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

Edw00d said:
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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I've tried it a few times trying to extrapolate where the blade would go if the flipper wasn't there and it seems that the very root of the edge would hit your thumb. However the way that you disengage the frame lock makes it so that it will most likely hit your thumbnail and not the fleshy parts. Further, I've only had the problem of the blade closing on my thumb on knives with particularly large detent bearings where a substantial amount of pressure is needed to over come the detent. One such knife is the Spyderco Tenacious. Got myself a pretty nasty Spyder-bite once from it.
 
aznpos531 said:
I've tried it a few times trying to extrapolate where the blade would go if the flipper wasn't there and it seems that the very root of the edge would hit your thumb. However the way that you disengage the frame lock makes it so that it will most likely hit your thumbnail and not the fleshy parts. Further, I've only had the problem of the blade closing on my thumb on knives with particularly large detent bearings where a substantial amount of pressure is needed to over come the detent. One such knife is the Spyderco Tenacious. Got myself a pretty nasty Spyder-bite once from it.
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Hrm. Yeah. It does seem that the thumbnail would get the brunt of an accidental strike when closing the blade when unlocking.

But if for some reason of lock failure although highly unlikely, the flipper guard would protect against closing on the index finger.
 
The flipper use becomes an unconscious reaction/use thing. I never thought I would like or use them. I got the ZT 0551 and put it up for sale because of no flipper. The only other folding knives I have around anymore are XM18 flippers and knives with Spyderco holes. Well that isnt true I guess my sebenza doesnt have either. But that is different anyways...
 
I'm slowly getting used to the flipper but I'm seriously considering selling it and getting a 3.5" non-flipper instead or maybe even a custom.
 
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I have the flipper version, but only because that was the trade offer. As I mentioned before, I love the flipper as a guard/larger choil and something to grip onto with the index finger, really astounding control. But it does affect "closing speed/ease". I have to consciously actuate the lock, close the blade a half inch (flipper normally hits thumb) then adjust grip and close it all the way. With out a flipper it could be one easy motion like my other Ti framlocks. Not an issue and I would say the benefits outweigh the negatives by a good amount. I would still like to try the non flipper though. I think I will just end up trying to get a 551 or 550
 
aznpos531 said:
I'm slowly getting used to the flipper but I'm seriously considering selling it and getting a 3.5" non-flipper instead or maybe even a custom.
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Get the non flipper and keep the flipper or send it to me for proper disposal.

mdc5162 said:
I have the flipper version, but only because that was the trade offer. As I mentioned before, I love the flipper as a guard/larger choil and something to grip onto with the index finger, really astounding control. But it does affect "closing speed/ease". I have to consciously actuate the lock, close the blade a half inch (flipper normally hits thumb) then adjust grip and close it all the way. With out a flipper it could be one easy motion like my other Ti framlocks. Not an issue and I would say the benefits outweigh the negatives by a good amount. I would still like to try the non flipper though. I think I will just end up trying to get a 551 or 550
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I can get a 0551 out to you for the pain in the neck XM-18 flipper right away man!

ZippoThisKnifeThat said:
The Sickness. :D
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You can see the progression, they have the sickness and no Doctor can spot it, only fellow knifenuts. Slowly embracing their fate.....:D
 
I've been thinking about which one I want to get and I STILL can't decide which one I want. Maybe if I get the flipper and use the thumb studs more, then I'll know what to trade for.

I just have a feeling if I carry the flipper tip down it could come open in my pocket (it happened once with a TR3, not fun at all).
 
I own both. People seem to love the flippers but I much prefer the non-flipper version. For me, the biggest issue is the flipper tab protruding from the knife while it is resting in my pocket in the closed position. You wouldn't think a little thing like that would get in the way but if you reach into your pocket around the knife to try to get something, trust me, you'll know it's there.

Also, I may be the weird one here but I don't get the whole flipping craze either. I would just rather use the thumbstuds myself. You can flick it open just as quickly that way. Maybe quicker cause you don't have to adjust your grip.

And lastly, the flipper tab also limits your hand position on the grip when open. The non-flipper is free of such constraints.

Take what I've written with a grain of salt. These are just my opinions based on my personal experience. It is obvious some feel quite the opposite from me and love the flipper.
 
