Large Vantage- Easyer Thumb Opening Mod.

sitflyer

sitflyer

Joined
Mar 10, 2011
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I like my Vantages, and I prefer to "thumb" them open rather than flick. Only problem has been my thumb seems to not get a great purchase on the narrow hole provided. I took a few X cuts into the top part of the hole, and Voila! Excellent grip is achieved through the opening ark...Now I can thumb open this one every time with confidence.


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Interesting modification. I was at a knife show a few years ago and was talking to a custom knife maker about all the companies that use the hole in the blade style of opening their particular knives. He told me that one guy that used to work for Spyderco patented the thumb open hole and all other companies that used this design have to pay royalties to him. I found that amazing and thought I would share.
 
Duane, did you try a screw-on stud?

I'm beginning to think that thumb opening (holes, studs) are one of the social divides, like strong IPAs and pocket clips in which people tend to be in one camp or another.

I've never warmed up to them and can one hand open/close all my lock backs (and Opinels).
 
mbjannusch said:
Interesting modification. I was at a knife show a few years ago and was talking to a custom knife maker about all the companies that use the hole in the blade style of opening their particular knives. He told me that one guy that used to work for Spyderco patented the thumb open hole and all other companies that used this design have to pay royalties to him. I found that amazing and thought I would share.
Click to expand...

I read recently that Spyderco tried to patent the hole and was turned down. It seems you can't patent a hole.

Disregard the above. I shoulda known better than to believe something I read.
 
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Speaking of screw on thumb studs. Do those things work very well? Do the marr up blade real bad? Do they fall off easy when in use? I carry a 110 everyday but sometimes a one hand opener would be really handy. Problem is I really dont care how most one hand openers look.
 
At the request of the Op, We wanted to discuss the thumb hole opener Spyderco uses. The thumb hole was patented by Spyderco, and after the patent expired (Which, to my understanding they do), A Trademark was applied for and granted. A trademark doesn't expire and those companies who use the trademarked idea have to pay royalties.
The hole in the blade of the Vantage is a bit small and doesn't work as well as the Spyderco blade hole. The Spyderco hole is substantial and doesn't need anything else. Your thumb pad fits in the hole just enough to create enough friction to open the blade. because the Vantage hole is so small you can't get enough of your thumb pad in the hole to open it, with any kind of ease. Not to say it can't be done, just saying it isn't as easy as larger holes. I like the idea of creating a checker pattern to allow more friction and greater ease of opening.
 
My method of one hand opening my 110 (and 112, and Bucklites and 500 and Schrade lock back) consists of 4 Ps:

PINCH - Pinch the back of the blade firmly between the thumb and forefinger of your strong hand with the tip of the blade away from your body and the pivot close to your body and wrist. Provided you have a fairly strong grip, this will open the blade very slightly.

PUSH - While holding the flats of the blade firmly between your thumb and forefinger, push down against the frame with the tip of your middle finger until the lockbar is fully engaged and you get past the point where the blade wants to snap shut. On nearly all my lockbacks, this is about the 1/3rd open position. Don't let go. The knife could close in this position and catch the tip of your middle finger.

PRY - Pry the butt end of the frame against something to open the knife fully. I usually use the side of my thigh (it's almost always with me).

PLACE - Place the knife fully in your hand by pressing the butt end against the surface (your thigh) and sliding your hand down along the spine of the blade to the handle.

This method of one handed opening is pretty much second nature to me. IME, the difference between this method and using a thumb stud or flipper is speed. I don't use my knife in a tactical manner. Speed isn't an issue when I'm working in my shop or around my property. I would much rather have a blade with no hole to fill with gunk and no stud on it to catch on this.

Definitely YMMV turf.

EDITED TO ADD: Actually, with the 110 and 112, there is a faster way of opening.. Just pinch the blade as described above and then snap the knife downwards sharply. The weight of the bottom bolster will *SNAP* the knife open in a heartbeat with a single move.
 
Thank You Matt!
I have big 'ole thumbs, and this traction pad made all the difference in the world...now this Vantage sees most days clipped in my pocket, instead of in my desk drawer. I find that when thumbing open the blade, it draws a lot less attention. I think it might be a popular feature if offered from the factory...
 
Pinnah, that's all well and good, but we are talking about a knife that is by design, a one hander...
I used to open my 112's in the manner you describe, UNTILL one time when the blade slipped and I got a nasty slice...
YMMV...
 
YMMV to be sure. Just trying to answer the drift question of thumbstuds on 110s that Kyhunt was asking about. You can definitely cut yourself the way I do it.

More drift, this is much less of an issue with my Opinels as they have no spring, which is another plus for "good shop knife" with them. Easier than any lockback or liner lock to one hand close too, which is just as important for shop use for me.
 
Any knife worked hard enough can be broken in enough to be opened in a gravity snap action. I have 110s that some would think were switch blades and FYI this action can and does get interpreted as a gravity knife, which in some states (California being one) is considered illegal, and a felony...
 
Another thing that may help is to enlarge the channel/indentation in the scale by the hole.

Ric
 
Phydeaux said:
Another thing that may help is to enlarge the channel/indentation in the scale by the hole.

Ric
Click to expand...
That works pretty well also, but on my small Pro that I did that to it leaves a thin area right where my index finger grips the knife, even with that, I still need to position my thumb just so, to get good purchase...with the grip pad I can thumb this thing open without even thinking about it...
 
mbjannusch said:
Any knife worked hard enough can be broken in enough to be opened in a gravity snap action. I have 110s that some would think were switch blades and FYI this action can and does get interpreted as a gravity knife, which in some states (California being one) is considered illegal, and a felony...
Click to expand...

Ah. Very useful to know on the chance that a diligent constable is patrolling my property or work shop to ensure that my tool deployment is entirely lawful. ;)
 
pinnah said:
Ah. Very useful to know on the chance that a diligent constable is patrolling my property or work shop to ensure that my tool deployment is entirely lawful. ;)
Click to expand...

Well, I suppose if the only place you "Deploy" your "Tool" is on your own property, you may have bigger problems than the local constable...;)
 
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