I have removed several. I clamp one side (blade open) in a soft sided vise and use pliers on the opposite side to unscrew the thumb stud. Some, those with only one sided thumb studs are either attached with a torx screw or just force fit. The torx screws are easy to remove (if you have the right torx wrench); while the force fit ones can be removed with the proper sized punch while laying the blade on something with a hole in it (to insert the thumb stud and leave room for it to move out). Of course with either type you have a hole left in the blade. If you never plan to reattach the stud, you can fill it with a nail or metal rod and cut/grind/file it flat to the blade. May need to do a little blade polishing afterwards. I would suggest just leaving the hole in the blade in case you change your mind later and want to reattach the thumb stud.
Forgot to mention, some makers are using loctite (super glue) to keep the thumb studs tight. If so, soak a q-tip in acetone (nail polish remover) and soak the bottom of the thumb stud (where it meets the blade) with it, then unscrew, etc. as above.
Rich