I bought a new 3" flipper last year. I didn't like the weight of the blade once in hand and only being able to hold more towards the rear of the knife because of the flipper. Just felt unbalanced or something. Also the flipping action didn't work for me - opening or closing. I sold it for what I paid very soon after buying it. Some day I'd like to try a 3" non-flipper with slicer grind.
 
kadinh said:
I just have a feeling if I carry the flipper tip down it could come open in my pocket (it happened once with a TR3, not fun at all).
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I don't see how this could be an issue with an XM. If you carry tip down, the spine of the blade is pressed against the back seam of the pocket. It has nowhere to go even if it did defeat the detent somehow; which again is highly unlikely if not almost impossible since that would be dependent on the pressure you yourself exert on the flipper tab.

Even if it did come open, the sharp part of the blade is mostly blocked by the body of the knife, thereby protecting your hand if you were to reach in your pocket. I suppose the tip could stab you if you were to sit but I don't know how likely that would be either. I imagine if it was a common thing we would hear about it a lot more.

I've had it happen with knives that were self opening or assisted, but not with an XM. I'm not saying it can't or hasn't happened but It's not something I worry about.

Tip up is another story. Again not something to stress over but it is something to keep in the back of your mind because there is a little more potential for something to go wrong. But if you practice common sense you shouldn't have any problems.
 
Good to know :)

I never thought I would have a knife come open in my pocket either, but it happened. But not something I constantly worry about now anyways.

I have handled the non flipper version in a passaround here and loved it; I think it was a gen 1. Ever since then, I have wanted to try the flipper. I think my mind is made up to get the flipper version. Now if I could only decide on the blade and lock side finish and scale color.

Thanks guys.
 
My 2 cents - flipper is the greatest thing since sliced bread. The more you use it the easier and more natural it will feel.
 
It's funny how these things happen but a guy on another forum just posted a picture of his pants with the blade of an XM-24 sticking right through the cloth, out of the side of the pocket; after the flipper tab got caught on something and deployed the blade. It does appear to have been a freak occurrence, and he was carrying in his back pocket; but it just goes to show you can never be sure. . . :foot::
 
XM-18 Flipper dilemma , ever since I started looking into XM-18 . I have been thinking about flipper vs non-flipper . I could not figure out clearly which one I like better .
I hope we can have more discussions here to help newbie like me & others .
 
FYI - i have been reading about the stronger detent on the Gen 4 production knives. many have said that the previous Gens have had weaker detents, and having the knife blade come open by accident. they say that the Gen 4 fixes this "problem" and that they flip a little better.


FWIW, if i get an XM, i would go for the flipper version myself. given the stronger detent in the Gen 4, i think it would be a hands down decision for me.
 
I have an XM-24, and i love the flipper. I think i would like a non flipper also:)

If the XM's DIDN't open good with the thumbstuds, than a flipper would be a must. I'm still amazed everytime i use the thumbstud at how easy it flicks open
 
BP Green said:
It's funny how these things happen but a guy on another forum just posted a picture of his pants with the blade of an XM-24 sticking right through the cloth, out of the side of the pocket; after the flipper tab got caught on something and deployed the blade. It does appear to have been a freak occurrence, and he was carrying in his back pocket; but it just goes to show you can never be sure. . . :foot::
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Tighten the pivot or risk getting stuck in the leg or worse in the sack or arteries down in the groin area - it's really no different from any other folder. I believe you have to use your head, respect the blade and understand all of the "what-ifs" connected with your choice of EDC. No different than carrying a side arm.

My XM-18 turned & got tangled the same way a few times and upon pulling the lanyard the knife caught on something and waved open - 3 times in one week! :eek: (at least I could feel it happening and froze, until I got it untangled) I tightened the pivot last week and the problem is solved. :thumbup:

Flippers all the way for me anyway - finger/hand guard and another deployment option. Works well in gloved hands. :D
 
After having handled all three sizes, I would probably say that the 3" XM-18 is preferred in non-flipper and the 3.5" XM-18 and XM-24 are preferred with flipper. The margin is quite slim though on these preferences and I wouldn't balk at the opposite selection.

Regards,

Rich
 
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