What Knife-Maker is credited for the flipper?

[EZ Bake]

I searched, but couldn't find - is it Carson?

Would love to know more about its history and who designed/used the first flipper on a folding knife.

 

[kreole]

Good question!

I did not know myself so did a few searches and found this thread http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/168922-Who-invented-the-quot-flipper-quot which is worth reading in its entirety. BF was pretty interesting back around the turn of the century

Les Robertson, a few posts down, says, "As for who originated the flipper, I don't think any one around today knows. I saw a flipper on a antique friction folder Circa 1875." I would be interested to see what that looked like!

 

[severedthumbs]

no known inventor, however Ken Onion and his Kershaw collabs have definitely popularized the flipper.

 

[Hacked]

For some reason I always think of R.J. when I think of flippers.

 

[EZ Bake]

Well crap - apparently I suck at searching the forums here (and also, I had no idea that both Kit Carson and Ken Onion were members here, very cool).

Asked and answered. Appreciate the info!

 

[Les Robertson]

Hi EZ Bake,

First custom knife maker I saw utilize a flipper was Mel Pardue. Matter of fact Mel got into a little trouble over it at a show in California back in the 80's. Randall Gilbreath (who was taught by Mel) was the next I saw utilize a flipper opener, then Kit Carson. This is not to say this is an exact chronological order. It is my best recollection of who I saw first, second and third.

 

[allyourblood]

Hi EZ Bake,

First custom knife maker I saw utilize a flipper was Mel Pardue. Matter of fact Mel got into a little trouble over it at a show in California back in the 80's.

Trouble relating to how it opened?