Is "flicking" bad?

D

dizos

Joined
Nov 22, 2002
Messages
385
I am a happy new owner of a large Sebenza. Great knife.

Is it bad to lightly flick the blade open after starting it out with the thumbstud?

Thanks

Dizos
 
In a word, yes, flicking is bad. There's a longish article on the subject by Alan Elishawitz in the current issue of Knives Illustrated magazine (just arrived last week). I remember this question being raised earlier on the forum, and the perspective from CRK was that flicking constitutes abuse.
 
I agree with Russ, and seem to recall Chris or Anne R. specifically saying it was a bad practice. One effect over time is that the impact between the stop pin and base of the blade will eventually deform the two, and result in a less tight fit and blade play.

Some knives seem meant to be flicked open - e.g. Cuda Maxx, etc. but I would hesitate to do this practice on any manual knife.
 
Thanks for the replies. I should have done a search before asking the question. This issue has been discussed quite a bit.

-- Dizos
 
Autos are made "beefier" and designed to take the impact. They have different types of locks. Darrel Ralph told me this. They are more complicated to make and have to be rebuilt more frequently than manual folders. Even on autos the impact takes a toll. Ocasionally flicking your Sebenza probably won't hurt it. In fact I think that I read that after disassembling and cleanibg the Sebenza, you are supossed to flick it open once to properly seat the blade. My small Sebenzas are very difficult to flick. I'm not sure why you would want to flick one open except maybe in an emergency and even then I would think that you would risk losing your grip on the knife.
 
Thanks for the explanation Scott, it makes perfect sense what you said. I do not flick open my Sebenza though because the thumb stud placement is very convinient. There are folders whose thumb studs are located in 'difficult' area that makes it very difficult to open them without flicking it. For example, I've always been having difficulties in opening a folder with disc (instead of thumb stud). I find that Microtech LCC is one of them. Now, everybody's finger's flexibility is different, and perhaps mine is not the most flexible. That's why I find it pretty hard to open, and also the tip of my ring finger is wounded. It's a bit impossible for me to hold the knife properly.

:)
 
Yes, flicking is bad. You have no knowledge where the nasty little morsel will land. It is preferred that you wipe the offending item on someone or something unimportant. Of course, there's always the implementation of a kleenex.








oh wait.............you mean knives I see.................. :D
 
ok, so flicking is bad. but what about excessive opening and closing of the blade? I find that I often times open/close a folder knife repetitively while I'm watching tv, etc... obviously this will accelerate wear, but to what extent? If I had to make a guess, I'd say I could open/close the blade over 100 times a day without much thought. Would this be considered "bad"?
 
Maybe the best analogy I can use to differentiate between flicking repeatedly and opening-and-closing repeatedly is to use a comparison with a car door. A car door is designed to hold up to opening and closing multiple times a day without losing its solid "ker-thlunk" feel. It is not designed to be yanked opened and smashed shut a gazillion times a day - if it is, then the lock will loosen and the door will rattle. Treated sensibly, a Sebenza will go 200,000 plus miles - if it is flicked repeatedly, the lock area will get damaged.

Does this make sense?
Anne
 
Anne:
Great to see you here posting here. I enjoy your input. There is nothing like getting info (pardon the expression) straight from the horse's mouth. I will be going to Solvang later in April and I am hoping to meet you and I hope that Chris will be there also. It's great to see you posting answers. Even though I have a whole bunch of your knives and keep up on the layest things at CRK, nothing beats hearing from you!:D :cool: ;) :)
 
Flick a Sebbie,

Mine is tight enough that I would have to snap the wrist HARD to flick it open. Smooth as silk, but stiff.

I also agree that it is better to open with the thumbstud to maitain control of the knife.

BTW, If you look at the better autos the stopping bar is built in contact with the frame to provide additional support and strenght.
 
Flick your Bic, fire your auto, but treat your Sebbie like the car door to old Betsy, the family sedan, er pick-up truck.

:)
 
There is a good article by Allen Elishewitz on page 32 of the June issue of Knives Illustrated. Reader's Digest condensed version, don't do it. :)
 
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