Pros and Cons of thumb studs as blade stop

[Denix]

It seems to me that using dual thumb studs as the blade stop instead of the traditional stop pin is getting more popular. Or at least, I'm noticing it more...

My Kershaw Chive is built this way, and to my untrained eyes, it looks like a good idea. The dual studs come to rest on both handles, which almost doubles your contact area, so I'd assume there would be less wear from millions of openings (pretty important for a spring assisted knife).

The flip side is that the thumb studs have to be pretty well designed. I've seen broken studs from decent manufacturers in the past (albeit on their low end knives).

Anybody have any experience on whether one is better than the other, or as usual, is this another "it depends" situation?

Thanks!

Guy

 

[JTC]

I've noticed that thumbstuds are getting more aggresively checkered or serrated and tend to chew my pockets up more. I think using them as blade stops is ok as long as they are sturdy. It does seem to be solid and simple.

 

[cmd]

The only down side I have experienced is with my black boron chive, a great little knive, is that one of the thumb studs chipped the coating where it comes into contact with the frame. Not a big deal, it still functions flawlessly and is hardly noticable, but on a larger knife I can see how this could be more of an issue. I still would not trade my little chive for something similarly priced.

Chris

 

[DaveH]

I think it's a poor choice from an engineering standpoint, and a manufacturing shortcut

If you use the thumbstuds as stop, then the position of the studs are determined not by what is optimal for a users hand, but by the relationship between the size of the knife and the pivot set back.

You may want a thumb stud to be higher or lower then the handle scale, but that may interefere with engaement for the stop. So there's a compromise there.

Skin, clothing, etc can get jammed between the stop and the scale, true of most locks, but more common on this type.

If you check you thumb studs/stops, often they are not in straight, and it doesn't really matter as sooner or later they'll jam against the handle. This allows the manufacturer to make a big shortcut. They don't need to be carefully designed or manufactured. This may keep prices down I suppose.

 

[Wunderbar]

Well said Dave. I've dropped all of my MOD knives because I don't care for the stud positions. I've also sold/traded my
Dominators. I think it is very "cheesey" to use studs as blade stops. :barf:

 

[UnknownVT]

I think it's a poor choice from an engineering standpoint, and a manufacturing shortcut

If you use the thumbstuds as stop, then the position of the studs are determined not by what is optimal for a users hand, but by the relationship between the size of the knife and the pivot set back.

This is a well considered point.

Except for the fact the Kershaw/Ken Onion Speed-Safe knives that use the thumb-studs as blade stops are actually the ones with the Index-Open/flippers. So unless one wants to be deliberately awkward - I think most would probably use the flipper, and not the thumb-studs - so perhaps the positioning is not quite as critical for these knives.

Just to show I can be awkward - I don't find the thumb-studs to be out of position when opening these knives either - may be I'm just used to opening Speed-Safe knives.

--
Vincent

http://unknownvincent.cjb.net/
http://unknownvt.cjb.net/

 

[Geode]

I think it's a poor choice from an engineering standpoint, and a manufacturing shortcut

If you use the thumbstuds as stop, then the position of the studs are determined not by what is optimal for a users hand, but by the relationship between the size of the knife and the pivot set back.

You may want a thumb stud to be higher or lower then the handle scale, but that may interefere with engaement for the stop. So there's a compromise there.

Skin, clothing, etc can get jammed between the stop and the scale, true of most locks, but more common on this type.

If you check you thumb studs/stops, often they are not in straight, and it doesn't really matter as sooner or later they'll jam against the handle. This allows the manufacturer to make a big shortcut. They don't need to be carefully designed or manufactured. This may keep prices down I suppose.

I have thought this myself, but some custom knifemakers use this approach and they are not people who I associate with cutting corners. The thumbstud is too far forward, generally for my taste in this style of knife. Works if the knife is a flipper opener.

My son owns a Cuda Maxx using the thumbstuds as an external stop pin, and it seems to be holding up pretty well. A blade that big would definitely test the strength of a thumb stud. Important to Loctite the thumb stud though.

 

[wire eddge]

I think its a great idea.
Provides a stronger and more stable stop for the blade.
Do you ever see gunk build up on thumb studs,No, you see it build up and get trapped between the handle scales where a normal stop pin is.

Another point to think about, look at knives like the Dominator or Mod Tempest for example.The studs are semi- recessed into the handle when the knives are open and not out on the blade somewhere to interfere with cutting or sharpening operations.

It takes some good engineering to make a knife that has usefull yet out of the way thumbstuds that are used as a stop while also allowing a great blade and handle shape like the Camillus Dominator!

I would say this is just the opposite of cost reduction,at least initally.

As far as limiting perferred thumbstud locations go,how many folders have you seen with multiple thumbstud mounting positions? I would never limit myself to one folder just because the stud position was perfect for me.