Flippers vs. Thumbstuds

knives_in_nature

knives_in_nature

Joined
Jul 7, 2014
Messages
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So I want to hear some opinions on this.. I for one don't care much for the whole flipper craze currently and I prefer thumbstuds.

+1 thumbstud
 
I like both and the spyderhole.but problem.with the spyderhole is on weaker cheaper steal the blade can crack I have had it done on my firebyrd and tenacious having a big hole in the blade weakens the overall structure.i love my spyderco but this has happened to me.flippers arenot craze they have been around awile.there here to stay.if you have flipper and thumbstudds for blade stop best of both worlds inmo
 
I like the look of a flipper more, but when all is said and done, I'm fine with either. Hell, I'm fine with a knife having both, especially if it's something I'd carry in wet weather, while wearing gloves, etc. I also dig the thumb disc used on some knives.
 
I'm flipper tab all the way. I love the mechanical action and look of a good tab. Thumbstuds are growing on me.
 
Why does it have to be versus? Can't we all just get along? :D

Flippers are my jam, but thumbstuds have served me well over the years.
 
Well, not a black or white subject for me. More of a shady grey. But I think it's kind of too much trend in flippers nowadays. It seems like every company is pumping out knives following the concept: Titaniumhandled framelocks with a flippertab and preferably on bearings. I generally prefer thumbholes or thumbstuds but own my fair share of flippers anyway. Consistent? Me? ahh, no! :) For instance my last purchase was a ZT 0770CF. Besides I like assisted openers as well, not many here do.

My bias has increased recently since I cut part of my fingertip off in a most tragic accident involving a kitchen mandolin and an onion. God they are sharp! Luckily it wasn't too deep. But the finger is very tender and not very well suited for repeated flipping right now.

/ J
 
For me it depends on the type of action:

I never liked assisted knives other than flippers... on a thumb opening assist, a comfortable grip could send the knife flying, whereas I never have that issue with my grip when opening a flipper. An unassisted flipper is really hit or miss for me since detent or required wrist action plays a roll in how in opens, but I always know what to expect when flicking a thumbstud/hole

As a result, I usually pick non-assisted thumb openers or assisted flippers and have room for both in my carry lineup. If I had to pick one, I'd chose thumb opening since the flipper tab jutting out detracts from the clean lines of a folder IMO.
 
I don't really care personally which, but one advantage of a flipper is that in addition to a choil, the flipper works as a finger guard, which helps if the knife needs to be pressed into a tactical role.
 
bivensb said:
I don't really care personally which, but one advantage of a flipper is that in addition to a choil, the flipper works as a finger guard, which helps if the knife needs to be pressed into a tactical role.
Click to expand...

great point, bivensb... you just swayed me from 60/40 thumbstud, back to 50/50
 
Me? I prefer both on any knife. Especially assisted openers. On A/O knives, I'm given the option to control open the knife by using both the studs and the flipper in tandem with eachother, by pressing the flipper down to deploy the blade, and then using the thumbstud to slow it's action and completely open it. On manual knives, having both a flipper and a stud/opening hole just gives me more options, which makes any knife more fun to play with and easier to open should your circumstances change and somehow opening a knife one way becomes more difficult/impossible.
 
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