I will admit that based on my experience with the Skyline as well as the SOG Mini Vulcan, I'm just not a flipper guy.
First off I'll say I'm not trying to be offensive with any of my reply here.
Right away your video proved the above out John, both with your knife vocabulary and technique.
I prefer thumb studs - it's simply a matter of personal preference. The beauty of a knife like the SOG Mini Vulcan is, it offers both options. Both are designed an executed on the Mini Vulcan in such a way that they're both legitimately functional. The same cannot be said of the Skyline, IMHO.
I know where you're coming from here John. Your knife skills are fairly elementary, and you are comfortable with what you know. Not all thumbstud openers work the same. A liner lock with a thumstud vs. a frame lock with a thumstud are two different animals. If you try to open them identically, you will struggle with the frame lock, as your grip will put pressure against the lock thus rendering it nearly impossible to open. New users get comfortable with one style, they like it and it works of them. Any knife that goes against that comfort zone and that they can't fluently use on the first time is frustrating, and "not as good" as what they've been programmed for.
Others graduate and understand in more detail the intended use of specific features. Out of the box, they see the piece for what it is, have experience enough to envision (I'll speak specific to our topic here), that these Skyline studs are those of a blade stop. A seasoned knife user understands the build, and the intention, can conform to the knife, and enjoy it from that standpoint.
Had they been, then no "customer education" would be necessary.
Customer education isn't necessary with the true enthusiast. As I said, they see it right away, process what's in there hand, move forward with that knowledge, wisdom, and enjoy with big smiles on their face.
Most that get there first manual thumbstud opener, have issues. Opening it via these studs are foreign at first. Many people really struggle with their grip and dexterity with these one hand openers. A short learning curve later, and it's second nature. It's the same with other "non-traditional" openers, it's just a short learning curve to level up.
Hell it took me literally hours to get down the most simple opening move with the Kershaw E.T. I was so pissed about this damn knife moving me to use my hands differently, taking my mind completely out of it's little box it was so comfortable in. Butterfly knife as well. I'm sure glad I stuck with it, and appreciated the knives in ways I never thought.
I'll stereotype a little bit here and say that some folks that own (spent their own money) on more than one knife, think they are some sort of an expert when in fact they're not. They are at an elementary stage of which they are in a bit of denial about. Some graduate, some don't. Some want to move forward, some don't. Some make video's, some don't. It's all cool, but let's not fool ourselves.
I think the Skyline would have benefited from this sort of a design philosophy. Put the blade stop only on one side, and don't make it look like a thumb stud.
Not trying to upset you here John, but you're showing your novice side with quotes like these. A knife build has to be a certain way, and to produce the Skyline as you describe would be an epic fail.
Options are a good thing. I like options.
We like options as well, and understand customers do to. As jonnygroove proved in his video, the Skyline can pose a dual threat. It can for you as well. Can we look for you to put some time into the piece and do us up another video showing how much you've conformed to the knife?
Start with a good design and execution of that design, and the need for this level of education is largely negated.
Experience, understanding, and will willingness to change assists as well.
