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Flippin’ Whatsit?!

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 6:06 am
by zoogirl
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I picked up this little oddball at the flea market for a buck. The tip of the blade was broken off so I just rounded it and gave it a bit of a point. It’s surprisingly sharp. When open, it’s very solid.
There are no markings at all. I just thought the way it flips around was kind of cool.
Any ideas?

Re: Flippin’ Whatsit?!

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 7:12 am
by Miller Bro's
Here you go :wink:

Re: Flippin’ Whatsit?!

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 7:26 am
by zoogirl
I do believe you’re right. Thanks! Sheffield, eh? I was expecting to hear it was a China Cheapie. It’s too bad the markings are totally gone. I’ll go look it up, now that I have some idea where to look!

Re: Flippin’ Whatsit?!

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 3:01 pm
by RobesonsRme.com
I don't know the originator, I will certainly yield to Dimitri on that, but I think there was an American maker of that style knife.

Charlie Noyes

Re: Flippin’ Whatsit?!

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 3:19 pm
by jmh58
Just a heads up.. A.G. Russell has one in his catalog for 49.95.. Funny Folder.. Titanium.. VG. 10 steel..
John :D

Re: Flippin’ Whatsit?!

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 6:14 pm
by zoogirl
I don’t thinks it’s a Watts, now that I take a closer look. The frame is wider. I did google Watts and came up with some posts on another forum. There was one pic of mine but it was with another knife and the poster was talking about that one and didn’t ID mine! About all I’m finding is ones tha aren’t it.

Re: Flippin’ Whatsit?!

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 6:25 pm
by Steve Warden
jmh58 wrote:Just a heads up.. A.G. Russell has one in his catalog for 49.95.. Funny Folder.. Titanium.. VG. 10 steel..
John :D
THAT'S where I saw it. Wracking my brain trying to remember where I had seen it. ::cb::

Re: Flippin’ Whatsit?!

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 6:59 pm
by toolboy
Have a couple USA made ones, looks like they were made to use

Re: Flippin’ Whatsit?!

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 7:52 pm
by zoogirl
Much closer!

Re: Flippin’ Whatsit?!

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 7:57 pm
by knife7knut
B&B and Executive Edge made them as well as several other companies. Commonly known as a "funny folder" they were popularized by custom knife maker Ted Dowell in the 1970's.The smaller ones were promotional gimmicks to be given away by various companies to promote their products. Larger versions were made by Smith & Wesson(pre-China)in both single and double edge versions.Stanley Tools even offered a version with a replaceable blade.I also have a letter opener that has one in the handle and a large letter opener that operates the same way. I think I did a post awhile back on them;if not I will post some up.

Re: Flippin’ Whatsit?!

Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2021 5:39 pm
by OLDE CUTLER
I picked up one of these "flippers" from my buddy Sundog for a future 7th round draft choice the other day. Is was made by and is marked "B & B St. Paul Minn USA", and is also marked with the advertisement "Omaha Hardwood Lumber Co".
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Re: Flippin’ Whatsit?!

Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2021 7:11 pm
by jerryd6818
I vaguely remember having one of these YEARS ago. Don't have a clue what happened to it.

Re: Flippin’ Whatsit?!

Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2021 8:33 pm
by knife7knut
Here is a group picture of different models. The top two are by Stanley Tools(10-059). The second from the top left side is a John Watts Sheffield.Below that is an unmarked one that is very thin and below it are three Executive Edge models.These usually were made with a brass cover.On the other sde below the Stanley is an unmarked(!)folder that is a salesman's sample.Below it are a couple Executive Edge and B&B knives. The bottom one came in it's original box.

Re: Flippin’ Whatsit?!

Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2021 9:13 pm
by Reverand
Mine is also made by B&B, St Paul Minnesota.
I have seen them around on ebay, but this is the only one I have held. I assume they were inexpensive since most that I have seen were advertising knives. Still, it is well made and fun.
A man's version of a Fidget Spinner!

Re: Flippin’ Whatsit?!

Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2021 11:14 pm
by Ridgegrass
I used to have one. Maybe GITZ ??
J.O'.

Re: Flippin’ Whatsit?!

Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2021 12:17 am
by treefarmer
Miss Ann, I have one of those "Flippin' Whatsit" knives, too. :)
Mine has a stamp on the brass part the reads: L.T. DOBEY Co. Inc. and above the pivot, in an arc, EXECUTIVE and below Made in U.S.A. This one appears to not have been sharpened.
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Treefarmer

Re: Flippin’ Whatsit?!

Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2021 1:12 am
by knife7knut
Ridgegrass wrote: Sat Jan 23, 2021 11:14 pm I used to have one. Maybe GITZ ??
J.O'.
Gitz made a sliding blade knife.

Re: Flippin’ Whatsit?!

Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2021 7:31 pm
by Ridgegrass
Thanks. I have a bunch of them. Just thought I remembered the "Whatzzit" being one too. Maybe not ? J.O'.