Preferred deployment method

I've never had to deploy a knife, I actually don't get the whole rapid deployment thing. Open knife cut stuff close knife.
I'll pick a knife based on ergonomics and blade geometry first. It's a knife, it cuts stuff, that's my first priority.

On a modern knife something that can be rolled opened and closed one handed, thumb studs with axis or liner locks work well for me. Thumb studs that are to far forward and get in the way of sharpening or cutting are a no go. Free falling blades, nope I want control.

On a traditional or modern traditional, some thing with a 5 or 6 pull, no nail breakers allowed. Nail nick or pinch open is fine, if I can do both that's an extra bonus.

What I don't like or need. A hole in the blade, any flipper, wave, disk or a spring assist.
 
When I only had thumb-stud knives, I thought flippers were going to be way better. Now that I have some flippers, I feel like thumb-studs or a well designed opening hole can be better. With a stud/hole, I feel like I can kick the blade out harder if needed, while also having the option of rolling it out slowly when necessary.
 
I agree 100 percent with Mechanical Advantage ^. I'm sure flipper tabs are here to stay but the trend seems to be slowing and Holes seem to be a strong showing. I love flippers and will always own some but I for one am getting a little tired of pocket pecking knives destroying the finish on my vape mod or the back of my cell phone :confused:.
 
For me the Axis lock flick is the standout, probably since closing/folding is just as fast and easy. Then all else is equal/fine.
 
Barman1 said:
Just a gentle thumb nudge on a kydex sheath is my preference.
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I was thinking along that line, as well; but some of my most carried knives are in leather.

As far as folders - I prefer thumbstuds. Flippers are okay...but I prefer them to have (functional) thumbstuds (as opposed to blade stops) as well.
 
From a self defense standpoint, I have done some timed tests with a variety of knives. Two handed opening is the fastest. I have also found it the most reliable.

The downside, you need two hands. This is not as big an issue as it would seem. In my simulations, it is very hard to deploy a knife while under dynamic attack and one limb occupied. Instead, you create space using empty hands skills and then deploy the knife if necessary.
 
Slipjoints so probably nail nicks :D -> holes -> flippers -> studs -> frontflippers
 
I used to hate the look of Spydercos when I first saw them back in the 80's, but I got my first one recently and I have to say I totally get it. For me, I'd say Hole > Axis Lock Style > Thumb Stud > Flipper. That said, I've only had two flippers, one of which is a Kershaw Speed Safe so not sure that counts, and the other is a Boker Urban Trapper that isn't exactly smooth and requires a lot of wrist action to get to open. My big thing about flippers is that the flipper tab seems like it would be uncomfortable in the pocket. I haven't carried the Kershaw much, bought it just to play with the speed safe thing, and the boker's flipper is pretty small and I don't carry it often.
 
I don't even count speed safe or any assisted opening that is something that seems more a fad and/or pandering to a public wish for "cool" knives. I really don't like how they feel it doesn't really give you the auto satisfaction while taking away the satisfaction of a manual knife.
 
Personal preferences:
1. Front flipper: keeps the flipper tab out of the way when deployed and in the pocket, and doesn't impact the cutting portion of the blade. A good front flipper may be hard to execute. The Boos Smoke and Burger EXK do it well.
2. Opening hole: Love to use this method. Only caveats are that the blade may be designed to be taller to accommodate it, and occasionally the hole may hang up on thick materials when slicing.
3. Flipper: A good front flipper is very reliable. Caveats are that flipper tab design and execution vary wildly in their success and comfort. "Pocket pecking" does bother some people. Detent strength can vary even between copies of the same model of knife and impacts flipper function substantially. The biggest thing that bothers me about conventional flippers, mores on small knives, is that in some the flipper tab impinges on index finger placement when holding the knife.
4. Thumb studs: Can work well depending on design. Standouts as successful designs include the Jason Guthrie Scout and the TRM Neutron. I like when middle finger opening is possible from the lock side. Some thumb studs are very uncomfortable to use. My biggest problem with thumb studs occurs when the stud overlies the cutting edge so that it impinges on slicing.
5. Thumb disk: Haven't tried any, and I don't love the way they look.

My favorite knife with respect to deployment method is the Boos Blades Smoke. Both the front flipper and opening hole work great, and that front flipping mechanism by either thumb or index finger adds to the fidget factor. The Koenig Arius has the most satisfying opening action of my knives. By both the flipper and opening hole, the blade deploys with authority every time. It's hard to tune the detent and pivot so that both methods work well, but Koenig does it.

The Axis lock was mentioned. I don't really see that as a primary deployment method, but if I did, I guess I'd lump it in with the button lock, like on Rod Olson knives. The button lock can be disengaged to open the knife, but I'd still rather use the flipper. I've also never used a knife with an Emerson wave and don't intend to get one.
 
PirateSeulb said:
I don't even count speed safe or any assisted opening that is something that seems more a fad and/or pandering to a public wish for "cool" knives. I really don't like how they feel it doesn't really give you the auto satisfaction while taking away the satisfaction of a manual knife.
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Agreed, I wasn't overly impressed with it. I wish I could get into autos, but I'm moving to Canada in the near future and from what I understand they're a big no-no up there.
 
Most knives I own are benchmades so right now the axis lock prevails (and with good reason, ah that one handed open and close), but a nice flipper (my 0450:cool:) is always nice in the pocket
 
Hunter2053 said:
From a self defense standpoint, I have done some timed tests with a variety of knives. Two handed opening is the fastest. I have also found it the most reliable.

The downside, you need two hands. This is not as big an issue as it would seem. In my simulations, it is very hard to deploy a knife while under dynamic attack and one limb occupied. Instead, you create space using empty hands skills and then deploy the knife if necessary.
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Wave opener + practice = the best sd option because no knife knife opens faster.
 
Just curious if there is a knife out there with a flipper, a thumbstud and a thumb hole. Because I know the spyderco vallaton has a thumb hole and studs (and yes I know they function as stop pins but still).
 
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