Always thinking forward to the next knife, after I get some of the Kuros folders sold I plan on launching this one, a front flipper. I have had a lot of input from @Sharp & Fiery as he's a front flipper fanatic and I've had a bunch of good folders come through my hands to pick which features I like and dislike. Looking for this to be a 3.15" blade. I will post pics here as it comes together. I've finally learned enough on Fusion 360 to make my own folder and all the features needed. If you guys have any input or thoughts I would love to hear them!!!
On front flippers you really want them on the outside on a frame lock so you have a good index point and extra traction when opening. But thanks for chiming in!!
I guess so, you’re right front flipping isn’t a natural motion like thumb stud opening for many people. It is something you kind of got to get muscle memory on and it can be tricky for some people. I was thinking more for unpocketing reasons since sometimes a clip spanning over a lockbar cut out like that can get stuck on the pocket lip as you draw it.
Thanks for the input You are right, it definitely won't be for everyone opening wise. But, I'm planning on getting it dialed in perfect to where there wouldn't really be hardly any learning curve (detent and action wise). That's a great point on snagging! I hadn't thought about that... I'm actually planning on having one proto made and carry it for a bit before I go ahead with the run. So that will let me decide if and what the final changes need to be!
You know me, I've always got input... This looks perfect though. If I had any real critique it would be that at first glance the lock bar relief looks like it might be a tad high for ring finger placement. I would probably also lose the hard choil on the heel in favor of a more sebenza-esque ramp. Those small diameter choils tend to snag fibrous material and annoy me. Those are two super small observations though and neither would effect my decision to purchase. I think you've got a winner here Josh. It looks unique without sacrificing utility or comfort. Might you consider a damasteel option? This seems to be a smaller, lighter folder. A "dress" option would be cool.
I like the look of it ... I have never owned a front flipper so I can't give any feedback on that part at all ... I have been I interested in a front flipper but just never have found one when I was looking to buy. I don't normally have much issue with clips snagging ... but I can see what T.L.E. mentioned ... I guess that would depend on how snug the clip is. But I think you have a nice design ... for my uses a bit of belly like that blade has would be a bonus.
Excellent points, thank you! Yeah I agree about the choil, I'll change that up a little so if it does snag it will slip right up onto the edge. Regarding the relief position, yes it may be a tad high but I had a shamwari here I was messing around with when figuring out placement and while higher than where the shamwari was it seemed to be in a perfect position for the ring finger. But... I will have to get a proto in hand and use it before the final determination. A prototype is invaluable in designing folders! Thanks Justin! Yeah I have the clip riding on the flat portion of the scale so hopefully that will be prevented, but I will also likely chamfer the relief area to help as well
My favorite design of yours so far, although it's smaller than I'd ever use. Maybe a touch less belly, especially on a small blade. I usually don't like internal stop pins, because they are more complicated, expensive and weaker than an external stop pin. I still remember a Spyderco Southard that broke because of this design, but it's such a rare problem that it may not be important. It does look better. I've never tried a front flipper, but it looks interesting. The front flipper and internal stop pin really gives the knife a clean design. Like it a lot.
Thanks for the input! The reason I went w/ an internal pin on this one was because I didn't want to be limited with the blade width when it comes to sharpening/choil issues and also so I could wrap the jimping all the way around the tang. Emerson's and other knives have the issue where, once you sharpen back to the bottom of the choil you will develop detent rock because you have removed metal from the closing stop pin position. I left about 1/16" of metal there on the closing stop pin position but I figure that's enough because when closing there is not going to be a ton of force on the knife - I am much more concerned with the metal on the other side of the lock (when in the open position). What I will likely do is make a second larger model at some point, it's not too difficult to scale everything up 10-20% so that is cool
YES PLEASE! Sign me up for one The only thing that caught my eye was the cut-out for the lock, but that has been addressed allready. Checking the pics closely, placement of the cut-out and the clip will not provide problems, such as for example the Spyderco Drunken... Looks great and I would be happy to order one.
Got permission from Brian Nadeau to use his integral detent nub I may change it up a little bit but here is how it stands now!
Did some more work on the CAD today... Canted the clip slightly to clear the lockbar relief area more as well as a better ride in the right hand carry position Also am incorporating an asymmetrical clip contact point which will also help clear the lockbar relief area as well as make inserting and removing from the pocket easier... a lot of shiro's do this (which is where I got the idea). I'm sure @Sharp & Fiery and @ChazzyP can attest to how well this idea works! Chamferred the relief area did away with a little jimping where it wasn't needed and added some weight relief pockets then modded the detent nub a bit more in line with Brian Nadeau's since I'm fortunate enough to have his permission on this folder! it's coming together
@razor-edge-knives Wow Josh! You have put a lot of thought into this knife, along with being willing to listen to other enthusiasts suggestions. Its really going to be a blade to be proud of!! Heck, I’d be proud already if i were you. I do love the asymmetrical pocket clip nub...its excellent. So glad you did away with some if the un-needed jimping...cleans it right up. As you know, im so excited for this project of yours to be released, and glad you are taking your time. I can just imagine the flipping action and the smooth detent already. Its gonna be an awesome front flipper, ready for real world use! Keep ‘em coming!
Looking good Josh, can you give any insight on the detent, spring loaded? Nice to see a lanyard hole to be able to pull out of pocket, hopefully under the 4.5 oz. Looking forward to seeing this in person!
The SBD (Sharp by design) integral detent nub basically allows for smooth riding with no detent ball bump when closing, and the one I've checked out has been extremely smooth. I'll probably have it sitting .020" out of the insert which will also lower lock bar tension a bit compared to a regular detent ball which sits out about .025-.027" typically. Every little bit helps! I think I'll be able to hit that mark no problem weight wise... Esp. With the weight reduction pockets and a full flat grind (or almost)