Another thumbstud perception problem.

[Mrgauth]

While I have no issues with thumb studs per se, aesthetically, I like the clean looks of a blade without em. Would never stop me from buying a knife if I liked everything else about it though (BM Anthem for instance).
As for deployment, it is not my favorite because some makers seem to forget not all of us wear gloves at work and so many are sharp as hell. I have a bigger peeve against lockbars with virtually no access to em or edges of lockbars that are as sharp as the friggin blade.

 

[22-rimfire]

I generally dislike large protruding thumbstuds (beyond the scales). But I try to remain flexible when looking at a new knife. I don't generally care for liner locks either, but it is not a disqualifier if I like the knife overall.

 

[Cosmodragoon]

- your fingers are nowhere near the blade when opening it
- no finger oil on the blade from opening it
- no handle or blade style compromises to accomodate studs
... oxidation can develop under studs. Personal experience. I’ve cleaned rust out of 4 or so thumbstud knives...

I hadn't thought of these but that's more wood on the fire. I forgot how sometimes I'd get close to the blade with a thumb flick. I cut myself that way on a cheapo (MTech?) back in the 90s.

 

[sabre cat]

I like the stepped, ramp style thumb studs but they seem rare on knives. The Blur probably has the best thumb stud of all time...

Early Kershaw Zing models have the same ramp style as the Blur. Your right, it's the best.

Most of my folders have studs. I did not plan it that way, it's just the way it turned out.

I like the idea of Spyderco's hole but the knives don't ride well in my pocket so I guess the thumb stud seems to be the way for me.

What about flippers you ask? I have two knives that offer flipper capabilities. Both are Kershaw Zings. Thumb studs and flippers! The best of both worlds.

 

[fjblair]

Flick, flip or thumb stud is okay, but I prefer the flip.

 

[filtrum]

Yeah . I like it when my knives can look back at me and even better when they can wave !

Dat eyelash though

 

[filtrum]

I go hard like Vladimir Putin

How to dislike a post at bf?

 

[filtrum]

That’s a long-ass phase. It’s been, what, 12+ years of ever-increasing-quality production flippers? I think they’re here to stay, my dude.

Flippers are convenient and enjoyable (for some, not everyone), and studless knives have some inherent features I like:
- blades can fully seat into the handle
- no part on the blade where crap accumulates or catches
- your fingers are nowhere near the blade when opening it
- no finger oil on the blade from opening it
- no handle or blade style compromises to accomodate studs


Also, oxidation can develop under studs. Personal experience. I’ve cleaned rust out of 4 or so thumbstud knives.

I don’t dislike thumbstud knives, and not every knife would be better as a flipper, but I do definitely enjoy opening and closing flippers considerably more.

I think people want their preferred opening method to somehow be inarguably better, but, it really is just what you like. Most common lock types and opening methods have distinct advantages and disadvantages that make them better suited to the user, but not objectively superior.

Am not done reading yet, but great post, thnx!

 

[jceckrosh]

In a world where you finally get your all black sterile invisible in the dark none more black knife, how would you even see the thumbstuds to know your knife was not simple or blind? They would be equally black sightless eyes! I don't see how you can long for the complete absence of light and color in a knife yet it needs "eyes"? Ridiculous. A true blacker than black knife would be proud of it's blindness and simple-osity!

 

[PirateSeulb]

I avoid thumbstuds like the plague. I can understand peoples issues with flippers but to me there is nothing wrong with them but that is a debate for another thread I think. I find that thumbstubs tend to get in the way and uncomfortable to use. I don't mind when the thumb stubs land in a cutout of the handle resulting in a more flush look when open this some one remedies the issue of them being in the way.

 

[Weiss]

I don't mind thumb studs. Then again, maybe it's these darn studly thumbs...

 

[K.O.D.]

I have large thumbs and bad arthritis. Most thumbstuds are beveled (Benchmade, CRK) and I just have a hard time with.

I don't buy knives with studs now. Exception being southern grind and tsf.

Flippers are the easiest, then Spydie holes.

 

[CableGirl]

I cant say I ever devoted that much of my attention to whether a knife had a thumbstud or not. I usually just look at materials and execution. If I see one I like I adapt to it. I pride myself in learning and becoming proficient at as many modes of operation that I can. I do see the point of a stud getting in the way of utilizing the full length of the blade when slicing on some models and I rarely use them on Axis locks but I never passed on a knife that had one based on its presence alone.

This post prompted me to look through my collection and it appears I have pretty close to an equal split between holes, studs, flipper tabs and nail nicks.

 

[Biochemdawg]

I feel like thumbstuds are hard to do great.. whether or not they are present never bothered me, really. Nor do I mind if it only has a single lug.

Recently I’ve been carrying the Benchmade 765, which is a great knife with a poor thumbstud.. when I think of my favorite thumbstud, I guess the Maxpedition excelsa is how I wish all thumbstuds were. Textured for a good grip at a nice slant. It’s flawless.

 

[OrangeBlueOrangeBlue]

I like thumb studs best when they touch the handle when open thereby protecting against side to side play. See Kershaw skyline.

CRKT M-16 has “thumb studs” that are actually the stop pin. Double duty.

That’s a long-ass phase. It’s been, what, 12+ years of ever-increasing-quality production flippers? I think they’re here to stay, my dude.

Flippers are convenient and enjoyable (for some, not everyone), and studless knives have some inherent features I like:
- blades can fully seat into the handle
- no part on the blade where crap accumulates or catches
- your fingers are nowhere near the blade when opening it
- no finger oil on the blade from opening it
- no handle or blade style compromises to accomodate studs


Also, oxidation can develop under studs. Personal experience. I’ve cleaned rust out of 4 or so thumbstud knives.

I don’t dislike thumbstud knives, and not every knife would be better as a flipper, but I do definitely enjoy opening and closing flippers considerably more.

I think people want their preferred opening method to somehow be inarguably better, but, it really is just what you like. Most common lock types and opening methods have distinct advantages and disadvantages that make them better suited to the user, but not objectively superior.

Got my first flipper in 2002, so at least 17 years.

 

[dsalazar]

I like opening a nice manual folder with thumb studs. Being able to open it slpwely and feel how smooth it is.

 

[K.O.D.]

CRKT M-16 has “thumb studs” that are actually the stop pin. Double duty.



Got my first flipper in 2002, so at least 17 years.

My first flipper was a CRKT M16 as well, the 12Z variant I believe. Flipped terribly, and was the only knife I've ever had the lock fail on.

Quite a few knives have an external stop pin that looks like a stud but is in the wrong position for that use. Strider and my Kizer Ki4423 come to mind.

My folding cheese knife, the nomnomzaan, will use an oblong hole opener. Still have yet to finish it. I get 1/3 through and end up eating it.