holes vs studs; tip-up vs tip-down

D

ducksoup

Joined
Mar 29, 2007
Messages
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I've been looking for a new edc folder, mostly at benchmades and spydercos. A lot of them come with reversible clips, but some, (eg. the BM grip) don't. I've been edc-ing a kershaw scalllion (tip-down only, 3.5 in. handle, AO with flipper), and from my limited experience, it seems like tip-down might work better for larger knives and tip-up better for smaller knives. I've never owned a decent quality, manual thumb-stud knife, and I've never used anything with thumb holes. I was surprised I couldn't find any threads on these debates searching this forum. I'll probably test drive whatever knives in a store before I buy one, but I'm interested in hearing your opinions.
 
The Kershaw Cyclones...They can be carried either tip-up or tip-down. They have nice large thumb-studs as well as a "flipper" to start the AO.
 
I don't care for the studs, as I think they are ugly and detract from the appearance of the knife. I also find that I can't manipulate them as well as the hole. Having said that, I prefer the tip up carry for my knives that have a clip, because when you grasp the knife to draw it from your pocket, it's already in the using position.
 
glockman99 said:
The Kershaw Cyclones...They can be carried either tip-up or tip-down. They have nice large thumb-studs as well as a "flipper" to start the AO.
Click to expand...

the cyclone does look nice, but I'm looking for something different from what I have now, ie a manual instead of the AO/flipper. I'm just curious about the ergonomics of the different configurations.
 
I only do tip-up these days. Seems to me that when you reach in your pocket and grab a tip-up knife, your thumb automatically lands right on the Spydie hole, the thumb stud, etc. Or in the case of a Kershaw, the index finger lands right on flipper. With tip-down, the knife comes out of your pocket upside down and has to be flipped 180 degrees for deployment. Or so it seems to me. :thumbup:
 
powernoodle said:
I only do tip-up these days. Seems to me that when you reach in your pocket and grab a tip-up knife, your thumb automatically lands right on the Spydie hole, the thumb stud, etc. Or in the case of a Kershaw, the index finger lands right on flipper. With tip-down, the knife comes out of your pocket upside down and has to be flipped 180 degrees for deployment. Or so it seems to me. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

I agree with that entirely (I hate always pulling out my scallion upside down and bassackwards), but I wonder if, with very large knives, you wouldn't be able to reach down on the handle very far when you pull it out (if the length of your thumb is less than about half the handle length). If that was the case, it might be easier to do tip down, and grab the knife with index and thumb near the tang, pull it out, then let the knife drop into your palm. But I've never used a large folder, so this is just a guess.
 
I prefer the hole over the stud. It's simpler and just feels better to me. For tip up or down, I don't care too much either way. The only thing about tip up is that it works with a wave feature. But I think it also increases the chance of you reaching into your pocket and cutting yourself. One of the members here, Yablanowitz, made a thread about how he cut himself on a tip up knife (Spyderco Yojimbo) just from reaching into his pocket. He no longer does tip up.
 
Im a stud guy...I like the ease of use and look over the hole belive it or not...just personal taste...I also find flicking a blade open to be easier with a thumbstud over the whole...but again, maybe thats just me...Now that beign said, I prefer a double thumbstud over a single one, but it won't break a sale or trade for me...I just like the idea that I can eaily open my folder with my left hand as easily as my right in case I need to for some reason...
 
ducksoup said:
the cyclone does look nice, but I'm looking for something different from what I have now, ie a manual instead of the AO/flipper. I'm just curious about the ergonomics of the different configurations.
Click to expand...
The Kershaw Junkyard Dog II has a flipper, but it's totally manual, with no AO. It also feels GREAT in the hand.:thumbup:.:thumbup:.
 
I prefer the opening hole over the less comfortable (for me) thumbstud. I used to be strictly a tip up guy, but found that tip down is just as easy to use:)
 
Benchmade 550 Griptilian is my EDC folder and it's a great value. Tip up with the thumbhole for opening and the axis lock design is so awesome IMO.

I got it from New Graham in 154cm for ~ $70 delivered! Great deal. I think they should be tip up and I've never seen a thumbhole fall off!
 
Hole over the stud, for a couple of reasons
Have had a stud catch on the pockets a few times
and have been caught by the edge, not a fun thing!

secondly, when sharpening, usually the stud is in an awkward
place and you can't get the blade down to the stone as is needed
so the hole is, on the whole, a good thing ;)

G2
 
ducksoup said:
I've been looking for a new edc folder, mostly at benchmades and spydercos. A lot of them come with reversible clips, but some, (eg. the BM grip) don't. I've been edc-ing a kershaw scalllion (tip-down only, 3.5 in. handle, AO with flipper), and from my limited experience, it seems like tip-down might work better for larger knives and tip-up better for smaller knives. I've never owned a decent quality, manual thumb-stud knife, and I've never used anything with thumb holes. I was surprised I couldn't find any threads on these debates searching this forum. I'll probably test drive whatever knives in a store before I buy one, but I'm interested in hearing your opinions.
Click to expand...

Studs or Holes??

Tip down, tip up, lock type, hole or stud, what do you like? ( 1 2 3)

YO! Was these what you was lookin fer?
 
I like knives with flippers. No hole, no stud (Kershaw Groove and JYD for example).
I remove or grind the studs off most of my knives.
I do like studs when they are double as the stop pin or are just out of the way, of course if the knife has a flipper they usually don't get used.
 
Used to like studs and holes about equally.

Recently decided I like the hole better; putting my hand in my pocket it's very easy and natural for my thumb to find the hole.

Also, some studs are designed better than others. The studs on my G10 Leek, for example, are sort of small IMO. I find myself using the flipper. Now I've become very enamored of flippers, but I'd hesitate to buy a knife with only a flipper opener.

The studs on the Kershaw Cyclone, for example, are excellent. Lone Wolf T2 are also excellent. Benchmade 530 also has studs that are quickly and easily located. The Cold Steel Vaquero has really well designed studs. And there are many others too.

But overall, I like the hole better.
 
I like tip down. As for opening, I've gotten purty fond of the horizontal disk screwed into the top of the rear spine. Barring that, it depends on the knife. A hole wouldn't exactly work on a Cold Steel Voyager, and studs aren't much use, either.

What I don't like are holes in Spyderco blades. It's bad enough that they don't give you much blade steel in the first place. Then they have to go and punch out a big piece in the steel they do give you! With 3-4 of those punchouts, they can make another blade (if they punch a hole in it, which they will). According to legend, there are places in Ireland where it's said that if ye can catch yerself a leprechaun, ye can get a whole pot of them punched out holes! Just think of all the thumbstuds ye could make outta them!
 
Confederate said:
It's bad enough that they don't give you much blade steel in the first place.
Click to expand...

This doesn't make much sense to me. I've handled plenty of CS, Kershaw, BM and Spyderco models and I didn't notice that their blades are any smaller than the other brands. Maybe I don't understand what you're saying. Can you elaborate on this?
 
Tips up -n- studs for me, although I would not pass on a tip down hole if I liked what it was hanging on!:D

Btw, thats studs as in THUMB STUDS!
 
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