Flipper Vs. Speed Assisted Thumb Stud

[nianni]

I've never purchased a knife that was speed assisted or had a flipper, and I was curious - which do you prefer? I am looking at the ZT0200 (flipper, dual thumb stud) and the ZT0300 (flipper, speed assisted dual thumb stud) and was curious what everyone elses takes on the opening mechanism were. My only worry is that the precision parts in a speed assisted stud would be easily broken - is that the case?

Thanks for your advice,
Noah

 

[Esav Benyamin]

For me, if it's got a flipper, the flipper is easier to use than the thumbstuds. Many flipper knives don't actually have thumbstuds, they have external bladestops that can sometimes be used as thumbstuds, but not easily.

Autos and assisted openers are optimized for fast opening and are not likely to take damage from it. While AO is fun, I don't look for it. I do like flippers, though.

Between the ZT 200 and 300, I like the 200 better. It's more compact, easier for me to hold, with a more useful blade. The 300 is too bulky.

 

[Mark Schmitt]

I'v had several of both but the standard thumb stud (or hole, or disk, or Bandit, etc.) is better than the assist. Simpler, more robust, and less lubrication sensitive...plus the grip change is more dramatic with the assisted opening verions - not good.

One major downside to the "assisted thumbstud" is that if you get lazy pushing the stud the blade will accelerate ahead of your thumb and the pad of your thumb will land, not on the stud, but the edge of the blade. Not fun.

I like the Wave with a thumb disk ala Emerson models (Commander is my current fave, an oldie but a goodie).

Mark

 

[Phydeaux]

I have a Boker 2073 (Michael Walker). Its a very quick liner lock. I cut some twine off some lumber and had my Boker back in my pocket so fast that someone thought it was a retractable utliliy knife. He was amazed when I pulled out the Boker.

 

[Irie2]

I have several kershaw speed safe knifes, and there tough, never noticed any fragillity in the opening mechanism. That said.. i prefer to carry manual opening knifes because i can open them almost or as fast, and its less attention getting

 

[19-Delta]

The 300 has the speed safe "flipper" opening mechanism. The "thumb-studs" are more for a blade stop than for actually using your thumb to open the knife. I have carried and used a CRKT M-16 on my current deployment. It is opened by a "flipper" there have been several times where because of gloves, rain, mud or lack of sleep, I have "flipped" the blade and it failed to open. This has never happened with a speed safe or my MicroTech. And that is the reason that I have a ZT0400 "Scavenger" on order at this time.
I have had a Kershaw Ken Onion Scalion since my first deployment. The torsion bar opening system works. It works when it is dirty, not taken care of, full of sand and pocket lint. It is an effective and quick way to open a knife that is not a full "automatic" knife.
I have a ZT0400 on order and should get it in the next week or three as I ordered it last month.

You really can't go wrong when you combine Kershaw, Ken Onion, and Mick Strider on a knife.

KUCHI 36

 

[awmp]

did your zt400 ever come in?

 

[pkdmslf]

I have several of the Kershaw AO's. I do prefer the flipper over the thumbstuds as I have had a couple of "near misses" or should I save near cuts when I wasn't paying enough attention while opening with the thumb studs. I like them both but my preference is the flipper.

 

[Whoever Wherever]

I find alot of AO with thumbstuds only to be harder to open than a non AO. Im not all about AO in the first place, but any I am have flippers.

 

[Kaizen1]

In most cases, I agree with those that have said that A/Os with flippers and thumbstuds, that the thumbstuds are more difficult to use. One exception, for me at least, is the Leek. I actually enjoy using the thumbstuds more than the flipper on that one. Overall, I prefer thumbstuds and opening holes over flippers. But like I've said before, regardless of company/style/type/etc, it comes down to the particular model when I pick my favs.

 

[Solsticejk]

I have owned many AO knives (lets see: SOG- Flash I, Twitch II, Twitch XL, Trident. Buck Rush. Kershaw- Leek, Scallion, Chive. Gerber F.A.S.T. etc.). I find that in general, an AO with a flipper is designed to be flipped, period, and the thumbstuds generally act as additional blade stops. If an AO doesn't have a flipper, the studs seem to positioned differently so that they may be used like a normal (albeit faster) knife and there isn't the same risk of cutting your thumb upon activation.

Actually, I had been pondering this issue recently and then noticed this thread. I used to highly favor flippers since they seem more "auto-like" in that the flipper is like a small button that activates the mechanism and seems like a switch blade. However, many flippers actually require more of a grip change than a stud, and some are quite stubborn to get started. My Flash I and Trident, on the other hand, can be opened by a very slight flick motion that I'd imagine is quite second nature for anyone used to opening folders.

Overall, I'd say flippers have a better "cool" value, but knives designed to be opened conventionally, but have AO, are the fasted ones short of autos and waves. As for you anti-AO folks, I've got plenty of conventional folders as well, but you've got to admit that opening them seems pretty darn slow compared to an AO, especially a thumbstud one, as you only have to get past 20 degrees instead of all the way.

 

[David1967]

Flippers

 

[cybrok]

When it comes to AO's, I feel safer with a flipper, no chance at all to get cut.

 

[allenC]

For an AO I prefer the thumbstud.
I think that if the knife has a flipper then you really don't need AO...you can just use the flipper and a little wrist action to open it lightning fast.