What opening way is the most fun way to play with?Why?

Kizer Cutlery

Kizer Cutlery

Follow us on Instagram: Kizer_inc
Moderator
Joined
Jun 24, 2013
Messages
743
This week's discussion we are gonna discuss what opening way (flipper, front flipper, open hole, etc.) of folding knives is the most fun way to play with and why? Lets do this!
*By the way, do you like our Kizer Maestro down below? It has multiple way to open and i love that. Do you like mutiple opening? why or why not?
kizercutlery_inc_90094136_1433826916799334_8778172272206074274_n.jpg
kizercutlery_inc_91016105_629012081164686_6327869957236230446_n.jpg

*Since the out break of the coronavirus, Kizer concern about all of you guys, please take care yourself and your family and stay away from the crowd. If you were boring for staying at home then have fun here, the virus can't get throught the internet.;)

*Exciting news!! Our IG will held the first Kizer festival, 'Kizer friday' on April, 3rd (GMT -4) come and join! BTW, next discussion thread will relate to this!Have fun.
 
Last edited:
Front flipping is the hardest to master to where it feels smooth so I would rank that highest for fidget factor!

They're all fun though and that maestro looks awesome.
 
A/O and bearing flippers are the most fun, but it's better when they have metal scales.

Ro1o0t3.jpg



The Kershaw Cyclone is an example. Plastic scales or slabs muffle sound, removing that satisfying "clack" that you should hear when the blade hits the stop.

Kizer did a good job overall with the Gti.

3eBnJhE.jpg



The blade fires, but not so hard that it tries to kick the blade out of your hand. It's easy to close when you're done, too.
 
Shorttime said:
A/O and bearing flippers are the most fun, but it's better when they have metal scales

The Kershaw Cyclone is an example. Plastic scales or slabs muffle sound, removing that satisfying "clack" that you should hear when the blade hits the stop.

Kizer did a good job overall with the Gti.
Click to expand...

I feel the same way about the CRKT Crossbones it's light metal but doesn't feel like it kicks out of your hand when you flip it.
 
I think liner-locks are the funest to play with. I haven’t owned a frame-lock that I have liked as much. I also haven’t had a flipper that I’ve kept. Frame-lock flippers are the ones I’ve had the worst luck with. I don’t mind thumb-studs, but prefer a Spydie-hole type opener. Also, cant stand a flipper that also has studs. Just one man’s opinion.
 
I like a flipper tab. It doesn't matter if it's a front flipper or the regular kind. When the action is smooth and the detent is just right, I love the way it snaps open. It brings me a little bit of joy at the start of every cutting task.

I don't love thumb studs. I don't like how they stick out from the blade. I'm also sensitive to the spacing and action due to a little arthritis in my thumbs. That means I have a smaller window of acceptable ergonomics when thumb studs are the opening mechanism. (Coincidentally, the Domin works well for me.)

Generally, I have a "less is more" approach to things like this. Additional opening methods are just extra doodads I don't need. They can introduce complications I don't like. I feel the same way about lanyard holes. I don't use them. They can disrupt optimal clip placement or create a hot spot in some designs.
 
jstrange said:
I think liner-locks are the funest to play with. I haven’t owned a frame-lock that I have liked as much. I also haven’t had a flipper that I’ve kept. Frame-lock flippers are the ones I’ve had the worst luck with. I don’t mind thumb-studs, but prefer a Spydie-hole type opener. Also, cant stand a flipper that also has studs. Just one man’s opinion.
Click to expand...
Could you tell me why you dont like multiple opening in one knife? Dont they bring multiple open fun to you?
 
Chronovore said:
I like a flipper tab. It doesn't matter if it's a front flipper or the regular kind. When the action is smooth and the detent is just right, I love the way it snaps open. It brings me a little bit of joy at the start of every cutting task.

I don't love thumb studs. I don't like how they stick out from the blade. I'm also sensitive to the spacing and action due to a little arthritis in my thumbs. That means I have a smaller window of acceptable ergonomics when thumb studs are the opening mechanism. (Coincidentally, the Domin works well for me.)

