Why get a flipper?

H

hobnob

Joined
Dec 18, 2009
Messages
41
Most of my knives are either Spyders (non flipper) or Benchmade Axis. Thinking about trying a flipper, but I've read that a lot of folks don't seem to care about owning one. Other than the cool factor and possibly slightly quicker opening, is there an advantage? Could there be a disadvantage?
 
Good question.

I have owned a ton of flippers but non in a while.

They are fun, but beyond that, not really for me.

I have no need to open a knife "fast" although I am not really sure that's even an "advantage" of a flipper.

I guess it's nice to have choices, just like we do with the many lock options we have as well.
 
It's a personal preference thing... some people like that it also offers a sort of finger guard to prevent your finger from slipping up onto the edge but I have found it can snag on stuff too so there are positives and negatives.
 
Mostly fun factor for me. But there are times an easy opening knife is a blessing. Like when dealing with some tangle that now needs to be cut and you have only one free hand & the knife is in your pocket. (Not that flippers are the only one-handed knives).

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
 
They also provide a guard in a lot of cases. And some knives are cool whether they are flippers or not.
 
I kinda like them, a personal preference thing.
I only have a few, like you OP I have mostly Spydercos and Benchmades that are not flippers.

I don't think there's any advantage to a flipper, in fact I had a tip down carry only flipper that had a habit of partially deploying the blade as I pulled it out from my pocket as the flipper caught on the way out. Gave that one away.
 
hobnob said:
Most of my knives are either Spyders (non flipper) or Benchmade Axis. Thinking about trying a flipper, but I've read that a lot of folks don't seem to care about owning one. Other than the cool factor and possibly slightly quicker opening, is there an advantage? Could there be a disadvantage?
Click to expand...

Since you mentioned Spyderco as a non flipper I'll show you a Spydie flipper.
The Domino! Quick video

Flippers are neat the only disadvantage I've found with them is at times the flipper tab gets in the way. So only thing to do is a flipper delete.
Same domino with flipper tab removed.


On say a Hinderer the tab is nice because it acts like a guard.

But I still removed the tab on a 3" Hinderer mostly because the flipper on a gen2 is useless.


Try a ZT they have nice nice flippers
 
Last edited:
A really good flipper is transparent. That is, you use the knife effectively, but don't realize that it's a flipper. There are many ways to open a knife. The important thing is what you do with the knife once it's open.
There are plenty of good and bad flippers around. I prefer manual,but some manual flippers will not open the blade quickly and positively. You really need to check out the one you're interested in before you buy it.
 
I like them because like a wave feature you can be firing the blade open just as it's coming completely out of the pocket in the tip up carry position. That and they are knives so they're sweet.
 
I tend to fidget so I have a few flippers. Advantages, or course the fun factor, and if the knife has opening options such as Spyderco Mantra, you get to switch back and forth if your flipping finger gets sore, lol. That brings me to a disadvantage, if the flipper is the only way to open, you might not be able to pull it out and use it in public very easily without raising some eyebrows. The flipper tab itself can be problematic in pocket. 1 it takes up room, 2 depending on shape or design it can poke/scrape you knuckles if you keep anything else in that pocket. 3 I've had one or two tabs force the blade open in my pocket, now it didn't cause any injury or anything as they sit tip up against the seam but at least one pair of jeans has a bit of a tear where their should only be pocket clip wear!
 
I really like them although all mine are spring assisted. I would like to get a quality one some day.
I like the Medfords but man they ain't cheap.
 
I agree that it's a personal opinion but it also depends on the knife. I've owned several flippers and hate it on some blades thinking they would be better without and that some would be better with it.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk
 
I prefer front flipper designs above all other opening mechanisms I have experienced so far (vlade nick, thumb stud, regular flipper, and the spydie hole, which would be my second best).
It gives me more control on the blade than regular flipper or any other mechanisms.
I can either flick it or slowly open it.
Furthermore, it does not have that cumbersome flipper tab!

[Youtube]QdFvM6112Hc[/Youtube]


Miso
 
hobnob said:
Most of my knives are either Spyders (non flipper) or Benchmade Axis. Thinking about trying a flipper, but I've read that a lot of folks don't seem to care about owning one. Other than the cool factor and possibly slightly quicker opening, is there an advantage? Could there be a disadvantage?
Click to expand...

