Why doesn't every knife have a flipper?

Flippers would be all wrong for the Szabo, primarily designed for reverse grip and flippers are not a reliable opening. If people would time themselves under stress (say a friend grabbing you and giving you just a slight shake) opening a folder they would see flippers suck, a good chance you end up hurting your self if you do it enough times because it didn't open completely and/or dropped.

p.s. also usually suck for choking up on the edge
 
GronK said:
Oh, yeah, and flippers don't work on lockbacks or slip joints, two of my favorite systems. :D
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CRKT did it on the Nirk Tighe :eek: I like flippers for some stuff, but they really do ruin the lines of a knife.
 
Why do people keep suggesting that there is some legal element to flippers? Are they outlawed in any place in the U.S., and if so, when did that happen?
 
Flippers are a passing fad. They will be around for decades, perhaps until production knifes cease to exist, but their current popularity is a result of marketing trends and consumer demand.

There is nothing intrinsically special or amazing about a flipper that allows it to open faster than thumb studs, holes, or waved deployment. In fact, the flipper is the only form of opening with a critical flaw: grip on the handle is often reduced during a flipping motion because the thumb and middle/ring/pinky (usually just the ring finger) must "pinch" the handle to allow the index finger to engage the flipper. This leads to a weak, inconsistent grip on the knife that could be detrimental in harsh weather or hazardous settings. I do not enjoy flippers for this exact reason.
 
I prefer a folder to be fast in all steps. This includes withdrawl from the pocket, opening, closing, and putting it back into the pocket. With flippers it takes care to get them back into my pocket without the flipper catching and causing the knife to open partially. This negates the fast opening for me.
They sure are fun to open though!
 
Oakengroves said:
Flippers are a passing fad. They will be around for decades, perhaps until production knifes cease to exist, but their current popularity is a result of marketing trends and consumer demand.

There is nothing intrinsically special or amazing about a flipper that allows it to open faster than thumb studs, holes, or waved deployment. In fact, the flipper is the only form of opening with a critical flaw: grip on the handle is often reduced during a flipping motion because the thumb and middle/ring/pinky (usually just the ring finger) must "pinch" the handle to allow the index finger to engage the flipper. This leads to a weak, inconsistent grip on the knife that could be detrimental in harsh weather or hazardous settings. I do not enjoy flippers for this exact reason.
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Tolling agian
 
Wow, I didn't realize that so many people gave a crap about flippers. And negatively to boot.

Personally I like them if done well.

And to the guy that said that Benchmade doesn't do flippers? May want to look at the catalog more closely. ;) I love the 300sn as much as the Southard.
 
Strigamort said:
Wow, I didn't realize that so many people gave a crap about flippers. And negatively to boot.
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I too am surprised by the number of negative responses, I had no idea there were so many that adamantly despised flippers.

Of my EDC knives, half of the folders are flippers, 25% have a hole, and the remainder have a thumb stud. I would not buy a knife because of a feature although there are some designs that are aesthetically unpleasing which to me far more a reason for dismissing a knife.

Now with that being said, don't get me started on waved knives, those are just plain ugly and too tacticool for me, LOL!
 
Sorry about the Benchmade comment. It seems that they do make flippers. As far as the negativity goes, each person has a favorite. Some like flippers. Some don't. And some don't care one way or the other. This is just a discussion and hopefully a friendly one.
 
after carrying my leek for awhile, i realized i don't like the flipper at all...or the assisted opening. i just open it with the thumbstud. however, i stopped carrying it altogether in favor of spydercos (love the hole).
 
I wasn't particularly a big flipper fan either until this showed up yesterday:

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I like flippers but I don't think they are the best opening system. I much prefer the thumb hole or thumb stud. It takes a lot to get a flipper perfect
 
curnla said:
Sorry about the Benchmade comment. It seems that they do make flippers. As far as the negativity goes, each person has a favorite. Some like flippers. Some don't. And some don't care one way or the other. This is just a discussion and hopefully a friendly one.
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Exactly. Theres no reason for anyone to be offended. If you like a knife, buy it. Someone else having a different opinion doesnt make you wrong.
 
Some people just dont like them. I find that they get in my way when im using the knife on occasion.
 
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