Shallot thumb studs

swimmerdude1127

swimmerdude1127

Joined
Mar 26, 2007
Messages
1,925
Hello all,
I am a big fan of the Leek for many reasons (awesome production knife for the money, good feel, quick opening, etc.) and I also have a Shallot.

One of the things preventing me from really enjoying the Shallot just as much is the lack of thumb studs. I was wondering if anyone has added thumb studs to their Shallot by drilling a hole and screwing them in, or if Kershaw has plans to add them on any models some time in the future?

For me it just seems easier to open it with studs than with the flipper, or at least have that option.
 
I could be wrong, but as the Shallot is based on a Ken Onion design, and the original custom didnt have a thumb stud on it, I believe that is why it was removed from the Shallot. Same goes for the lock.

My $0.02. I own a ton of Shallots, and it is one of my favorite designs. Looking at them over time, I have pondered the lack of thumb studs myself, but have come to rationalize that the area given to add a thumb stud would be both a very small area, and the geometry of using a thumb stud to open the longer blade (compared to a Leek) would likely require alot of thumb pressure. Im not sure if adding one on this design would give you positive results either way.
 
The finger "guard" for your second finger swoops out too much for adequate thumb stud use that I can see. The flipper action works great though--I have no need for a thumb stud on this knife.
 
I often wonder what the weight and or blade length maximum can be to effectively deploy the blade using Speed Safe (Torsion Bar/Spring). Feel free to help me on the name of what is a SPRING.

Anyway, there has to be a geometry issue with the spring. Springs are only capable of so much stored energy in any one configuration such as this.

I too would love the thumb stud on the Shallot. But wonder if weight came into consideration? I know the Bump is larger and spring assisted, and has thumb studs. But the handle is larger and can support a larger spring.

It makes me ponder the thought and rub my chin. The mysteries of mathematics combined with the magic of the good old fashion spring. Enough to get anyone excited.
 
I have to say I was very happy that the Needs Work and the Shallot did not have thumb studs. The indexing is very easy for me to use and I prefer it to thumb studs. The Leek, Chive and the Scallion use thumb studs as the stop pin IIRC so it's kinda important to have them. I think it's just a preference kinda thing, I'd prefer not to have thumb studs on the Packrat, but I'll buy one anyway.:D
Cheers,
Rob
 
I usually remove the studs, unless they act as a stop pin as well. I actually prefer the thumbstud/stop pin combo as it makes things easier to clean out.

If the knife has no flipper then I cut out a groove or hole to get traction with my thumb.

Edit: Almost forgot, the Blur is the only knife I still use the thumbstud on. It's out of the way enough that I can still sharpen the knife, and the fun of the design is figuring out new ways to use the studs.
 
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As mentioned, the KO original had no thumb studs. Sitting here looking at a 110V, if you were to put a thumb stud on it, it would have to be down the spine a ways in order to clear the finger guard when opening or closing.
 
Personally, I prefer the Shallot w/o thumbstuds and likewise prefer the Blur w/o a flipper. My general preference is thumbstuds and that is the way I normally open my Leek.

The only reason I like both opening systems on the Leek is that it is form following function. The thumbstuds function as the stop pin and the flipper creates a finger guard when the knife is opened.

While aesthetics are generally subjective, thumbstuds would interfere with the beautiful lines of the blade.
 
Are you guys saying that the thumb studs are used (in some cases) to stop the blade from further movement when open. Stop Pin, makes sense. What stops the Shallot from beating itself to death?
 
Desert Heat said:
Are you guys saying that the thumb studs are used (in some cases) to stop the blade from further movement when open. Stop Pin, makes sense. What stops the Shallot from beating itself to death?
Click to expand...
The Shallot has an integral stop pin.
 
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