I guess they're faster, but I don't really need a fast folder. ( I've got fixed blades for that )

I'd say the disadvantages are really good ones being more expensive, and that it's easy not to make one right ( I guess a good one should open without requiring some real hard thumb pressure ). A lockback with a stud or hole is a less expensive and easier thing to make.
Other than that it seems to be a good popular mechanism for people who want speed.
 
I didn't buy into them at all until I found one at a very reasonable weight/size. First and only flipper and I love it. To be honest I think everything about this knife is perfect. I love the slimness, light weight, and think it has perfect blade steel for the profile (ZDP-189). The flipping action has grown on me, it's lightning quick. This particular knife is actually in my top 5. Happy I got one while available :D





Don't buy one to buy one just because its "cool" or what all the other people are doing. Just check em out like any other knife. If you find one that really fits your criteria of "awesome/perfect" then jump on it and try it out. I absolutly love the 0450cfzdp but it doesnt make me want any other flippers because currently 99% of them dont really fit my criteria of what I look for in a knife. Only other flipper I'm considering is the 0452cf because of its weight/blade length ratio, but have other priorities over it and would be fine without it. In fact Im debating on a 2nd 0450cfzdp :D
 
Last edited:
I prefer the flippers because for me it feels the most secure during deployment. I have also had several knives close on me and cut my fingers, and the flipper is the best safety against that happening. In fact I have found when knives have folded on me (all lockbacks I think) it was during hard use, and the harder you grip a flipper the lower the likelihood of it closing.

I have never found a flipper "cumbersome" or accidentally deployed one, and I have been EDCing a few different flippers for years. I do make sure to get the slimmer designs (right now it's a Kershhaw Cryo II).

The downfalls I have found include "cool factor". They are way too much fun to play with, and I often find myself flipping it out and closing it lots of times. This becomes a problem when the torsion bar goes, and they will. It's not a hard fix, but the parts are hard to come by. You have to get them from the manufacturer, and right now I'm having trouble even getting KAI service to send me a torsion bar.

Wish they would semi-standardize the torsion bars so I could buy a suitable replacement without long phone menus and talking with customer service (which in this case still has not yielded a torsion bar). Would much rather just spend a few bucks and cut the hassle.
 
My first flipper was the SOG Vulcan. After playing around with it and carrying it some, I decided it was too large a knife for me to comfortably EDC. I loved the action and in fact was really looking forward to SOG introducing the Mini-Vulcan. I bought the mini at Blade from SOG years ago when it first came out. This was during my "SOG days" the first couple of years after I joined Blade Forums. Played around with that one for a while and decided flippers just weren't for me. I don't like the loud "thack" when you flip one open. Waved knives are certainly not for me. I don't want a knife opening as I pull it out of my pocket by accident (EVER). I just didn't see any point over the assisted openers if I want something supposedly "fast". The fact is I have always been really comfortable with a large Vic SAK and traditional knives and the flipper was just a toy for me. I seldom feel the need to open a knife fast, but I enjoy playing around with them as much as the next guy. I just decided they weren't for me and don't buy them. Might change down the road. Who knows? Many like them.

I would say, get yourself a good flipper and play around with it. Decide for yourself.
 
Last edited:
I currently really own one flipper, a ZT 0562. I love it, and I love the flipper. However, when searching for future purchases, few of the knives I look at have flippers. Not anything against them, the knives I like just generally don't have them. I have never really found a disadvantage or an advantage of a flipper in practical use. As stated above, theoretically it could get in the way, or save your fingers in a thrust, but I have never experienced either of these things personally. A flipper, especially a good flipper, is a lot of fun and I can appreciate it from an engineering perspective. I think every knife fan should give a decent flipper, like a ZT, a try. I have handled knives that do not flip very well and they kind of kill it for me. The Benchmade 300 Flipper is a good example. Great knife, horrid flipper. I think if you find a flipper model you like otherwise, and meets your other criteria for a knife, give it a go!
 
For me, the biggest appeal to flippers is the lack of any protuberances on the blade to interfere with cutting or holes to collect gunk.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top