Flipping folders open/closed - damage?

[DickP]

Hey all:

I've just acquired a beayoootiful Benchmade Griptilian - it's the Gold class Griptilian with the M4 blade and the carbon fiber scales (here's someone's YouTube video of the knife, for those unfamiliar with it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhHnGp61L5Q)

I've read that flipping such a knife open/closed by means of depressing the locking mechanism and wrist-flicking the knife should give you the same shudders you (ought to) feel slapping open and shut the cylinder of a prized revolver.

Is this true?

For my own purposes, I don't really ever flick the knife open, the thumbstud is more comfortable. But for closing it, the flicking motion really does feel better, somehow.

Should I break a bad habit before it gets ingrained, and just close it with the thumb and forefinger? It's just that that method tends to make my middle-to-pinky fingers fold inward, dangerously close to the path of the closing blade. Anyone else have this problem?

BTW - I don't know that I'm qualified to give an opinion, but this knife is too awesome for words...

 

[JShirley]

I'm with you. I think flicking most knives open will loosen them. Closing them quickly should be less of an issue.

John

 

[OregonJohnny]

Well, for reference, my Mini Griptilian lock mechanism broke after probably 1,000 of these hard flick open/closed motions (it used to be a boredom habit during work). After Benchmade fixed it (for free, of course - with a sharpen), I tend to open with a slow thumb motion. I still usually snap it closed using the old method. So my answer is - keep this habit to a minimum, but Benchmade will fix whatever breaks for free for life, I believe.

 

[Blackhawk30]

I used to flip open a Case Sharktooth back in the day and after 10 yrs there was a little play in the lockup buy it was still useable.I flipped open a Cold Steel Recon for about a year and it had not loosened.I wouldn't worry about your Benchmade.You can always send it back or buy a new one if it gets loose.

 

[Claymore1500]

Anytime metal "hits" metal, there is peening involved, the severity of peening will depend on the force of the impact, so yes a knife can work loose with repetitive flipping.

The act of flipping it closed can damage the edge if it can come in contact with the inside of the spine of the knife.

On the "Upside" you may well get away with it for decades before it becomes evident,depending on the knife, naturally.

Years ago, I had a stiletto type auto, it had been "played with" so much the pin had worn out, one day the button got pushed and the blade went sailing acrossed the room.

 

[JTW Jr.]

I have friends that feel the need to open their folders with a sheeple attracting "thwack" every time they need to use their knife. Which of course frightens most non knife folks, does little to paint us in a "non ninja" light.

Do it when you have to, but please don't think you look cool doing it.

And yes metal on metal contact will cause wear, not sometimes, not maybe , but always. The wear may be small, but over time, expect it to add up.

 

[Owen Sparks]

I saw a guy in a bar flick open a knife and managed to fling it across the room. This was just before the bouncers beat the crap out of him.

 

[armoredman]

Hmm, I got my Benchmade to loosen uo to make a fast flick, but now I just open it as a normal knife. Save the "flick" for a time when I really need it right now.

 

[Owen Sparks]

Most of the high end folding knives come with a lifetime warranty so if you must flick, damages from wear are covered.

 

[shiftyer1]

My teenage step daughter had a habit of slamming her bedroom door, didn't take long the knob was worn out.

For me repairs are an annoyance most of the time so I tend to open and close my knives a little more gently. Although a quality slip joint snaps closed pretty good on it's own and last a long time.

They will loosen up, but if you like to flick em' I think that would be an advantage.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Hell, I don't even let my autos fully open from the spring most of the time. I'm not the least bit interested in sending one back for warranty if I can go a bit easy on it. For that matter, I get attached to my knives and one manufacturer is now outa business to boot.

 

[hso]

I'm a flipper and I haven't seen any damage on knives of reasonable quality.

 

[rcmodel]

Same here.

I have seen no evidence of damage to any of my Benchmades over the years.

And my Benchmade auto's do the flipping just as hard all by themselves.

rc

 

[DickP]

Do it when you have to, but please don't think you look cool doing it.

Geez, I thought my original post was perfectly clear, but yes, just to reiterate, I do walk in stealth and am one with the shadows and darkness - in fact, that's me behind you right now... SHA-SHAHH!!

 

[JAshley73]

I have to seriously question the folks who are suggesting that a fast flick open will hurt the knife. Have any of you actually ever seen an Axis-Lock from Benchmade?

The short answer is: No. Flicking that knife open and closed as hard you can aint' gonna hurt it...

The long answer is: No, it'll be fine. If you are a physics nut, notice that the blade weighs an ounce or two at best, and hard as we may try, we're not actually moving the blade that fast when we flick it open and closed. Do the math (if you must) and you'll find that you're probably only subjecting the parts to, maybe a 3lb-ft load at most. (An approximate guess...) The hardened blade, Axis-rod, and even the hardened liners will not even bat an eye at this kind of force...

And wear? Well, the Axis-lock compensates for that too. (Not that it actually ever will...) The locking surface on the blade is actually a ramp, so once the surface actually does wear, the Axis-rod just rides a little further up the ramp to achieve lockup. Same thing with the closed position too - The Axis-rod adjusts for slack there too...

Honestly, the Axis-lock is an engineering acomplishment that could be considered WAY overkill for something as simple as a folding knife. But it is marvelous, and it has spoiled me as a knife user. After owning Benchmades for a few years, I'll probably buy only Balisong's and Axis-locks from now on.

And to the DickP, that is a very beautiful knife- you're luck to have one!

 

[kim breed]

To flick or not to flick.
They are your knives, flick them if you want. It will shorten their life a little but companies warranties should cover it. You can always buy another one if it goes beyond repair.

 

[meef]

My teenage step daughter had a habit of slamming her bedroom door, didn't take long the knob was worn out.

Just an observation, if a little off topic...

One of my teenage daughters had that particular annoying little habit too.

It's amazing how removing the door from the hinges and storing it in the garage for six months can cure them of the tendency to do such things.

And it set a wonderful example for the rest of the kids who might be tempted to do their own little petulant door-slamming routines.

::We now return you to your regularly scheduled on topic thread discussion::

 

[zhyla]

And wear? Well, the Axis-lock compensates for that too. (Not that it actually ever will...) The locking surface on the blade is actually a ramp, so once the surface actually does wear, the Axis-rod just rides a little further up the ramp to achieve lockup. Same thing with the closed position too - The Axis-rod adjusts for slack there too...

I don't have any axis lock knives but I have a couple SOG arc locks. The mechanism is very similar, including the ramp where the arc stud lands. I agree, it should be self adjusting up to a point. But I don't think the wear here is any different whether the blade is thrown open fast or not.

The "flick" does smack the rear of the blade against a 2nd (fixed) stud. Presumably flicking would increase the deformation of these surfaces. But I think you put a lot more force on this when cutting something stiff.

 

[JShirley]

The Spyderco Ball Bearing Lock uses a round BB, so it self-adjusts as it wears.

 

[shiftyer1]

Meef, that was my cure also. lol