Flipper Vs Thumb Studs

1: Spydiehole
2: Other type of hole opener
3: Front flipper
4: Flipper

I really don't like thumbstuds, and have yet to try a thumbdisk, but am assuming I'll like it better than studs.

Many thumbstuds are difficult for me to get a grip on with my oversized thumbs and dry skin. They also get in the way when cutting certain things, especially food. On top of that, they get gunked up because of that when cutting something like a block of cheese.

I only own one knife that is thumbstud only, a Southern Grind Spider Monkey. I have two with multiple options, Demko ad20.5 and A Purvis Progeny. I have attempted to remove the studs on the Demko, but they seem to be permanently loc-tited on.
 
I like both, although if I could only pick one, it would be a flipper tab. One thing I enjoy about flipper designs where it's just the tab, and no studs, is the fact that no matter how the tab is placed, it's out of the path of the media being cut by the knife. In fact, these days, a quick turnoff is a thumbstud on a knife where it's placed out over the cutting edge, which is an especially poor design choice when the maker/designer has given the knife an otherwise thin, slicey blade. Like...why? Trying to zip through cardboard means that you have to position the blade edge a bit higher, so you aren't dragging the thumb studs through the media being cut. A flipper, the issue simply doesn't exist.

Thumbdisks are even worse offenders. Though, that said, it's ok if I really like the knife. LOL There are always exceptions!
 
I started out with a thumb stud on my Buck 110 for many years.
Switched to a Spydie hole because of the lighter weight and slim fit in pocket.
Now that I'm old and have had Carpal Tunnel surgery, I now carry a ZT flipper, it's easier for me to use.
 
I don't like thumbstubs, whether assisted like on the Blur or not, because they never seem to line up well w/my thumb & hand, regardless of the make, model or size of the knife, which makes them difficult for me to use.

I like flippers of any kind, assisted or not, but I also like Spydies w/a Spydie hole and I also like autos, even though I can't carry them in my state.
Oh and I also like waver openers too.

Just anything other than thumbstuds. Still own a few vintage knifes w/them but refuse to buy any new knives with them.
 
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1. Holes
2. Studs
3. Front Flipper
4. Flipper

But my real preference is to always have multiple deployment methods.
 
My favorite knives are Shiros, which are all flippers, and CRK and Rockwell which both offer thumbstuds on their folders. What I don’t like are folders with both flippers and thumbstuds
 
spydiehole, thumbstud, and flipper tab I like them all. They are all brilliant designs of opening mechanism.
 
I have some flippers, studs, and Spyderco holes. They are all OK, but some days i prefer the flipper (Hinderer with skiff bearings). Some days I carry a Spyderco Stretch in ZDP-189 and it works great.
 
I like flippers equal to thumb studs. I have more studs just because the ZT line up is a bit too bulky in the blade thickness for me. Only have 2 ZT's despite owning many in the past and cycling through most for something slimmer and thinner. I need to get another Kershaw or two with flipper... just looked, only 2 flippers and about 12 studs, so my wallet votes thumb stud.

Push button auto has been a lot of fun recently. Probably my #3

Spyder hole is last. I feel like I'm missing out not really gravitating toward much of Spyderco's line. Again, having cycled through many in the past, the giant hole makes the blades wider on average, which takes up more pocket real estate than needed. I think I'm down to 2 Spyderco in my rotation, which used to be 5 or 6. They just don't end up in my pocket over my other favorites with narrow blades and slim handles. I do miss my Native LW though.
 
To answer the OP question: I don't like either type of opening.

Spyderco midlock or OTF auto for me.
 
I’m kinda preferring flippers. Not a fan of holes at all. I have a couple of thumb studs that I do like, but flippers seem to be my favorites.
 
As a user, I prefer front flipper/opener to just about anything else.

A standard flipper tab often detracts visually from the overall flow/design of the knife, IMO.

I don't mind well placed thumbstuds but very much agree with Quiet Quiet 's assessment of the topic.

As a maker/designer, I try to put careful consideration into the opener and it's placement and "fit" with the knife. Often times, depending on other features on the knife, every opener style solves one problem but creates a new one.

I'm currently in that situation so I have to decide which style of opener causes the smallest and easiest-to-deal-with problem. In this case, that actuallyed to a top mounted disc/plate style. I've never tried that before as a maker and it's not my personal favorite but it's the best option on that particular build. I'll reserve final judgment until the project is finished.

Ideally, something like this is the best of all worlds for me: one hand/two hand ability, no cutting interference, doesn't detract visually and can also be front flipped.
 
J. Doyle said:
As a user, I prefer front flipper/opener to just about anything else.

A standard flipper tab often detracts visually from the overall flow/design of the knife, IMO.

I don't mind well placed thumbstuds but very much agree with Quiet Quiet 's assessment of the topic.

As a maker/designer, I try to put careful consideration into the opener and it's placement and "fit" with the knife. Often times, depending on other features on the knife, every opener style solves one problem but creates a new one.

I'm currently in that situation so I have to decide which style of opener causes the smallest and easiest-to-deal-with problem. In this case, that actuallyed to a top mounted disc/plate style. I've never tried that before as a maker and it's not my personal favorite but it's the best option on that particular build. I'll reserve final judgment until the project is finished.

Ideally, something like this is the best of all worlds for me: one hand/two hand ability, no cutting interference, doesn't detract visually and can also be front flipped.
Click to expand...
That’s a gorgeous knife. I love the look of it 👍
 
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