Generally, I have a "less is more" approach to things like this. Additional opening methods are just extra doodads I don't need. They can introduce complications I don't like. I feel the same way about lanyard holes. I don't use them. They can disrupt optimal clip placement or create a hot spot in some designs.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your reply!! "less is more" is a good thought.
 
jstrange said:
I think liner-locks are the funest to play with. I haven’t owned a frame-lock that I have liked as much. I also haven’t had a flipper that I’ve kept. Frame-lock flippers are the ones I’ve had the worst luck with. I don’t mind thumb-studs, but prefer a Spydie-hole type opener. Also, cant stand a flipper that also has studs. Just one man’s opinion.
Click to expand...

I could have written this ^ myself. Completely agree especially as regards to holes and studs. One or the other. Holes over studs, if I have to choose, but not both - unnecessary and so just a gimmick in an overly gimmicked world.

This one is simple and very fine enough. An excellent flipper liner lock.
 
Last edited:
Kizer Cutlery said:
Could you tell me why you dont like multiple opening in one knife? Dont they bring multiple open fun to you?
Click to expand...

I just don’t like the looks of them mostly. Too much redundancy also brings too much clutter. If you are going to have a flipper make the blade smooth and clean. No studs to get in the way of sharpening or cutting. Just my opinion. I’m sure there are equally good arguments for the opposing opinion.
 
jstrange said:
I just don’t like the looks of them mostly. Too much redundancy also brings too much clutter. If you are going to have a flipper make the blade smooth and clean. No studs to get in the way of sharpening or cutting. Just my opinion. I’m sure there are equally good arguments for the opposing opinion.
Click to expand...

This. All the way.
 
Kizer Cutlery Kizer Cutlery

Generally speaking, most collectors and users here at BF love clean lines and less BS. It will be hard to make a fortune off “multiple openers” here.

Myself, favorite opener is, as REK Knives REK Knives said, front flipper with low profile tab. I despise tall tabs, tall tabs are for companies who cant properly make a front flipper.
The beauty of a front flipper is that opening is fun, and a lot of different options. The bonus is that you have 100% useable blade surface, not studs, holes, mill slots and disks to get in the way of cutting chores! Plus, there is just something about a clean blade with great shape.
It takes some work to make a beautiful front flipper that operates well, and is still solid in every way. There are a few makers who have done it perfectly...I wont mention who.
That being said, I have a highly modified Kizer Feist which was my first front flipper...only issue for me is that its a touch small, and the detent is so strong. Overly strong. Also, bearings on a FF are meh. Dial it in with PB washers and I’ll buy it all day long. Put a 3.15-3.25” blade in it and you’ve got a winner.

514D056A-751B-4F62-88AE-5AAA25BA67CA.jpeg
 
Kizer Cutlery said:
Could you tell me why you dont like multiple opening in one knife? Dont they bring multiple open fun to you?
Click to expand...
Who is it you're trying to sell it to? The sort of buyer you'll find on Bladeforums likely has several knives in their possession already.

We don't necessarily need a "one size fits all" solution with multiple opening methods. We've got flippers, studs and thumb holes. We can afford to have more focused designs in our rotation and will likely be more interested in a specific design language and aesthetic than the prospect of fidget versatility.

I'd like that knife a lot more if you'd left off all three of those opening methods, dropped the spine close to flush with the handle and used a thumb disk. Just my personal preference. Having a tab, thumb hole hump and studs just reads as muddy and likely heavier than necessary.
 
T.L.E. Sharp said:
and likely heavier than necessary.
Click to expand...

Yep this Maestro is nearly half a pound for 3.5" blade....Off my list right there... It does have a really nice look to it tho.
The problem with some multi-deployment is that one or all of the methods suffer for the sake of adding more options.
I prefer a tab & hole deployment over thumbstud as well ... a new example the SBD Void is a perfect blend and great deployment either way.
I like front flippers as well.

P.S Stop drilling lanyard holes in handles, use the backspacer or none.... Thanks!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top