Assisted opener with a thumbhole?

I don't think there are any. It'd be an odd combination of features -- seems like your thumb would impede the blade opening once the assisted opening takes over. (Using a thumbnail flick to get the blade started might get around this problem, though.)
 
Don't know if there are any. At any rate, it'd be largely unnecessary anyway. In Spyderco's case, their thumbhole makes opening just as easy & quick as any assisted opener, and much less mechanically complex.

Spyderco makes an automatic with a (smaller) hole in the blade, but it's their trademark. Mainly there for show.
 
neuron said:
I don't think there are any. It'd be an odd combination of features -- seems like your thumb would impede the blade opening once the assisted opening takes over. (Using a thumbnail flick to get the blade started might get around this problem, though.)
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Hit the nail on the head. With my AO Blur I just give the stud a small push and the AO leaves my thumb in the dust. A Spyderco-esque hole on an AO knife would stop the AO from taking over and opening the knife.
 
It seems like it kind of defeats the purpose of assistance, because with a thumbstud or flipper, your finger or thumb contacts and pushes or pulls on the outside, while with a hole, your finger goes in to push. seems like having the back of a hole grab my thumb would be pretty uncomfortable. the only way that it could work is if the rim of the hole was slanted, and then it would be too hard to operate with gloves. that is just my $.02.
 
neuron said:
I don't think there are any. It'd be an odd combination of features -- seems like your thumb would impede the blade opening once the assisted opening takes over. (Using a thumbnail flick to get the blade started might get around this problem, though.)
Click to expand...

HarglBargl said:
Hit the nail on the head. With my AO Blur I just give the stud a small push and the AO leaves my thumb in the dust. A Spyderco-esque hole on an AO knife would stop the AO from taking over and opening the knife.
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For someone with smallish hands/fingers, I could see one's thumb/nail actually getting caught/bound just enough in the large-ish hole, and potentially creating a hazard of losing control of the knife, if the opening assist were very strong at all. Even if such a knife were available, I doubt I'd use the hole to open it. I don't like thumbstuds on A/O knives for similar reasons. If the thumbstud gets away from your thumb during opening, it leaves the tip of the thumb (while still pushing) dangerously close to the edge. I've been bitten once or twice that way (tip of thumb, or the knuckle of the thumb).
 
IIRC Sal has said on the forums that spyderco won't be makein any assisted openers, so you won't see any assisted knives with holes from them at least.

I like the idea of a manual flipper with an opening hole, but Sal also said he doesn't plan on making any of those either.
 
thegeek574 said:
It seems like it kind of defeats the purpose of assistance, because with a thumbstud or flipper, your finger or thumb contacts and pushes or pulls on the outside, while with a hole, your finger goes in to push. seems like having the back of a hole grab my thumb would be pretty uncomfortable. the only way that it could work is if the rim of the hole was slanted, and then it would be too hard to operate with gloves. that is just my $.02.
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In many knives the thumbstuds serve are blade stops. It keeps the knife from over extending. If you have not tried a Spyderco knife, I'd recommend one. You can see for yourself the ease in which they are opened.
 
Considering it's my first experience with the "spydie hole" (Manix 2) I am amazed at how quickly and effortlessly a spydie can be opened. I don't see a point in having a thumbhole/AO combination.
 
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