To flip or not to flip

C

Carlos88

Gold Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2023
Messages
217
Flippers just leave me cold. I've seen my share of beautiful, well built, top tier steel knives (just like you have).

Then I see that thingee sticking out and I let out a noticeable groan. Yes, I have bought several. Regular flippers, front flippers, etc. and I immediately try to figure out if it can be converted to thumbstuds (double cuz one is out of whack). That happens right before I return them.

Sooooo, what say you?

P.S. No flames intended. Now......bombs away! 💣💣💣
 
My theory is that they're kind of a fad. They'll never fall completely out of favor, but I think a lot of their current popularity can be attributed to the years and years of mediocre flippers that wouldn't open without a wrist flick (remember when the Kershaw Skyline was the most popular flipper?). At that time, the only flippers that opened smoothly and reliably were customs that went into the thousands of dollars. Once ball bearings became available in production knives and high end Chinese makers figured out how to produce an equivalent action, everyone wanted to get in on what they couldn't have for years. Companies learned that flippers sell and adjusted their product lines accordingly.

I don't mind having a few in my collection but I like to have a secondary opening method if possible. Flippers are the least reliable opening method IMO, especially in high stress situations.
 
I think the opening method is a function of the design and aesthetics more so than a personal preference for me. Some knives are better as flippers.. others are better with thumbstuds. Case in point: The benchmade bugout is a great thumb stud knife. The ZT452 wouldn’t seem right having a thumbstud.
 
Flippers are my least favorite of opening mechanisms, however I still F with them. I do however buy flippers now and again when it's a design I really like that only comes that way. However I'm also always fantasizing about ways that I could drill a hole in the blade and put a thumbstud in. My thing with flippers is most tend to get in the way of my grip when the blade's open. I almost always feel like I could have a longer grip instead of that flipper there, or I could have a small finger choil instead of the flipper. The Lee William's Kickstop flipper mechanism is by far my favorite flipper because it get's out of the way of the grip when open. Plus it's super cool how he designed it and created a huge mechanical advantage. Some traditional flippers are able to pull it off without getting too in the way. Some of my favorite flippers have multiple opening methods. Like flipper plus thumbstuds, or flipper plus big fuller. I'm playing with a Twosun integral Ti framelock right now that has a flipper, a front flipper, and a big fuller on each side that you can spydieflick or thumbflick.
 
Agreed, flippers are totally gross. 🥸

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All joking aside, I prefer reverse flicking to flipping, but flipping can be even easier under certain conditions. Thumb studs are probably the trickiest means of deployment, often they just don't have enough traction to open easily.
 
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eh take it or leave it. i dont see myself buying a knife just because it has a flipper tab or not buying a knife because if it. I did have a few kizer feists at one point and would love to try a shamwari even just the production model, but due to flippers and scalpers, i doubt ill ever get my hands on one. Im more partial to a front flipper than the ones with that tab. Also a lot of those flipper style folders tend to be more overbuilt than necessary. I still have my liong mah warrior 2 V.2 and at the time I was really into that style of knife. Once I got it, never touched it after a few opens, the novelty wore off quick.
 
How to make a post in a thread I feel strongly about without voicing a direct opinion hmm --
I personally don't understand the need to fidget and think the flipping feature allows for just that. Unless one anticipates violence or danger I see no real reason to flip, or flick for that matter
 
Clean a fish or animal and see how gunky with the funky the pivot gets after closing the knife. You know, safety. Then try flipping it again.

If the blade won't deploy all the way or it's practically glued in. You can grip it with slimy, nasty fingers. Hoping like hell you don't slip and catch the edge. Things have to get done.

If only you had another option. Something you can push or pull. Something that's not near the edge. Something that'll work with dry or wet hands. Something with a positive grip to the finger or thumb.
 
Never liked them until I got into Shirogorov. It’s so well executed and the tab isn’t obnoxious like some I’ve seen. Also creates a cleaner blade profile for sharpening and doesn’t get in the way of cutting. I still love well done studs and spydie holes. All comes down to execution

IMG_1686.jpeg
 
Carlos88 said:
Flippers just leave me cold. I've seen my share of beautiful, well built, top tier steel knives (just like you have).

