Flippers

C

Cubane

Well-Known Member
Hi everyone,

I saw the article on flippers in Knives 2010 and have been watching some video reviews of them on youtube. I never realized they opened that fast I always thought the flipper bit was just to push the blade out of the handle so it could be opened two handed easier. I have been making slipjoints for the last little while and was thinking about making a locking folder (either lock back or liner lock) and after seeing those flippers go I think I might have made up my mind. I have the Bob Terzuola book "The Tactical Folding Knife" so I feel reasonably comfortable that I'll manage a liner lock ok. I was just wondering what the big differences between a regular liner lock and a flipper is? Where in relation to the pivot is the best spot for the flipper to be? Any tips for doing a frame lock rather than a liner lock? The knives 2010 book mentioned internal stop pins and the detent ball being different. I have an idea about the internal stop pin but does that change the position of the pin? Anyway any input from the flipper experts out there would be much appreciated.

Regards,
Alistair Phillips
 
When the blade is closed you want the flipper to be even with or forward of the pivot. You'll find that in order to accomplish that you'll need to put the stop pin somewhere else.
 
I am guess in order to keep that triangle of strength that is covered in the book that would mean moving the pin to the lower side of the knife forward of the pivot pin. That is why you need the internal stop pin right?
 
You don't actually need an internal stop pin, I have seen them (and I did one this way) at the top and forward of the pivot, you'll have to do some drawing and playing around to figure out what I'm talking about. No comment on the "triangle of strength"
 
I'll have to do some drawings and post them up. Do you do anything different for your detent ball or anything? or are they same as your normal folders? Thanks for all the help btw.
 
I make the detent fall completely into the detent hole (#53 solid carbide) in stead of bringing it until it just starts to fall in.
 
Well I have been doing some sketching. In order to fit the pin in up the front above the pivot the only place I can see it resting against is the lock area of the tang. I am not sure this is the best idea out there. I am also thinking I might have to straighten out the handle a bit to get the lock cutout in the liner of as well. It will also move the flipper bit forward a bit more since I can rotate the blade around a bit further.

flipper1.jpg


Any other hints or things to improve from this starting point?

Alistair
 
Well I had another idea. I was thinking of having two stop pins. One above and forward of the pivot and one behind the pivot. In the closed position the ricasso would rest on the stop pin and in the open position the tang rest against the forward stop pin.

Here is a new design.. Can you tell I am inspired by Anso?

flipper2.jpg


Still some more redesigning to do though. I am not so sure of that hump in the spine and I am thinking I would like more of a point on the blade. Just some work to do to make the profile a bit more narrow in the closed position.

Alistair
 
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