XM8 Flipper tab when open - does it get more comfortable/did you get use to it?

Steelhog

Steelhog

Joined
Jul 2, 2009
Messages
1,176
Hey all. I recently picked up a absolutely fantastic Hinderer Skinny XM18 flipper (the 3" liner lock. The knife is everything I wanted it to be but this is my first experience with a flipper knife. Honestly the flipper tab causes some discomfort in quite a few grips (when open) and mostly just looking for feedback from the Hinderer or flipper fan base on a few items........I don't think this variation comes in a non-flipper so hoping to get some feedback.

1. Did you find the flipper tab uncomfortable at first and if so did you get use to it/grow to like it?
2. If worst comes to worst does Hinderer offer a removal service similar to what BRKT does for the Brovo1 line thumb ramp?

Outside of the flipper tab this thing is really something and love everything else. Hope I don't sour on it all because of a flipper tab........
http://imgur.com/gallery/7inlVKH
 
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Got used to it.

I wouldn’t de-flipper the XM 3” Skinny (liner lock). The detente might be way too strong to use the blade stops as thumb studs. The frame locks are ok to have the flipper ground off.
 
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The detent on the gen 6's are too strong to allow easy use for the blade stops as thumb studs. Well at least my gen 6 is, I'm sure there's someone out there that might disagree. I will say that, that's why I'm more comfortable with my gen 4 still, even though the detent is only half as strong or less as the gen 6.
 
Maybe the three inch is too small for your hand? I'd try the regular size and see if that makes a difference. Unless you are smashing your hand tightly against the flipper tab, there should be no issues using it.
 
I originally only bought non flipper Hinderers because even on the 3.5" the tab bit into my index finger gripping it tightly ...

but when the Gen 6s came out Rick had the detent dialed in and they have such a great action ... that I tried out different grips and ways that it could be handled and used and still have the flipper tab ...

and I did find grips that are comfortable and still give me a solid purchase on the knife for any uses I have ...

so for me it was adapting my grip to find what worked ... and for me it was well worth it ...

I know the 3" is just too small for my hand ... so it's 3.5" only for me.
 
I was about to give up on my 3" Skinny but decided to do some stoning to it, the flipper tab 'hook' was digging into my finger pretty bad. Now I was just telling my son I think it's my favorite knife for EDC right now. I also found the G10 too sharp around my index finger so smoothed it over real good and recessed the lock acess on the show scale some. At 1st it wasn't a very fun knife to use or even play with but now the flipper, though it still rides against my finger, is smooth and comfortable. I'd get another one but would have to do the same things to it to make it a comfortable user. The 'mods' I did aren't even noticeable unless you were to compare it side by side w/a stock one.

By stoning I mean taking a small stone to the metal and G10 to remove the sharp edges and move the 'hook' on the flipper tab back a smidge. At 1st it had a number of hot spots along the edges mostly toward the flipper, I just kept smoothing the scales until is felt great. It really does fit nice just had to many sharp edges for a larger hand.

My 3" is the only Hinderer that I can open w/the thumstuds/blade stops, they work great once you get it. My favorite way to open it is just popping the blade stop w/my index finger, the blade flies out, it has a strong detent too. I just think it's easier to overcome the detent w/the smaller profile knife cause I can't move the blade at all on my 3.5's or MP-1 with my thumb or finger. One of the reasons I've been reluctant to go non-flipper as I'm worried the thumb studs would tear my fingers up like on the flipper models which I can't budge w/out much pain.
 
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All five of my Gen 6 XM-18s have various levels of detent resistance. My favorite XM just happens to be the one that is the most resistance to open. I would rather have more resistance than very little.
 
Not a big fan of framelock folders without a flipper, especially with early lockup. The two exceptions I will take are CRK Sebenza and Spyderco Military RIL.
 
Nope, I don't think I've gotten more used to them over the years. It's not very well shaped as a flipper, I think.
 
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