flipper plus studs vs flipper only

A

A. G. Russell

Joined
Mar 10, 2001
Messages
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I like a flipper if it can be both unobtrusive as well as effective. I also like a stud if they can be used to snap open with the thumb.

Designers need to know if you want only one and which one or if you prefer both

thanks for your help A. G.
 
I also prefer both - one of my best knives is my XM-18 flipper with thumb studs.
 
I prefer to have both, typically thumb studs let you have a more secure grip when you're opening the knife but flippers have the fast fun factor.
 
I love flippers when they are effective yet not obtrusive. If the flipper works well I rarely find myself using the thumbstuds. I think a flipper with thumbstuds that work as blade stops is the best combination.
 
I like having both because I prefer to open flippers by using my index finger on the flipper to get it past the detent then using my thumb to open it the rest of the way.
 
i only have one flipper, an xm18. i find it a pita to open with the thumbstud, so never use it. the detent is difficult to overcome.

ive looked at some other flipper models, and i really like how clean the blade is without the thumbstud.
 
Having both is always nice :thumbup:

If I had to choose between them, I'd opt for thumb studs as they allow you to open a blade slowly and subtly instead of 'snapping' it open...then again, why choose between them when you can have the best of both worlds?
 
Another vote for both. There are times when it's fine to snap your knife open quickly with a smooth flipper, but there are other times when you may want to open your knife more slowly and less conspicuous. I just received a Brad Southard AWT and he offers both a super smooth IKBS flipper as well as dual thumbstuds. Now that is a great combination.
 
On my knives that have both, I never use the thumbstuds for opening. And the one thing I really don't like about thumbstuds is that they sometimes get in the way when sharpening or stropping, colliding with the edge of the stone/strop. And the more poorly thought-out versions create other problems, like snagging on pockets and inadvertently opening in the pocket. A friend of mine is paraplegic, in a wheel chair. For a short while, he carried a thumb stud opener in his pants pocket. He promptly gave that up after the stud snagged the inside of his pocket and exposed the tip of the blade. He had no feeling in his legs, and didn't notice it until he saw the blood stain on his pants.

Given a choice, I'd be perfectly happy with the flipper alone. And, in the case of opening the knife a little more slowly or 'discreetly', this can be done one-handed with a well-thought-out, wide and fairly deep nail knick, without the studs hanging off the side of the blade.
 
both. I don't use the flipper for opening, because that method requires a shift in grip mid-stream, as someone already noted. I use the thumb studs for opening, but I still like a flipper because it functions as a finger-guard.
 
MORIMOTOM said:
i only have one flipper, an xm18. i find it a pita to open with the thumbstud, so never use it. the detent is difficult to overcome.

ive looked at some other flipper models, and i really like how clean the blade is without the thumbstud.
Click to expand...

Sounds like your xm18 needs to be broken in !! Mine flies open with the studs , in fact its almost too easy!! Now to get back on track A flipper should only have studs if they are acting as the stop pin as well
 
softrockrenegade said:
Sounds like your xm18 needs to be broken in !! Mine flies open with the studs , in fact its almost too easy!! Now to get back on track A flipper should only have studs if they are acting as the stop pin as well
Click to expand...


no, ive had it a couple years at least.

it is plenty broken in. just has a very strong detent.
 
I have an R J Martin Overkill that is a flipper only. It took a little while

to get used to the strong detent R J uses on his flippers. Using the

flipper is easy now.

I really dont understand the need for a flipper and a thumbstud.
 
MUST have both! Even poorly placed, too close to the scales and too low studs are better than no studs.

There are times when you cannot flip open the knife--whether by reason of the people around you, gloves, space, etc. On the Kershaw Skyline, the studs can still be used if you lightly press the flipper to break the detent, then use the studs to full open.

Personally, the greatest benefit of the flipper is the finger guard.
 
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