Then I see that thingee sticking out and I let out a noticeable groan. Yes, I have bought several. Regular flippers, front flippers, etc. and I immediately try to figure out if it can be converted to thumbstuds (double cuz one is out of whack). That happens right before I return them.

Sooooo, what say you?

P.S. No flames intended. Now......bombs away! 💣💣💣
Click to expand...
There’s ALWAYS got to be SOMETHING sticking out, it’s just a matter of making it unobtrusive.

Thumb studs just stick out in another direction. Holes make the whole back of the blade stick out a bit, or take a cut out of the handle.

Nail nicks and autos with recessed buttons are the least obtrusive.

I’ve got a Benchmade Arcane on the way back from HQ that has a VERY unobtrusive flipper; check it out.

I figure as long as it doesn’t scrape my hand or get in the way some other way, there’s no harm.

Last thing: a flipper tab on the back of the knife (as well as opening holes) never gets in the way of through cuts. Getting in the way of cutting (Like thumbs studs often do) is a cardinal sin on a knife. I have a few thumb stud knives, but I make damn sure the stud is far enough back not to lose any edge on through cuts.
 
I prefer to flip. In general I just find it an easier one-handed opening style. My thumb has issues with a lot of thumb stud folders, unless they’re assisted, which then brings in its own set of potential issues if it’s not done right. Even many of the ‘budget’ flippers have pretty nice action. I don’t mind the flipper tab at all. In fact in some cases they’re worked very nicely into the design of the knife. The Kershaw Leeks, for instance.
 
TL;DR: I should probably get a tri way 3" XM-18.

I have a Ruike Hussar Ti on ball bearings, a Boker urban trapper on ball bearings and the Steel Will small Cutjack on PB washers, and I like them, but they made me realize I don't like ball bearings.. I use the Ruike to test anodization and blade profiling, polishing and stuff like that. The Cutjack lives in the workshop and I enjoy its action and how it fits in my hand - I like it, yet I never carry it. Just too many fancier folders in this size range in the collection.
After a disassembly, the Urban trapper detent changed from ideal to strong, so I stopped carrying it and it lives on my desk opening envelopes.

So, I think I should get a Cutjack-like knife also on phosphor bronze washers, with the same ergos, better build, better steel and better materials.
 
Grasshopperglock said:
Clean a fish or animal and see how gunky with the funky the pivot gets after closing the knife. You know, safety. Then try flipping it again.

If the blade won't deploy all the way or it's practically glued in. You can grip it with slimy, nasty fingers. Hoping like hell you don't slip and catch the edge. Things have to get done.

If only you had another option. Something you can push or pull. Something that's not near the edge. Something that'll work with dry or wet hands. Something with a positive grip to the finger or thumb.
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Fixed....blades..?
 
ShaiHulud said:
Fixed....blades..?
Click to expand...

Ever notice, more modern fish fillet knives have a sheath that can be cleaned out? Either a skeleton type or extra round. Case in point, the Mora fishing series for their longer knives. Scaler(stiff blade) or the fillet(flexible blade). They're meant to be able to be cleaned.

So you can either get funk in a pivot or inside a sheath. Both still require a wash.

Lets example mud. Say you drop the knife(like I have and do), end up stepping on it and really getting a good mud pack in the knife. Which would work better? Flip or thumb stud?
 
Carlos88 said:
Flippers just leave me cold. I've seen my share of beautiful, well built, top tier steel knives (just like you have).

Then I see that thingee sticking out and I let out a noticeable groan. Yes, I have bought several. Regular flippers, front flippers, etc. and I immediately try to figure out if it can be converted to thumbstuds (double cuz one is out of whack). That happens right before I return them.

Sooooo, what say you?

P.S. No flames intended. Now......bombs away! 💣💣💣
Click to expand...
Flippers seem to appeal to Gen Zers, who like the fidget factor. I won't own one (I'm old). I much prefer thumb studs, holes, or grooves on the blade. Fortunately, most makers offer flipper delete options.
 
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