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Re: What would folding pocket knives look like if Sal never started Spyderco?

Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2019 5:59 pm
by 013
JuPaul wrote:
Mon Sep 09, 2019 7:25 am
013 wrote:
Mon Sep 09, 2019 6:33 am
JuPaul wrote:
Wed Aug 28, 2019 6:20 am
Out of curiosity, when did flipper tabs become a thing? Does anyone know who first debuted them?
Off the top of my head, if I'm not mistaken, i believe it was Blackie Collins. I remember purchasing my first flipper of his design in the late 90's. It was fiber reinforced nylon, including the blade, and it was assisted. They had a metal bladed version, but i was still a little sceptical about the design....so I went with the cheaper one to try it out.
An frn blade?? Woa, didn't know that even existed! Knifemaking history is so interesting...
Yeah, it was pretty cool. You had to sharpen it with an emery board or sandpaper. It was all plastic except for a beryllium spring. I think it was designed that way to be able to slip by certain inspections covertly.

Re: What would folding pocket knives look like if Sal never started Spyderco?

Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2019 6:01 pm
by JuPaul
013 wrote:
Mon Sep 09, 2019 5:56 pm
JuPaul wrote:
Mon Sep 09, 2019 11:00 am
wrdwrght wrote:
Mon Sep 09, 2019 8:32 am
013 wrote:
Mon Sep 09, 2019 6:33 am


Off the top of my head, if I'm not mistaken, i believe it was Blackie Collins. I remember purchasing my first flipper of his design in the late 90's. It was fiber reinforced nylon, including the blade, and it was assisted. They had a metal bladed version, but i was still a little sceptical about the design....so I went with the cheaper one to try it out.
I’m no historian of knives but the Blackie Collins reference didn’t sound right. Check this: https://knifenews.com/how-did-the-flipp ... o-popular/
Thanks! Someone else mentioned CRKT earlier...appears they did have the first mass produced flipper design.
I remember when I purchased the Blackie Collins blade, & I also remember when I purchased an CRKT M-16 flipper when they first came out. They were years apart. It was a while ago, so clearly this subject is going to require some research.
Even that article mentioned there is some debate on the subject. If you feel like digging into it more, I'd be interested to know what you find!

Re: What would folding pocket knives look like if Sal never started Spyderco?

Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2019 6:02 pm
by 013

Re: What would folding pocket knives look like if Sal never started Spyderco?

Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2019 6:04 pm
by JuPaul
013 wrote:
Mon Sep 09, 2019 5:59 pm
JuPaul wrote:
Mon Sep 09, 2019 7:25 am
013 wrote:
Mon Sep 09, 2019 6:33 am
JuPaul wrote:
Wed Aug 28, 2019 6:20 am
Out of curiosity, when did flipper tabs become a thing? Does anyone know who first debuted them?
Off the top of my head, if I'm not mistaken, i believe it was Blackie Collins. I remember purchasing my first flipper of his design in the late 90's. It was fiber reinforced nylon, including the blade, and it was assisted. They had a metal bladed version, but i was still a little sceptical about the design....so I went with the cheaper one to try it out.
An frn blade?? Woa, didn't know that even existed! Knifemaking history is so interesting...
Yeah, it was pretty cool. You had to sharpen it with an emery board or sandpaper. It was all plastic except for a beryllium spring. I think it was designed that way to be able to slip by certain inspections covertly.
Inspired by the ol' prison yard toothbrush shiv, no doubt. ;) :p

Re: What would folding pocket knives look like if Sal never started Spyderco?

Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2019 6:11 pm
by 013
Sorry everybody, I was wrong about the one that I had. It does not have a flipper tab. I went to look & found one for sale & it is exactly like the one I had. I've been wrong before, & I will be wrong again. When I posted, it was early in the day & I didn't have my full dose of coffee yet.....Anyway, here it is:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/BLACKIE-COLLIN ... ect=mobile

Re: What would folding pocket knives look like if Sal never started Spyderco?

Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2019 6:13 pm
by 013
JuPaul wrote:
Mon Sep 09, 2019 6:04 pm
013 wrote:
Mon Sep 09, 2019 5:59 pm
JuPaul wrote:
Mon Sep 09, 2019 7:25 am
013 wrote:
Mon Sep 09, 2019 6:33 am


Off the top of my head, if I'm not mistaken, i believe it was Blackie Collins. I remember purchasing my first flipper of his design in the late 90's. It was fiber reinforced nylon, including the blade, and it was assisted. They had a metal bladed version, but i was still a little sceptical about the design....so I went with the cheaper one to try it out.
An frn blade?? Woa, didn't know that even existed! Knifemaking history is so interesting...
Yeah, it was pretty cool. You had to sharpen it with an emery board or sandpaper. It was all plastic except for a beryllium spring. I think it was designed that way to be able to slip by certain inspections covertly.
Inspired by the ol' prison yard toothbrush shiv, no doubt. ;) :p
Yeah, I was young & I thought "boy, all the things I could do with this":
007, navy seal, cia, ninja........

Re: What would folding pocket knives look like if Sal never started Spyderco?

Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2019 6:19 pm
by 013
Thank goodness Spyderco doesn't mess with assisted.

Re: What would folding pocket knives look like if Sal never started Spyderco?

Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2019 6:24 pm
by npad69
Probably the classic buck design with the nailnicks

Re: What would folding pocket knives look like if Sal never started Spyderco?

Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2019 6:55 pm
by Cambertree
If I recall right Spyderco tend to reference Kit Carson when they talk about their flipper design, but I’m not sure if they’re talking about the invention of that opening feature, or a particular type of flipper tab. (Don’t really know anything about that type of design, as I’ve never owned a flipper.)

Re: What would folding pocket knives look like if Sal never started Spyderco?

Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2019 6:57 pm
by JuPaul
013 wrote:
Mon Sep 09, 2019 6:11 pm
Sorry everybody, I was wrong about the one that I had. It does not have a flipper tab. I went to look & found one for sale & it is exactly like the one I had. I've been wrong before, & I will be wrong again. When I posted, it was early in the day & I didn't have my full dose of coffee yet.....Anyway, here it is:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/BLACKIE-COLLIN ... ect=mobile
Woa, sharpening the plastic serrations with an emery board must have taken some real dedication!