Is anyone else starting to hate flippers?

[Wolverine666]

I do not like flippers at all. I tried carrying a couple flippers years ago but since I remove the clips from my knives and keep them in my pocket , I found the flipper sometimes snagged on my pocket seem. I see how people like them but they're just not for me. A few buddies at work carry flippers and they love them. It's nice to have options. And I opt for the hole or stud.

 

[grownstar]

Another fun flipper!



And another!



One more for good measure!

 

[22-rimfire]

I own two flippers; both SOGs (Vulcan and Mini Vulcan). That was enough for me. I have more assisted openers. The initial ones were the SOG Blink, Twitch II, and Twitch XL. But other than a ZT last year, I haven't bought any assisted openers in over a year. I like regular Spydie blades with the traditional lock back design and the hole. I have no need for one hand openers in general, but that hasn't stopped me from acquiring some.

Flippers never really interested me much after messing with the two SOGs. The assisted openers are fun, but I am comfortable with more manual folders. Two hands is just fine with me. But who am I to say that my preferences should be what others prefer? If I get unable to open a knife with two hands, then I thank the lord for assisted openers so I can continue to carry a regular knife daily.

 

[marcinek]

What?

"You said hot dogs are nasty."
"Yes, I think hot dogs are nasty."
"BUT YOU SAID IT LIKE IT WAS A FACT!"

I'm done here. You're a special one, Quiet.

Actually more like...

"You said hot dogs are nasty."
"Yes, if hot dogs were yummy, Julia Child would eat them."

I like hot dogs.

I don't like flippers. And yet I still seem to find other knives to buy.
I don't like scandies. And yet I still seem to find other knives to buy.
I don't like recurves. And yet I still seem to find other knives to buy. etc etc etc

And I want people who like those things to have continued and varied choices with them. Don't bother me none.

 

[bld522]

I do not like flippers at all. I tried carrying a couple flippers years ago but since I remove the clips from my knives and keep them in my pocket , I found the flipper sometimes snagged on my pocket seem. I see how people like them but they're just not for me. A few buddies at work carry flippers and they love them. It's nice to have options. And I opt for the hole or stud.

That's interesting. Like you, I remove the clips and carry all of my folders deep in my pocket. I've had a few of them snag on the thumbstuds when I tried to remove them from my pocket, but never on a flipper. The only way I could see that happening is if the flipper itself is laying on the bottom of your pocket and getting tangled in the seam by some loose thread. Having said that, I generally try to put my knives in my pocket flipper side up so the blade spine rests against the seam at the bottom of my pocket. Unclipped knives can move around, though. So it doesn't always work out that way.

 

[newdebate]

What's odd is that you keep posting the same annoying comments. Did I say that I wish they'd go away forever? No, I didn't. I don't like the trend of making knives I would otherwise like into flippers. I'd much prefer it if they had a thumb stud too (along with the flipper). This is a respected knife forum so I wanted to gauge others reactions and was wondering if I was missing something when it came to the flipper.

Might want to update your ignore list.

 

[bt93]

What?

"You said hot dogs are nasty."
"Yes, I think hot dogs are nasty."
"BUT YOU SAID IT LIKE IT WAS A FACT!"

I'm done here. You're a special one, Quiet.

Hot Dogs are a healthy part of my high sodium diet and eveyone should take part. Anyone who disagrees are more evil than a global warming denier.

 

[ebidis]

Wheelchairs are quite practical for people who are paralyzed, but not so much for people who can walk. As Craytab said, flippers are practical, for him, when wearing winter gloves. I think they aren't practical. You are the only person getting extremely butthurt by my opinion.

Who said Chris Reeve is the measuring stick for all things practical? I certainly didn't.

I'm not but hurt, it would take a lot more than that. I was answering your question (In bold below). As far as Chris Reeve, did you not also make the statement below (also in bold)? This would imply that you are using CR as the measuring stick.

I was simply trying to participate in the conversation. I guess I could have worded it more politely, but there is No need for personal attacks.

How is a flipper practical? Thumb Studs/Holes/Discs were added for easy one handed opening. What purpose does a flipper have, other than for fun? Why do knifemakers add bearings to a knife? To make it smooth? Whether the knife has flipper or thumb studs/holes/discs doesn't matter when I'm opening the mail.

If flippers were practical, Chris Reeve would have made one a long time ago.

 

[Rey HRH]

How is a flipper practical? Thumb Studs/Holes/Discs were added for easy one handed opening. What purpose does a flipper have, other than for fun? Why do knifemakers add bearings to a knife? To make it smooth? Whether the knife has flipper or thumb studs/holes/discs doesn't matter when I'm opening the mail.

If flippers were practical, Chris Reeve would have made one a long time ago.

I don't mind either a thumb stud or flipper. But when you're sharpening a knife, the thumb stud takes a wee bit more care in how you handle the knife than without the stud.

 

[Acadian]

I don't have a problem with any opening methods. Flipper, wave, thumb stud, Thumb disc, Auto, traditional, etc... I like em all.

BUT there are some good flippers and there are some mediocre ones - a bad flipper can really kill a knife.

 

[Wolverine666]

That's interesting. Like you, I remove the clips and carry all of my folders deep in my pocket. I've had a few of them snag on the thumbstuds when I tried to remove them from my pocket, but never on a flipper. The only way I could see that happening is if the flipper itself is laying on the bottom of your pocket and getting tangled in the seam by some loose thread. Having said that, I generally try to put my knives in my pocket flipper side up so the blade spine rests against the seam at the bottom of my pocket. Unclipped knives can move around, though. So it doesn't always work out that way.

