To flip or not to flip, the question

XM-18: Flipper or non-flipper?

  • Flipper

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Non-Flipper

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
  • Poll closed .
DallasSTB

DallasSTB

Gold Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2009
Messages
3,250
It seems that there should be a large enough population of owners present now to get some good opinions on the matter. With these knives currently commanding a premium in the market, buying both isn't a option for me right now. SO, if you could only have ONE style, what do owners of BOTH styles of knives (flipper and non-flippers) recommend - and why. I'll like to see the real-world pro's and con's of each.

Thanks in advance to all you lucky bastiges.:p

-Steve
 
I think the 3.5 and that heavier blade deserves the flipper..
Chances are you may be using it for heavier duty tasks and the flipper acting as a guard is nice to have.

The 3 can go either way..

I have both sizes and decided to flip on both.
 
This is a tough one! I have owned a few 3.5" XM-18's in flippers and non flippers. The flipper is nice because it gives you the guard and also prevents closing on your hand when you unlock the knife. But IMO the XM is actually not a great flipping knife. The blade is heavy and needs a bit of wrist action in combination with the flipper to fully open. I actually open my flipper XM-18 using mostly the thumbstud :)

If you know how to open a knife with the thumbstud flick then the non flipper fires easier than the flipper model because the blade is lighter. Also the choil is more usable for choking up on the non flipper.

So there are pro's and con's to each. For me the pro of the flipper is the added safety, but I like how the non flipper feels in my hand better. When I pared down my collection I only kept the flippers though because I like having the added safety of how the knife just locks in your grip and no chance of slipping up onto the blade.

Not sure if that helps at all!
 
Biginboca said:
If you know how to open a knife with the thumbstud flick then the non flipper fires easier than the flipper model because the blade is lighter. Also the choil is more usable for choking up on the non flipper....Not sure if that helps at all!
Click to expand...

It does, and thanks to everyone responding. In my over-analytical world, more information is better - especially from real world users.

I'm very familiar and decently competent with firing a thumbstud quickly. IMO this isn't really a "quick-draw" kind of knife so a thumbstud probably serves just fine. BUT the "Flipper" category in the poll is way ahead. Go figure.

Much appreciation for all the comments. Please continue!
 
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I only have 3.5" flippers and a 3" non-flipper, so I can't compare every variant of the XM-18, but the 3.5" flipper fits my hand just right and the flipper provides a nice handguard when the knife is deployed,,,

The 3" non-flipper deploys readily using the thumbstud and sits comfy in the hand,,,

My only gripe with the flipper version is that in the beginning I had to get used to getting my thumb out of the way faster then normal when closing the blade,,, 'cause it would get caught between the flipper and the handle,,, a painful experience, but on the other hand it's better then having the blade come down on your thumb I guess,,, an added safety feature,,,

Now I'm used to it and it doesn't happen any more,,,
 
I just got my first XM-18, a Non-Flipper 3 1/2". I read this thread and decided to get the Non-Flipper as my first XM.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=749032
It helped answer alot of the questions I had and what people prefered. I am a Huge CRK fan and am very used to opening the sebenza and umnumzaan with a thumbstud, that I opted for a Non-Flipper XM as my first. I currently have a 3 1/2" flipper in the mail and it will be here tomorrow or saturday. To me, the flipper looks cool, but I like it more as a guard so during heavy duty cutting chores, it helps keep your hand in place and from sliding up onto the blade. I must add that the XM Non-Flipper is nicely contoured and the scales are nice and grippy that it doesnt move in your hand either. The flipper just adds extra protection is all. Cant wait to get both in hand and compare. I will post more of my thoughts when I get both side by side.
 
I prefer the non-flipper. The flipper gets in the way in my pocket and I can't get used to opening a knife that way. I guess you could say I'm 'old school' so I'll stick with the thumbstud for now...
 
I've handled both.I wound up with a 3.5" flipper.Even though I usually use the thumb-studs(about 75% of the time) to open it,I like the guard the flipper provides,as others have already stated.

Flipper all the way for me:thumbup:
 
I have finally made up my mind and I think i'm going to go for the XM-18 3 1/2 flipper. I like the flipper added some extra security on the grip when deployed for hard cutting. Please the flipper is just damn cool (well I got to keep it real!). Now I just have to save up the funds and buy one.
 
It appears that, even though the poll is about 2:1 in favor of flippers, SIZE does matter! Unless I'm interpreting this all wrong, the majority of current owners favor flippers for 3.5" models, and non-flippers for 3" models. Interesting. At MSRP, I think BOTH might be in order, but as it is - this is still something to consider. Thanks all, and if there are any owners left who haven't responded, I'd still like to hear your experiences. Especially Nyefmaker, who I know to be fellow CR buff, and thus pretty familiar with top-tier quality in general.

Take care
 
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