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Patrick Famin’s Latest Knife Blends Old and New Flipper Designs

December 18, 2018

Patrick Famin’s latest custom project is the Vento, a custom knife that incorporates both a front and a back flipper. The multiple opening methods both nod to trends of the moment and provide an homage to a classic European pocket knife.

Those who are only familiar with Famin’s recent collaboration with Eric Demongivert, the Vital, might be surprised to learn the Vento is a relatively large knife, available in with either a 3.7- or 4-inch blade, made from a trio of desirable high-end steels: M390, CTS 204P, or Damasteel. The size class puts the Vento into a classic custom knife size class, which Famin says opens it up to a spread of different applications for those who will be carrying it as well as collecting it. “This knife is a tactical everyday carry knife.”

Work Sharp

Two different blade sizes are accompanied by two different locks as well: liner or frame. Either way, expect the tool’s body itself to be made of primarily titanium, including a sweeping, skeletonized pocket clip. Since the debut of the Vento prototype at BLADE earlier this year, Famin has played with bolster-style construction, incorporating other materials as inlays, and done some milling, sculpting, and anodizing on full titanium versions.

The Vento’s defining characteristic is the inclusion of both a front flipper and a back flipper, offering users different options when it comes to opening their knife. This flexibility was a key part of Famin’s drive to bring this knife to fruition after a year in development. Along with Demongivert he designed the ZPS pivot system as well, and says that in his work, finding a crossroads where innovation and utility can meet is tantamount. “In my opinion innovation is very important, but before doing any you have to remember the priority of a knife is to be sharp, secure and easy to open.”

European users might recognize the front flipper as a nod to classic French and Italian Piemontese knives. These knives are loosely grouped together and often vary widely, but one characteristic that can be seen is an extended tang that functions as a front opener tab. Famin wanted to create a knife that would unite this opening method with modern front flipper speed, along with a spin-aligned flipper too. “Most of the people in Europe are used to opening their knives with a front tang friction folder and in the US with a flipper, so I started to work on a prototype with a front flipper for the European market and back flipper for the US market,” he explains.

Already a success, the handmade Vento will be getting a further expansion in the future. Famin has confirmed that a smaller version with a 3.2 inch blade is already in the works.

Knife featured in image: Patrick Famin Knives Vento

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