That's the thing with clipless knives , they do shift around in the pocket. My flippers would end up laying flat in the bottom of my front pocket sometimes and the flipper itself would hook the seem where the fabric meets. Then when I'd pull out the knife my pocket would end up inside out.

Not the end of the world. But I don't like it. Funny thing is nowadays I carry most of my knives (non-flippers) in my back pocket. No fabric to snag. Ironic.

 

[craytab]

What's odd is that you keep posting the same annoying comments. Did I say that I wish they'd go away forever? No, I didn't. I don't like the trend of making knives I would otherwise like into flippers. I'd much prefer it if they had a thumb stud too (along with the flipper). This is a respected knife forum so I wanted to gauge others reactions and was wondering if I was missing something when it came to the flipper.

Um, so what exactly do you think "I hope they are a fad" means?

You are taking issue with my opinion that they aren't practical. It's my opinion. Whether you agree with my opinion, or not, doesn't mean jack to me.

Dave, you didn't state it as an opinion:

How is a flipper practical? Thumb Studs/Holes/Discs were added for easy one handed opening. What purpose does a flipper have, other than for fun? Why do knifemakers add bearings to a knife? To make it smooth? Whether the knife has flipper or thumb studs/holes/discs doesn't matter when I'm opening the mail.

If flippers were practical, Chris Reeve would have made one a long time ago.

An opinion is what I offered and I backed it up with my experience. Sorry, quiet is right on this. It is okay to have an opinion about not liking things (or liking strawberry ice cream bld522). But to tell us all that our opinions are wrong, like you did, is very boris like.

 

[bobnery]

I've had my fair share of flippers, and they are fun, but definitely not my favorite.

The thing that gets me is opening speed. I think it is the most ridiculous thing people focus on when it comes to knives. Don't confuse opening ease for speed here.

You don't need opening speed to open your newest knife when it arrives in the mail, or any other edc task I can think of.

The only thing I can see speed being a factor in is possibly self defense, and even then we are talking fractions of seconds that probably really don't matter. We like to think they do, but in a real world SD situation any smooth one hand opening knife should be sufficient.

 

[bflying]

Wait, since when are options bad in any industry/product? Options and innovation are a great thing for all of us, or we would all just be carrying a Barlow Knife and be happy with it. (Although I do love and collect Barlow's too).

I thought at one time that the Wave would just be a fad. But now just about every maker is licensing it for some models. I only own a couple of them, but don't much like that function. Flippers on the other hand, really love and have waaayyy too many. To each his/her own.

 

[Stays Sharp]

I'm not into flippers, but it wouldn't stop me from buying a nice one that tickles my fancy.

Even if you strongly prefer NON-flippers, hate is too strong a word. The flipper as an opening method cannot be THAT bad to anyone unless you are missing you index finger maybe?

 

[Surfingringo]

I was never into flippers. This knife completely changed my mind on the matter though. I will say that having the spyderhole as a secondary opening method is a big deal to me. I'm not so sure I would be interested in a knife that could only be opened with a flipper.

 

[bld522]

That's the thing with clipless knives , they do shift around in the pocket. My flippers would end up laying flat in the bottom of my front pocket sometimes and the flipper itself would hook the seem where the fabric meets. Then when I'd pull out the knife my pocket would end up inside out.

Not the end of the world. But I don't like it. Funny thing is nowadays I carry most of my knives (non-flippers) in my back pocket. No fabric to snag. Ironic.

I don't know why I never had the problem of the flipper getting caught up in the seam. Just hasn't happened . . . or at least not yet. But I can see where keeping a folder in your back pocket would work. Funny thing is, I always have a knife in my back pocket . . . well, in my wallet actually. I have a lightweight nylon tri-fold with an external coin compartment that's almost 5" wide. I can fit a Small Sebenza or an XM-18 3.0" in that compartment easily. Right now I've got a William Henry B7-FT in there. Wonderful knives those William Henrys. My B7-FT is light as a feather and sharp as a razor. Here's a borrowed pic:

 

[Surfingringo]

I don't know why I never had the problem of the flipper getting caught up in the seam. Just hasn't happened . . . or at least not yet. But I can see where keeping a folder in your back pocket would work. Funny thing is, I always have a knife in my back pocket . . . well, in my wallet actually. I have a lightweight nylon tri-fold with an external coin compartment that's almost 5" wide. I can fit a Small Sebenza or an XM-18 3.0" in that compartment easily. Right now I've got a William Henry B7-FT in there. Wonderful knives those William Henrys. My B7-FT is light as a feather and sharp as a razor. Here's a borrowed pic:

Nice lines. That's a beauty!!

 

[bld522]

Thanks. Matt Conable makes some of the finest production lightweight folders on the planet. Just spectacular craftsmanship if you ask me.

 

[Wolverine666]

I don't know why I never had the problem of the flipper getting caught up in the seam. Just hasn't happened . . . or at least not yet. But I can see where keeping a folder in your back pocket would work. Funny thing is, I always have a knife in my back pocket . . . well, in my wallet actually. I have a lightweight nylon tri-fold with an external coin compartment that's almost 5" wide. I can fit a Small Sebenza or an XM-18 3.0" in that compartment easily. Right now I've got a William Henry B7-FT in there. Wonderful knives those William Henrys. My B7-FT is light as a feather and sharp as a razor. Here's a borrowed pic:

These days I much prefer carrying in my back pocket. Especially since I'm more interested in larger knives than I was in previous years. That WH is a looker for sure. How big is it ?