Flipper Vs Thumb Studs

1. Spydie hole (or similar). Most of my knives are Spyderco.
2. Flipper as long as when the knife if closed, it doesn't stick out too much.
3. Thumb studs and their variants.
4. Nail nick. Only time I see them are on my SAKs and my one Maserin sodbuster from collectorknives.
5. Front flipper. Tried a few, I don't like them. I'll pass.

Axis locks (and their ilk) and button locks were not considered. I entertained *things* on the blade that open them.
 
1.Flipper
2.Thumb studs
3. Well designed front flipper
4. Spydie hole
5. nail nick
 
For a long time my only interest was an out the side auto. Then along came the Malibu and I shifted gears towards flippers, and I still enjoy using them. I've recently purchased a couple of Demko's and Chris Reeves's, and although there is a vast difference in the action on the two, I'm really enjoying the thumb stud on both.
I don't think I would care for the Spyderco hole but im sure at some point I'll give one a chance.
 
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It was interesting in this necro thread how “superior” the flipper was in 2009 when the tread started. I felt fairly similar at the time.

Now that flippers aren’t new and shiny, there are more objective opinions regarding them and preferences are more evenly split. I tend to carry a thumb stud more often than a flipper or a Spydie hole, but that could be influenced by grabbing a CRK most often lately.

My favorite would have to be thumb stud/button lock combo.
 
A_Blade_Afficionado said:
What is your opinions on the flipper vs thumbstuds debate? Personally, I find thumbstuds to be a lot faster and with a more satisfying pop. The flipper seems slow once you adapt to thumbstuds (that have the ball bearing, it helps build more speed). The flipper though is nice for the guard it gives between your finger and the blade. What is your favored design and what is found on your own EDC?
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Honestly I bought a thumb stud option first because I live in Sacramento and the knife laws are ridiculous! But now I would rather have a button lock flipper than a thumb stud even a butterfly knife!
 
This is a good discussion even if it was prety old so let's just keep it going.

I like the ease of use of thumb studs, they work well even with thicker gloves on. But I don't like that the studs get in the way of cutting sometimes, especially on a shorter blade so it's kind of a trade off. Flippers are harder to use with thick gloves, but they can act as a guard to keep your finger from slipping. But they also can get in the way of cutting too. You're more limited if you're trying to say cut vegetables on a small cutting board.

Of the two, I'm liking flippers more and more though.

I know it wasn't asked but has been mentioned a few times over the years, but the Spyderco hole and similar are nice in that they don't interfere with cutting at all, but they tend to make the blade a lot bigger where the hole is so it can have the hole. Ok in some knives, very annoying in others. To the point that I can't stand it in a small knifel
 
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