To flipper or not to flipper...that is the question.

aznpos531

aznpos531

I like sharp and pointy things...
Joined
Dec 12, 2010
Messages
1,176
So I finally pulled the trigger on an XM-18 and I expect to get it some time this week. :D

It's of the flipper variety and while I have nothing against flipper designs, the location of the flipper (in the open position) is in between the last choil on the handle and the choil on the blade. So my question to you, do you find that the flipper gets in the way? I suppose I'm thinking more along the lines of choking up on the blade as opposed to your regular grip with your index finger behind the flipper, which in that case, would act as a guard. When choking up, I imagine the flipper to be between the index and middle fingers. Does this make it uncomfortable?

Thanks in advance! :)
 
i recently got a flipper as well, i love it. it doesnt bother me when i choke up. but i have heard other people say it kinda gets in the way. its probably on preferrance, i dont mind tradeing a little bit of blade control while cutting for the ease of opening with the flipper any day. let us know what you think when ya get it .

luke
 
I don't have a non-flipper to compare, but I find no problem in putting my index finger on the flipper when I choke up on it. Love the flipper!
 
aznpos531 said:
So I finally pulled the trigger on an XM-18 and I expect to get it some time this week. :D

It's of the flipper variety and while I have nothing against flipper designs, the location of the flipper (in the open position) is in between the last choil on the handle and the choil on the blade. So my question to you, do you find that the flipper gets in the way? I suppose I'm thinking more along the lines of choking up on the blade as opposed to your regular grip with your index finger behind the flipper, which in that case, would act as a guard. When choking up, I imagine the flipper to be between the index and middle fingers. Does this make it uncomfortable?

Thanks in advance! :)
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No, not at all.. The forefinger fits comfortably behind the flipper or in front of it. Rick made one heckuva knife!
 
Flippers seem to be hotter on the exchange in my opinion. No official data, just an observation. I have two non-flippers, work great.
 
I eventually found I prefer the flipper when using the choil because it allows you to pull back against it kind of like a trigger. When I use another knife or even the flipper XM-18 and I am using the standard pinch it is a little less prone to wobbling. It may sound questionable and I did not expect it before owning one but for me it is enough to notice when using a tight grip.
 
Shanklick said:
I eventually found I prefer the flipper when using the choil because it allows you to pull back against it kind of like a trigger. When I use another knife or even the flipper XM-18 and I am using the standard pinch it is a little less prone to wobbling. It may sound questionable and I did not expect it before owning one but for me it is enough to notice when using a tight grip.
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Exactly this, I feel like I have immense control over the tip when choked up on my flipper and it is extremely comfortable.

However, I do feel it gets in the way when I am disengaging the lock bar with my thumb and beging to push the blade down with my index finger. The flipper always hits the top of my thumb and although it is not painful or a real problem I do find myself wishing that it wouldnt happen.

I have never held the non flipper version so I cant say if it will be as comfortable to me as the flipper, when acting as a guard it feels like my hand fits like a glove behind it.
 
Shanklick said:
I eventually found I prefer the flipper when using the choil because it allows you to pull back against it kind of like a trigger. When I use another knife or even the flipper XM-18 and I am using the standard pinch it is a little less prone to wobbling. It may sound questionable and I did not expect it before owning one but for me it is enough to notice when using a tight grip.
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That second sentence I wrote came out confusing. I meant the "trigger" pinch was a little less prone to wobbling than the standard. Mostly seems to require less attention to gripping the sides of the handle.
 
I really, really like my 3inch XM18 flipper. The flipper itself has never been a problem. But, I have found that the end of the cutting edge of the blade will nick the index finger when choking up on the choil. Only happened once, and now I am more careful when gripping tight on the choil in a forward motion. It will also nick the inside of the thumb when choking up and pulling the blade toward yourself in the inverse position. Have a Yuna Hard1 on the way - ita a flipper too!!
 
Springadv said:
I really, really like my 3inch XM18 flipper. The flipper itself has never been a problem. But, I have found that the end of the cutting edge of the blade will nick the index finger when choking up on the choil. Only happened once, and now I am more careful when gripping tight on the choil in a forward motion. It will also nick the inside of the thumb when choking up and pulling the blade toward yourself in the inverse position. Have a Yuna Hard1 on the way - ita a flipper too!!
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Congrats on your new knife. You wouldn't have that finger biting experieince with a 3.5" flipper's finger choil. Everything's scaled down a bit. :)
 
Hmmm...mixed reactions. Thanks for all your input guys! I'm expecting to get the XM some time tomorrow and I am SUPER stoked! I'll let you know what I think when I get a chance to play with it some.
 
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Alright. So I got the knife and I've played with it for a bit. First and foremost I have to say that the 3" XM-18 is a lot smaller than I had expected. Looked a lot bigger in most pictures that I had seen.
As for the flipper, so far I'm not too impressed by it. It certainly isn't in the way nor is it uncomfortable but it doesn't feel like the most efficient way of opening the knife. Even with a nice, strong flick, I still need a significant amount of wrist action to get the blade to lock in place. It feels much faster to deploy the knife with the thumbstud.
That being said, I've only had the knife for a few hours and I may not be used to it yet. I'll post back anything changes.
 
aznpos531 said:
Alright. So I got the knife and I've played with it for a bit. First and foremost I have to say that the 3" XM-18 is a lot smaller than I had expected. Looked a lot bigger in most pictures that I had seen.
As for the flipper, so far I'm not too impressed by it. It certainly isn't in the way nor is it uncomfortable but it doesn't feel like the most efficient way of opening the knife. Even with a nice, strong flick, I still need a significant amount of wrist action to get the blade to lock in place. It feels much faster to deploy the knife with the thumbstud.
That being said, I've only had the knife for a few hours and I may not be used to it yet. I'll post back anything changes.
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Hard to flip? You better get one of these ...lol. It'll loosen up - lube it sparingly and remember that the 3" blade doesn't have the weight as the larger models which enhances it's flipper ease and speed. :D

skd190674sdc_XS.jpg
 
cziv said:
Hard to flip? You better get one of these ...lol. It'll loosen up - lube it sparingly and remember that the 3" blade doesn't have the weight as the larger models which enhances it's flipper ease and speed. :D
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hahaha
It's not hard to flip at all, no. The pivot is set correctly and lubed. I think it's just like you said about the 3" blade not having enough heft. It's just that all the other flipper design knives I own open with the flipper without any wrist action.
I know my next XM-18 will be the 3.5" model! :D
 
I'm just paranoid, but I like the flipper functioning as a guard as well. If you closed the knife and your thumb was still on the lock in the path of the blade, the flipper/guard would protect your thumb, but non-flipper would perform some guillotine action, right? Or does that little cut out where you'd choke up on prevent that either way?
 
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