Poll: Flippers

[Joris Mo]

Do own a few flippers but none by Spyderco, have thought about getting a Mantra and grinding the flipper off..
Flippers I do own where mainly nice enough even with flippers and not available without.

[Holland]

I'm not a fan of flippers, they waste handle room and make the knife more tacticool.

The Mantra is one of my favourite knives as I cut the flipper tab off. The knife didn't fit my hand prior to sanding it off

[Able Dog]

I like flippers, they are fun to play with. They offer no meaningful "practical" advantage, but they are still nice.

I'm personally waiting for the next Southard collaboration, the one with the Compression Lock.

[dreadpirate]

I have no problem with them especially when Spyderco also give us a thumb hole along with it. There's nothing wrong with more opening options.

Yep!!

[Wright.88]

I owned a Mantra and got rid of it due to problems with the bearings (alternated between being smooth and gritty. Took it apart and cleaned it but that didn't really help it). Thought about sending it but decided I'd just sell it with the disclosed issues and move on. Next I tried a Mantra 2 and really liked how thin it was. But it didn't slice well and I missed the spydie hole.

Then I found a great deal on another Mantra and gave it second chance - this one is perfect! One of the smoothest Spydercos I own. I love the design - basically a Ti flipper Delica with upgraded steel, more cutting edge, and deep carry clip. I could take or leave the flipper, but I do fiddle/flick my knives often, so I don't see it as a negative. Definitely one of my favorite Spydercos.

[DougC-3]

When I'm closing linerlocks and framelocks with my left hand, I push the lockbar with my index fingertip, and it works perfectly with all my Millies, Tenacious, Persistence, etc. OK I admit I use my thumb with my Cricket and Balance, but I then have to flip the blade around using my pants leg or whatever's handy. So I could use my thumb with the Mantra if necessary. The Cricket is my least ambidextrous for one hand closing, but doable.

I close liner and frame locks with my left hand basically the same as I do with my right. I turn my hand over so the bottom of the knife is facing up and push the lock bar over with my thumb. I have my index finger on the thumb ramp on the back of the blade so once the lock is released the blade starts to close and the flipper tab stops the blade on my thumb. Then I turn the knife a little in my hand and pull the blade the rest of the way closed using my thumb in the spydie hole.

Thanks for the technique tip and explanation, Sharp. I'm looking forward to trying that the next time I see a Mantra and comparing it to the way I do it.
Here's how I do it with fingertip. It's very quick -- takes about 1.2 sec :p :

Depress lockbar or linerlock:


Choil or ricasso falls safely to fingertip (if it's sticky, you can give it a little flip):


Pull in blade with thumb:

[Liquid Cobra]

I'm not sure why there seems to be so much concern about flippers opening in people's pockets. I carry a flipper pretty much everyday and have not had a single issue. I hope I didn't just jinx myself! The majority of the knives I carry don't have a self close actually.

Opening a knife with the flipper tab has become second nature for me. In fact, there are plenty of times I go to open a standard Spyderco knife and find myself going for the tab that isn't there. How embarrassing.

[ZrowsN1s]

I think flippers have "some" advantage in the fast opening department. I would say your fingers being away from the edge by using a tab on the spine is a plus. Less danger of "slipping" or fumbling an open when you are going for absolute speed.

[murphjd25]

I like flippers but I'm not in love with them. The only one I got is a ZT, I carry it maybe once every couple weeks..

The only one in interested in from Spyderco is the Advocate, but I'm on a serious spending freeze as of last week.

[Bill1170]

I have a couple flippers but seldom carry either one. I prefer the hole opener because it works fast or slow, and can be used to close as well as open the knife. The Emerson opener is my second most favorite opening method after the hole. Thumb studs/disks/plates are not great for my uses.

[palonej]

I really like flippers, and am one of the lucky ones that has gotten 3 perfect Spydie flippers....Domi o, Southard and an Advocate.
I actually prefer Spydie flippers because of the multiple opening options.
Joe

[vivi]

I have no interest in owning a folder that opens with any method other than a manual spyderhole. No flippers, no thumbstuds, no autos, no balisongs.

Only exception would be my leatherman pocket multitools.

[SpyderNut]

I chose the first option. However, I'm really not much of a flipper guy. I prefer the simplicity of a standard manual opening mechanism like the Round Hole or even a thumb stud/disk if executed correctly. The flipper tabs on most flippers tends to stick out too far when the blade is closed and also tends to interfere with the choil area when the blade is open. One of the few exceptions to this would be either the Dice and Domino. Eric's clever designing skills allows the flipper tabs to literally disappear when the blade is fully opened. I like that.

Bottom line: If I'm attracted to a design, I will buy it regardless if it's a flipper or not. :D

[bh49]

I prefer the simplicity of a standard manual opening mechanism like the Round Hole or even a thumb stud/disk

What are thumb stud/disk??
I hope that your new designs do not include these things? How can you open a knife without spyderhole?

[SpyderNut]

I prefer the simplicity of a standard manual opening mechanism like the Round Hole or even a thumb stud/disk

What are thumb stud/disk??
I hope that your new designs do not include these things? How can you open a knife without spyderhole?

You got me there, Roman. (I was just checking to see if you were listening :p ).
But on a serious note, I was mostly just trying to say that I'd *almost* rather have a thumb stud or thumb disk over a flipper tab. However... nothing beats the Round Hole for opening ease.

[bh49]

. However... nothing beats the Round Hole for opening ease.

You made me nervous for a little while

[Evil D]

I hope Spyderco make a knife with a 20mm hole, Emerson wave hook, flipper, and automatic opening all in one. Bearings on one side of the pivot and nylon on the other side just for good measure. They can call it the "Offender".

[DougC-3]

I hope Spyderco make a knife with a 20mm hole, Emerson wave hook, flipper, and automatic opening all in one. Bearings on one side of the pivot and nylon on the other side just for good measure. They can call it the "Offender".

Ha ha, and you could put a fixed blade on the other end of it in case you didn't have time to operate any of those :eek:

[SpyderNut]

. However... nothing beats the Round Hole for opening ease.

You made me nervous for a little while

Sorry about that. I tend to get carried away at times. :D

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