Timascus bolsters and a 2.5" CTS-XHP blade, (2) hartebeest horn with titanium texturetech bolsters with a 3" Burke "River of Fire" Damascus blade, and (3) curly koa with a 2.25" Rob Calcinore mosaic Damascus blade. The Tham models all run on washers. They are (1) Axis stag with stainless bolsters and a 2.5" D2 blade, (2) dyed silky oak with stainless bolsters and a 2.5" CPM 154 blade, and (3) Mammoth bark with acid etched steel bolsters and a 2.5" HHH "predator" Damascus blade.
 
I love front flippers.
These are what I currently have, and I plan to buy more.

MacWasil_EXK3.JPG
 
I had a large Shamwari...a true masterpiece, but I couldn't handle the opening technique. Sold it.
 
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