Thoughts On The Flipper ?

Wolverine666

Wolverine666

Joined
Dec 7, 2009
Messages
6,642
I have never owned a ZT (or any knife) with a Flipper. Looks kinda cool.

How does everyone feel about the Flipper ? Is it noticeably beneficial when opening the blade ?
 
I love flippers. Especially on a knife like the Skyline, where the thumbstuds/blade stops are very hard to get to unless you wanted to sand down the G10.
 
I like flippers on knives that are designed around/for them. If it's an afterthought addition to a knife, it's usually cannon fodder for a marketing strategy. However, if and when a knife has been a "flipper" from day 1, it can be extremely beneficial. A flipper is inherently ambidextrous. A flipper is also easier to find and manipulate than any hole or thumbstud design. If you have any firearms background, a flipper is often a substitute "trigger". There are many advantages of a flipper. There again however, sometimes manual flippers that aren't designed around the flipper...are more trouble than they're worth. All of the KAI flippers I've had contact with have been remarkable. In fact, a knife equipped with a flipper and speedsafe is basically a triggered switchblade instead of a button operated one. If you're looking at getting into a flipper, I would highly recommend a LEEK, it was actually my first KAI knife, and I gave it all kinds of hell and it just kept taking it.
 
I am new (this last year) to flipper knives. I've been a hole in the blade guy for 21 years. I have come to really love the "UN" assisted flipper of my 560 and 0200.
I have a Cryo, and an ZT0350. Not a big fan of assisted knives in general, but I love the design of these two enough to get around my dislike of assisted openers.
That said I have the Cryo II, and the Thermite on pre-order.:indecisiveness:
 
Last edited:
I've only had two non flippers, but I didn't like them because they kinda hurt my thumb. But flippers are so nice, and they are fun to open!
 
I personally love them. A/O or non assisted doesnt matter. I have a few thumbstud knives and I really like them too, however I much more enjoy the deployment of a flipper. I won't buy a certain knife based on this, it's just somehow on most knives I like! There is no denying they are theraputically fun!
 
I love them. The only problem is they are a little addictive as every time a buy a new knife with a flipper I flip and fold for hours on end.
 
Well I'm happy to hear that the majority vote is "for" the Flipper. I'm looking at a ZT0350 and a ZT0700 which are both equipped with Flippers.

Now to decide between the two.
 
Best. Opening. Method. Period. Of course, this is merely an opinion ;)

Seriously, it's a great way to open a knife. Quick, easy, and very ambidextrous. However, some knives do the flipper very poorly. If you're looking at Kershaws though, you can't go wrong (ZT too).
 
I really appreciate being able to carry weak side and not spend 100 hours trying to learn how to open a knife with my off-hand.
 
I currently don't have either the 0350 or 0700, but the 0350 is inbound. The 0350 also seems to be a gateway ZT, once people get it, they want more.
 
Flipper ZT? 0200 Blem from Kershawguy for $95 shipped! Or if you are looking for Kershaw branded, search out an ENER-G. Great slicer and a neat Lee Williams designed flipper.
 
CRKT used to make a Jim Hammond designed manual flipper with a manual liner lock that was smooth as glass:) Unfortunately it is out of production. Apparently they were MSRP'd at around $70, I got mine at Academy in College Station, TX for $25 a year ago. If you do get one, beware the pocket clip and leave it where it is! The holes for the clip screws on mine were improperly/incompletely threaded, making it a right-hand, tip-down carry permanently:( Fellow Lefties beware.
CRKT Hammond Cruiser model # 7914
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top