Is anyone else starting to hate flippers?

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DAVE_M said:
If flippers were practical, Chris Reeve would have made one a long time ago.
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Ever open a thread and skim the first few posts, with not much interest and just about to close it, then read a ridiculous absolute statement that you know is going to turn the thread into a dumpster fire? Then you find yourself taking the next 10 minutes to read every single post? This was one of those times.
 
A lot of people are disagreeing with what I said, and that's fine, because I said it. I don't think flippers are practical knives.

I have large hands. I typically wear XL gloves or larger. Positioning my hand to push on a flipper tab is not practical to me. I've tried different shapes and sizes, with and without gloves, and they are impractical. I carry my knives tip up, so when I reach into my pocket, my hand is where it needs to be to deploy the blade. It's not about speed, it's about less steps to deploy the blade. With flippers, I have to pull the knife out, reposition my hand and index finger on the flipper, then deploy the blade. Not all flippers flip the same, and not all flippers have thumb studs/holes/discs. So if the blade doesn't deploy 100%, there is nowhere for me to push with my thumb. I've had this happen many times in the past. There are thousands of threads on here, asking how to flip a flipper, because some people just can't do it. There are techniques to opening a flipper... Don't deny it. That's not practical.

What is practical, is reaching into your pocket and being able to easily (not quickly) deploy the knife.

Flippers are for fun and showing off. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast. You don't need bearings for ultra fast deployment in a practical knife. If you don't agree with me, then why do people complain that some knives don't flip well?

Edit -

The fact that I even bothered explaining my opinion to all of you, makes my head hurt.

I've PM'd the few of you that wanted to argue, and I have yet to receive a response...
 
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Dave, you summed up the whole thread. The reasons you brought up are valid. All points covered basically, even the technique part is true. I also think they add fun to opening for the many of us who dig flippers.
 
Anything with bearings coming out these days seems to flip very well indeed, as for someone not being able to master flipping, they just need to practice. I've handed so many one handed opening folders to people at work, after they watch me open them and none can manage to get the blades open with one hand. What seems effortless to me, seems impossible to them. The ones I've taught to open knives one handed have learned the flippers with ease. So, at least in my experience complete novices do better with flippers. It's easy enough to see why, when with a great flipping folder all you need to learn is how to hold the knife and how to light-switch the flipper. Once they have that down they are flipping right along.
 
I'm not starting to hate them since I never liked them to begin with.


Haven't read any of the thread. Just replying to the OP's question.
 
DAVE_M said:
A lot of people are disagreeing with what I said, and that's fine, because I said it. I don't think flippers are practical knives.

I have large hands. I typically wear XL gloves or larger. Positioning my hand to push on a flipper tab is not practical to me. I've tried different shapes and sizes, with and without gloves, and they are impractical. I carry my knives tip up, so when I reach into my pocket, my hand is where it needs to be to deploy the blade. It's not about speed, it's about less steps to deploy the blade. With flippers, I have to pull the knife out, reposition my hand and index finger on the flipper, then deploy the blade. Not all flippers flip the same, and not all flippers have thumb studs/holes/discs. So if the blade doesn't deploy 100%, there is nowhere for me to push with my thumb. I've had this happen many times in the past. There are thousands of threads on here, asking how to flip a flipper, because some people just can't do it. There are techniques to opening a flipper... Don't deny it. That's not practical.
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So...there is no technique with a thumb stud? A hole? You literally just said not all flippers are made the same. But all knives with studs or holes are? You can't possibly think that is true, because factually it isn't. I have had trouble opening certain knives with every single type of opening method. It is much more about the knife than the opening method.

Again, you are taking your opinion and applying it to everyone's experience which simply is not correct.

DAVE_M said:
What is practical, is reaching into your pocket and being able to easily (not quickly) deploy the knife.
Click to expand...

Further, sometimes reaching in to your pocket is not that simple. You are applying your experience to the way you think everyone experiences the world.

Have a different opinion all day long if you want. That is fine and no one can argue with that. But tell us all what we should think and that is where the problem is.
 
craytab said:
So...there is no technique with a thumb stud? A hole? You literally just said not all flippers are made the same. But all knives with studs or holes are? You can't possibly think that is true, because factually it isn't. I have had trouble opening certain knives with every single type of opening method. It is much more about the knife than the opening method.

Again, you are taking your opinion and applying it to everyone's experience which simply is not correct.



Further, sometimes reaching in to your pocket is not that simple. You are applying your experience to the way you think everyone experiences the world.

Have a different opinion all day long if you want. That is fine and no one can argue with that. But tell us all what we should think and that is where the problem is.
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Picard-Facepalm.jpg


Let me break it down:

I like flippers.
I own flippers.
I said flippers are not practical.
Everyone has a problem with my opinion.

I'm done.
 
Dave, I am totally fine with your opinion :)

I do find that (in particular on smaller knives) the flipper may be getting in the way if it protrudes too far from the cutting edge. On the other hand it may serve as finger guard.
 
I love flippers when they are new. After about a year, they're super gunky from pocket lint and other stuff.

Opening a knife will void warranty. Even if so, I tried opening my flippers and it's a HUGE pain to reassemble. My spyderco flipper took over 45 minutes to assemble and I'm not even sure the bearings are properly seated.
 
Ken44 said:
How about this...
wtf-shark-knife.jpg

:p
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You settle down, Ken! All fun and games until someone pulls out the ol' shark knife... :D

Seriously though, I'm not sick of flippers because I only own one specimen. I don't hate 'em; I'm not especially fond of them either. Lots of different options to be had... and I do loves me some options! :thumbup:

-Brett
 
DAVE_M said:
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.
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Bahahahaha! ^^^^^^ low point of the year so far....

I laughed so hard at this I almost forgot that if Chris Reeve doesn't make it, it's useless...

This thread is purely opinion based. There are no 'facts' here, just personal preference to the way a folding knife can be opened.
There is no 'better' way, just a better way for YOU.....
 
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