The Medford USMC Fighter Flipper is Misunderstood

kylemiller

kylemiller

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Knife shopping in person affords one opportunity to like things they never thought they would. My impression of the Medford USMC Fighter Flipper from pictures was that of novelty. It looked like a truer homage to the KaBar fighting knife than the similarly birthed ZT 0223, but it didn't look practical.

So I was strolling through a knife store when I reached the Medford counter and wanted to check out the Slim Midi's. Impressed with the grind quality and look I considered buying one. The gentlemen behind the counter insisted I check out the USMC Fighter Flipper. I chucked and thought "sure, this will be good for a laugh", but I did not laugh. In fact I decided not to give the knife back at all. The powerful handles were one thing, I'm a sucker for pommels and breakers, but it was the blade that won me over. I have soft spot for fullers, but it was specifically how thin the grind was. I imagine if you ordered a custom fixed blade with these dimensions and blade shape and asked for the thinnest grind possible, you'd get something close to this. The edge on this knife is sticky sharp. I know Greg's knives are hand ground, and the warmth really shows here. I know it's trite, but there's something to a blade that's not CNC ground. Most likely just my delusion, but it won't stop me from appreciating it.

I included some size comparison pictures to knives most are familiar with. You'll see it's no thicker in the pocket than an SMF and just a hair longer overall than a SOCOM Elite. Making it a much easier carry than I ever imagined from pictures.

For anyone who ever liked the idea behind Zero Tolerance "Built Like a Tank" giant overbuilt knives, this is the most realized incarnation of that idea that I have handled. If you like the idea of it but are unsure about the looks, do yourself a favor and find a store that will allow you to check one out. I can't imagine any knife guy not producing a big warm smile upon first blush with this brute.
 
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Looks like a cool knife. A bit chunky for my tastes, but it is sharp looking (pun intended). I just can't bring myself to drop that kind of coin on a pocket knife when so many great options exist for way cheaper. If they ever make knives in the sub $300 price point, id jump all over it.
 
WuFluFighting said:
Looks like a cool knife. A bit chunky for my tastes, but it is sharp looking (pun intended). I just can't bring myself to drop that kind of coin on a pocket knife when so many great options exist for way cheaper. If they ever make knives in the sub $300 price point, id jump all over it.
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There are other cheaper options to be sure.
But, not near that quality.
I found that difference out myself, when I went from ZT to Hinderer.
Don't get me wrong. ZT is wonderful. But, there's a reason Hinderer, Medford, Reeve and Strider cost what they do. Imo anyways.
 
Im
MacLaren1 said:
There are other cheaper options to be sure.
But, not near that quality.
I found that difference out myself, when I went from ZT to Hinderer.
Don't get me wrong. ZT is wonderful. But, there's a reason Hinderer, Medford, Reeve and Strider cost what they do. Imo anyways.
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Im sure they're very nice, its just not really in my budget, especially considering how hard I work my knives. They get used countless times a day, and for things some would probably consider abusive. I had a Spyderco Para crushed by a bull on the farm when it got stepped on. Id cry if it was a Medford priced knife. I was upset enough over the spydie. Then again the Medford looks like it would shrug it off and keep cutting.
 
WuFluFighting said:
Im

Im sure they're very nice, its just not really in my budget, especially considering how hard I work my knives. They get used countless times a day, and for things some would probably consider abusive. I had a Spyderco Para crushed by a bull on the farm when it got stepped on. Id cry if it was a Medford priced knife. I was upset enough over the spydie. Then again the Medford looks like it would shrug it off and keep cutting.
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Lol, i hear ya. But, I sure wouldn't worry about that Medford either. Youll pass it on down the line to the next generation.
 
Those remind me of the crazy knives at gas station checkouts, but super high quality. That's not a dig--I think it's awesome.

How's she flip? Never played with a Medford flipper before.
 
MacLaren1 said:
Lol, i hear ya. But, I sure wouldn't worry about that Medford either. Youll pass it on down the line to the next generation.
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Might have to look around on the secondary market for a good user. Probably more in my price range if its a bit rough in the looks department, but still fine as far as functionality.
 
WuFluFighting said:
Might have to look around on the secondary market for a good user. Probably more in my price range if its a bit rough in the looks department, but still fine as far as functionality.
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Sounds like a good plan.
You would prolly find a super nice one too...
 
evilgreg said:
Ten ounces? Lol, no thanks--that's close to the weight of the 9mm in my pocket right now.

Just remember not to void the warranty by incorrect use (e.g. taking it apart or lubricating it).
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It's not noticeably heavier in the pocket that Adamas or even my SMF. Plus the slim profile and good clip position actually make for a comfy carry.

He's eased up the warranty to allow disassembly, but will not cover damage done during disassembly.

But I'm at a point now where I have 2 knives I hard use and self service. A Seb 21 and a M.Strider SMF. Everything else get's sent back to home base for sharpening and tuning. I can't match the tiny secondary bevel on my Microtech's and I'll be sending this Medford back for service when the day comes that it needs it. I consider it a feature. I've got plenty of knives to carry in their absence.

I've always considered disassembling knives a giant hassle (outside of CRK), so I'm a big advocate for just washing them with hot soapy water in the sink and squirting a little oil between the blade and scale. I honestly think that does 90% of the job a full disassembly and scrubbing. That aspect of the hobby never resonated with me. Actually I'd sell any knife that required constant disassembly and oiling to maintain proper function.
 
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rover said:
Those remind me of the crazy knives at gas station checkouts, but super high quality. That's not a dig--I think it's awesome.

How's she flip? Never played with a Medford flipper before.
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It requires wrist. The knife is very tightly put together and Greg uses a rather viscous marine grade grease. I expect it to have a long break in period. It's also the hardest knife to unlock I've ever handled. There's not even lock stick, just a great deal of lockbar pressure. But in this case I like since I'm really going for beef here. For the angle of appreciation I have for this knife the deployment and closing action is perfect. If it flew open and dropped shut I think it would take away some of that invincible feeling. The closing pressure is very consistent, much tight a Chris Reeve. Glassy but firm.

I wouldn't change it. The detent is hard enough that I think after if breaks in flipping it open won't require wrist, but dropping shut is never gonna happen because I don't think any living man can push the lockbar over enough let it fall free. I'm not able to overcome the detent to open it with the fuller like other non flipper Medford's.

I really plan on using this guy so I'll post a 6 month update around Christmas.
 
WuFluFighting said:
Im

Im sure they're very nice, its just not really in my budget, especially considering how hard I work my knives. They get used countless times a day, and for things some would probably consider abusive. I had a Spyderco Para crushed by a bull on the farm when it got stepped on. Id cry if it was a Medford priced knife. I was upset enough over the spydie. Then again the Medford looks like it would shrug it off and keep cutting.
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I see an On Belay, 187 and TFF all at $300 on the secondary market right now. I feel sorry for the bull that run's into one of those. They look really thick, but I was amazed at how thin the edges got of all the knives I handled at the store. Even the beefiest beefcakes got into PM2 territory behind the edge.
 
Yeah, they're all pretty dang wicked imo.
Very sharp and a lot a weight behind them.
 
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