The Problem with Flippers: Thumb Hot Spots

J

Josh G

Joined
May 7, 2017
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36
I had a ZT 0562CF, and while the craftsmanship was fine, as was the steel, there was a basic problem that is endemic to any flipper, which I couldn't get past: if you have small-to-medium-sized hands, once the knife is open, your thumb sits astride the scales, but since there is nothing between the scales, since that area has to be open for the flipper to move, the scales dig into your thumb. If you have a longer thumb, it can rest on the jimping, but for smaller hands--and maybe even medium-sized hands--this can't be done naturally or comfortably. This is really a bummer. I really wanted to like that knife. Anyone else have this issue with the ZT 0562CF or any other flipper?
 
I've never really noticed this problem. Wouldn't you experience the same discomfort with any knife that didn't have a full backspacer? Are you primarily used to back lock knives?
 
Obviously everyone uses a grip that works best for them.

Maybe you could try resting your thumb to the side of the scale rather than on top? Many modern knives these days are "flow through" designs which means even if they aren't flippers there is a space along the spine between the two scales which is spanned by standoffs or a backspacer.

Personally I don't find myself pressing down that hard with my thumb in this area in general but everyone uses knives differently.
 
Lapedog: I think it would be awkward to hold the knife without the thumb on top, but it's something to think about if I order it again.

Hackenslash: I do love me a back lock! I have a Manix 2 back lock, and though it's chunky, I like it MUCH better than the Manix 2 with the ball bearing lock.
 
It depends what cutting you are doing I guess. Is it not possible to choke up on the handle abit so you can get your thumb onto the back of the blade. The grip I meant without your thumb on the back was a kind of "hammer grip" or "gorilla grip" or even a sabre grip.

There is "modified" filipino grip in which you run your thumb along the side of the knife instead of placing it on the back.
 
I carried a ZT 0200 everyday since 2007. Now I carry a ZT 0909. Once open I have no comfort issues when handling a flipper style knife in any grip, and I have average sized hands at best.
Edit: I just got a ZT 0566, and its the same....no discomfort. Maybe I'm missing something, or confused, or you just have tiny hands?
 
scottyj said:
I carried a ZT 0200 everyday since 2007. Now I carry a ZT 0909. Once open I have no comfort issues when handling a flipper style knife in any grip, and I have average sized hands at best.
Edit: I just got a ZT 0566, and its the same....no discomfort. Maybe I'm missing something, or confused, or you just have tiny hands?
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Seems he is complaining about the open-backed nature of the knife bugging his thumb.
Which has nothing to do with flippers at all.
He wouldn't like most AXIS lock knives either, or indeed, the majority of folding knives one can buy.

He should just buy lock-back and Tri-Ad lock knives for locking folders.
He'd also be fine with traditional slip-joint knives.
 
I was not really familiar with how the flipper action worked, bought a ZT 0456 and made the mistake of not flipping hard enough to fully open the knife, then made another bigger mistake when having my thumb across knifes body and then having the blade snap into my thumb making a nice slash in my thumb.
I sure wont make those mistakes again.
 
Stabman: It does, indeed, have something to do with flippers. I don't have this problem with my Spyderco knives or with my ESEE knives. It's not exclusive to flippers, but flippers make it impossible to not have this problem, since you must have that open space in the back in order for the knife to flip. Yes, some other knife styles will have this problem, too, I realize.

Jill: My hands are not exactly those of a veal, but no, I'm not a farmer. There's a difference between pain and discomfort. I'm not complaining about pain; I'm saying that it's uncomfortable. Someone punching you in the face: pain. A tiny human poking you in the calf and saying, "Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!": uncomfortable. For a knife that expensive, I'd like it to be comfortable; I'd rather not have to McGyver myself for the knife.
 
I haven't found that at all.
We just aren't understanding you well then. I have plenty of flippers. 2 with me now, Brous Bionic and a Kershaw Link.
I flip each one open, put my thumb on top of that open space, and put lots of pressure down with my thumb.
Don't feel anything.
Maybe a pic of what you mean??
Joe
 
I have the exact same knife, many others with open backs. None of them are in the least uncomfortable no matter how I grip them.
 
I guess it's just me. Shrug. You guys are pretty convincing; I'm strong considering ordering the knife again.
 
palonej said:
I haven't found that at all.
We just aren't understanding you well then. I have plenty of flippers. 2 with me now, Brous Bionic and a Kershaw Link.
I flip each one open, put my thumb on top of that open space, and put lots of pressure down with my thumb.
Don't feel anything.
Maybe a pic of what you mean??
Joe
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Can you feel your thumb in general though? Pain wise.

I've never noticed this myself, but anything short of burning it or smashing it with a hammer I don't normally feel anyway. Mine have been cut, smashed, bit, stung, pinched, etc. too many times over the years.
 
T.L.E.: I don't even know where to start with your post. Did someone put a hex on your thumb? Yes, I have normal sensation in my thumb, but I am kind of picky about the way things feel, admittedly. OK, I'm kind of picky in general, but I do think a $220 (now $240) knife should be rather comfortable.
 
I'm not sure how you hold your knives, but I have relatively small hands (medium Mechanix glove) and my thumb sits on the spine of the blade with pretty much any of my open-backed knives, flippers included.
 
Josh G said:
T.L.E.: I don't even know where to start with your post. Did someone put a hex on your thumb? Yes, I have normal sensation in my thumb, but I am kind of picky about the way things feel, admittedly. OK, I'm kind of picky in general, but I do think a $220 (now $240) knife should be rather comfortable.
Click to expand...
I have almost no sense of self preservation. That combined with a life of sports, outdoorsy stuff and manual labor has exposed me to many a flesh wound and blunt force trauma.

Why worry about a finger though? I've got 9 more!
 
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