Flipper Vs Thumb Studs

I should emphasize that I prefer flippers for AO and can go either way with manual knives.

Personally I think an AO is missing something without a flipper. Deploying my ZT 0300's or my Boa or Spec Bump or Cyclones without the flipper would take away much that I like about those knives.

Manual is a different story however, I still go Hole, Stud, Flipper.

Another minor thing with the flipper is I find the pivot design quality and adjustment is more important than a knife with a hole or stud because if your knife does not fully open on the first flip (some designs anyway, not all) then you are pretty much relegated to doing the wrist whip motion a little bit. With a hole or stud, you can open even the tightest knives by completing the opening radius with your thumb in the hole or on the stud. And I still feel safer closing a knife one handed with a hole or a stud . . .
 
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Flippers are fun but for EDCs I prefer Spyderholes, Im more used to them and there for they are faster to me. I dont really like thumbstuds at all, they are kinda small.
 
J_Curd said:
Flippers rock. Then thumbstuds.

I havent ever liked the "hole in blade" design personally. I cant open them fast at all and I dont like missing vital steel near the root of the blade (from a durability standpoint).

However, the biggest objection to "hole" designs for me is that the profile of the closed knife is widened dramatically and that makes carrying one uncomfortable typically.
Click to expand...

I wonder if Spyderco has ever gotten a blade returned that failed at the point of the blade hole? I suspect there are a lot of other points that would fail before the blade at the hole. The pivot pin would most likely shear before the blade would fail.
 
I prefer thumbstuds, but it depends more on the knife. (I love the Native.) My only complaint with studs is some sit so far out they snag my pocket.

thx - cpr
 
Holes work the best for me. The easiest knives to open have been my Cold Steel Pro-Lite (big hole) and my Cold Steel Recon 1. Other than these, it's a toss up and depends wholly on each type of knife.

Cliffhanger_3.jpg


Famous scene from Cliffhanger where a Spyderco was extracted
and opened with one quick motion. Even the bad guy fell for it.


ColdSteelPro-Lite_5.jpg


The CS Pro-Lite opens easier and faster than any knife
I've ever seen, except for the Recon 1.


ColdSteelRecon1_BS_Sm.jpg


The CS Recon 1 is almost as fast as the Pro-Lite. Don't know
what the opening thingies are called, but this knife opens
quickly and decisively.


.
 
Ergonomics on some thumb studs and holes can lead to poor thumb placement and injury. (Have to be real careful on my LM Wave when opening 1 handed) and I find I have to shift my grip on several stud openers. I prefer flipper as fingers will be well clear of cutting edge
 
I used to like filippers and thumbstuds about equally, and thought thumb holes (Spyderco-style) looked absolutely silly.

Then I bought a Spyderco knife (Calypso Jr.). Then I bought another one. After a couple more, I came upon the Spyerco Salt 1, which has been my EDC for over 3 years now (significantly longer than any other knife I've owned).

At this point, I love the Spyderhole. I find it more comfortable, more flexible, and more usable than thumbstuds or flippers. In fact, I'm just about to order a Benchmade Mini-Griptilian (Model 555HG). I've always liked the Mini-Grip, but the thumbstuds just weren't good enough, after getting used to them o /Spydercos. When I saw the reworked 'HG' (Hollow Ground) Grip/Mini-Grip variants a year or so ago, with the round hole and blunter tip (a "modified sheepsfoot", as they call it), I was in heaven. It's one of the most perfect pocket knives I've ever seen. The first thing I've seen in a long time that has the potential to replace my Salt 1.
 
i like all three. but find thumbstuds most satisfying once mastered. ie. just push in the UP direction with authority! (ex. chaves 229)
-1 thumbstud, some complain that the thumbstud obstructs the cutting path. never had that issue
+1 flippers are good for the added protection between choil and blade.
-1 i dislike some flippers that have late detent, making closing a juggle one handed.
+1 i like spydie holes because they don't obstruct cutting and are easy to clean. great for middle finger flick. benchmade 550 are great.
if you want two kill two birds with one stone, try a giantmouse biblio it has both flipper and spydie hole.
by the time you test drive them all you'll start looking at traditionals and otf. all of them have there own charm... enjoy the ride!
 
I think the argument is more flipper vs non flipper

To me, it's more about the mechanism of opening/closing rather than what your finger touches

I enjoy both, but prefer the "simplicity is the ultimate sophistication" school of thought. I prefer less moving parts or parts than can wear out (like bearings) - and something I can disassemble and clean myself.

For me personally...nonflippers are the simplest and safest design.

CRK knives epitomize the simple, safe, easy to disassemble and service knives
 
I love the looks of a lot of the flippers I see pictured here and the thought that goes in to the design.
Me I'm a simple thumb stud or two hand opener person.
 
I am not a big fan of the flipper as the only opening mechanism. A flipper with (functional) thumb studs? Absolutely. A flipper with an opening hole? No problem. A flipper that I can easily pinch and pull? Well, it's not ideal; but I can work with it in a "pinch".

I won't buy another flipper that doesn't have an alternative option for opening.
 
I've use all kinds of assisted and manual flippers from Kershaw but the only ones I'd consider buying are the flippers with tabs that disappear into the handle. The NRG and the OD-1 come to mind, both completely manual with flipper tabs that disappear into the handle.

When the tang is used as the flipper tab you end up with a flipper tab between your finger and the blade. I don't like that. I like to choke up right to the cutting edge, a finger choil like on many Spydercos is ideal and most flippers are the opposite of ideal. Another benefit of having a separate flipper tab that folds into the handle is that you can apply force to the blade for the duration of its opening without having to rely on a spring, so essentially 100% reliable. Really wish they'd do a run of the smaller NRG again, maybe my favorite Kershaw of all time, shouldn't have sold mine.

Even compared to an ideal flipper, though, I'd probably prefer thumb studs. Plenty fast, plenty satisfying, can open slowly if I want to, and I find the position necessary to actuate flippers is pretty unnatural compared to thumb studs.

https://imgur.com/EfJBWSc

Plenty fast for me.
 
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