Button or hole?

S

streak

Joined
Dec 30, 2002
Messages
97
I have carried a Spyderco knife for many years (and a BM AFCK now and again) and have become very used to the uncomplicated way in which it opens using the thumb hole.
I have some cold steel folders and out of curiosity, I also recently bought one of the SRM 710's. Really well made specially for the price and I tried carrying it for a few days.

I found myself really struggling to open these knives using the thumb button.

Is it a case of "of course thumb hole knives will always be easier to open" or is there some kind of getting used to/technique to make the thumb button knives as easy.
 
You just have to get used to them.
Those who are used to thumb studs find the thumb hole odd and difficult to deal with at first.
So it's the same thing.
I have and use both.
The thumb hole is easier, if the knife is smooth. But that's my opinion.
I usually always carried a flipper or a thumb hole knife, so getting used to studs again was different, but now, it doesn't matter either way and I like both.
 
streak, I gotta say I'm impressed. I didn't think someone could be a registered member of BF for over 10 years and refer to a thumb stud as a "thumb button". ;):p

As for your question, I can't say for sure. My wife has always preferred thumb studs over Spyderco's round opening hole. Me, I'm the opposite. I think it has to do with how small her fingers are; she can't seem to "catch" the opening hole as easily as she can a thumb stud.

Opening holes are vastly superior to me personally (key words there, folks), but I'm quite comfortable with my knives that use thumb studs. A person can get used to anything given enough time. Use thumb studs for a while and you'll likely get the knack.
 
I honestly don't care about it being a spyderco hole or a thumb stud.

When it comes to holes though, bigger = better......I like the PM2 & manix2 hole. I don't much care for the yojimbo2 hole......if that makes any difference.

What I do care about is how well it opens one handed.....I.E. how well it "flicks." I have noticed that lock-back knives are my nemesis in that regard. I really really really want to love the delica, but when it comes down to it I have hated that knife on the 4 occasions I bought one. Great blade, hated the action after I realized that there were other options.

I honestly prefer less great steel in a great opening blade as compared to a knife that is a bear to open that has awesome steel...if those are the only 2 options provided.
 
co556guy said:
What I do care about is how well it opens one handed.....I.E. how well it "flicks." I have noticed that lock-back knives are my nemesis in that regard. I really really really want to love the delica, but when it comes down to it I have hated that knife on the 4 occasions I bought one. Great blade, hated the action after I realized that there were other options.
Click to expand...

I've read others say this as well. I've owned a half-dozen Delicas and about the same number of Enduras over the years and I've never found one I couldn't quickly and easily flick open, first time, every time. Same goes for my Native and Salt. Maybe the Delica is just too small for your hands for this method? Have you tried an Endura?

That said, I'm finding that the longer I own knives the less inclined I am to flick them. When I first started buying one-handers I wanted 'em fast and flick-tastic. Now about the only knives I flick are my work knife (easier in gloves for me) and my flippers... and my interest in flippers has waned at an alarming rate over the past 2-3 years. My knives' locks will probably thank me but I'm not sure why I've gravitated away from flicking them.
 
allyourblood said:
streak, I gotta say I'm impressed. I didn't think someone could be a registered member of BF for over 10 years and refer to a thumb stud as a "thumb button". ;):p

As for your question, I can't say for sure. My wife has always preferred thumb studs over Spyderco's round opening hole. Me, I'm the opposite. I think it has to do with how small her fingers are; she can't seem to "catch" the opening hole as easily as she can a thumb stud.

Opening holes are vastly superior to me personally (key words there, folks), but I'm quite comfortable with my knives that use thumb studs. A person can get used to anything given enough time. Use thumb studs for a while and you'll likely get the knack.
Click to expand...

That's funny. Most of those 10 years have been living in S Africa, there are a bunch things that I have had to learn to change since moving to San Diego.
We drive on the road and walk on the pavement. We post letters in the post box, we fetch our kids from school and doing things just now means sometime between now and next week.
And now thumb stud=thumb button!

I agree on the larger the hole the better (take your mind out of the gutter). Military my favourite I mean favorite.
 
streak said:
That's funny. Most of those 10 years have been living in S Africa, there are a bunch things that I have had to learn to change since moving to San Diego.
We drive on the road and walk on the pavement. We post letters in the post box, we fetch our kids from school and doing things just now means sometime between now and next week.
And now thumb stud=thumb button!

I agree on the larger the hole the better (take your mind out of the gutter). Military my favourite I mean favorite.
Click to expand...

Hey, cool! A fellow SD member! And yep, I dig the larger-sized Spyderco round opening holes as well. The Manix 2 and PM2 are absolutely perfect in my eyes.
 
As far as opening the knife goes it doesn't matter much after you do it once all night watching tv or something. Your large brain learns what muscles to twitch when. Practice makes perfect they say. My Delica, Endura and Tenacious were all a bit tough to open when new. After months of use and lube they are so much smoother and easier to open. I don't flick open any lock back. They are prone enough to some play, flicking is asking for trouble... it must accelerate wear. My Griptilain opens so smooth it's ridiculous. I polished the bushings and lubed it a while back. If you hold the axis bar back and rotate the handle the blade always points straight down. Both opening methods are great!

Here is where I make the distinction for opening type. The hole doesn't interfere with cutting at all. The media moves past as if the blade was continuous. The thumb studs have got snagged in cardboard and my oranges. It's rare that the studs get in the way but it happens. My wifes minigrip got holes because I knew the short blade needed all the length possible without the studs getting in the way. She has zero issues with the hole and can whip out my full grip like a champ!

This is why I dislike the Manix/Dragonfly style blade with the choil. In cut test video after video inevitably the choil hangs up on the cut media. It sure has a purpose but it also can get in the way.
 
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