Need info on 'Flipper'

L

Les Voorhies

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I've seen quite a few of these knives with 'flippers' and I thought i'd like to make one but i have a few questions. A dealer at the Chicago AEKC show showed me one that you could hold horizontal or even straight up and the flipper would open it all the way, but is this whats expected of a flipper knife? or is it good enough for the flipper to start the blade moving then use a flick of the wrist to finish. The one he showed me had a bearing but i guess thats not what most of them have.

Can someone explain what is normaly expected of a flipper knife, and is there a better name than 'flipper knife' for them? :o

Les
 
I think most you flip it to get it moving and then a flip of the wrist finishes the movement. There are some production knives that are assisted openers and have a spring to help open and the flipper starts the motion while the spring finishes it (camillus dominator comes to mind). Not sure there is a common name but flipper seems to convey the image well...

Ryan
 
The one I saw at the show was not spring assisted, i think it was just very free. anyway, i'm putting this one away until i get more info.

Thanks
 
The flipper should be able to fully open the blade with a flip of your finger. The action has to be smooth to accomplish this. I call my version a finger flicker. It doesent have the semi guard sticking out the top. If you need any more info contact me at sfbreed@yahoo.com. :cool:
 
E-mail sent.

I said i was going to put it away for now but of coarse i couldnt leave it alone. I'm pretty sure this knife will never open all the way with just the flipper but after putting in the detent ball it works pretty good with the flipper and a flick of the wrist. To me the flipper seems too long (its about a 1/2") but it seems like its not long enough to give the blade a good push. My folders are always very smooth when they are finished but not until the final finish is done on the blade and liners. It seems like i need a bearing, I have some bearings from Sheffeild but they ar .093 and i wanted to use .125 on this blade so it had a little more weight to help it swing out. Anyone know where to get bearings this size?

Thanks

Les
 
Though I don't know for sure if they have the bearing you want, the first place that came to mind is Small Parts Inc. Here's their bearing page, so you can check it out. I used to get their catalog, and they offer a mind boggling array of materials, parts, and equipment for small & detailed machinery.
 
Les Voorhies said:
E-mail sent.

I said i was going to put it away for now but of coarse i couldnt leave it alone. I'm pretty sure this knife will never open all the way with just the flipper but after putting in the detent ball it works pretty good with the flipper and a flick of the wrist. To me the flipper seems too long (its about a 1/2") but it seems like its not long enough to give the blade a good push. My folders are always very smooth when they are finished but not until the final finish is done on the blade and liners. It seems like i need a bearing, I have some bearings from Sheffeild but they ar .093 and i wanted to use .125 on this blade so it had a little more weight to help it swing out. Anyone know where to get bearings this size?

Thanks

Les
Click to expand...
If you get the flipper too long, it cuts down the speed the blade is rotated out, as your finger has to move farther in an arc, rather than a short, fast flip.
Horizontal is the way to hold it...
Maybe Kit might know something about these things... ;)
 
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