Something different than a thumb hole or a stud

[kanuist]

I'm going to make a lockback knife, but don't want a thumb hole or stud. Would an engraved design give enough purchase to open the blade?

 

[Stuart Davenport Knives]

I don't think one could answer that definitively. Even with certain knife designs, the hole or the thumb stud doesn't always facilitate effecient opening.

But as a guess, it would depend on the location, size, and depth of the etch.

 

[Drop bear]

So this is a flipper. But it can be opened via the groove.

 

[Hengelo_77]

You can go classic with a nail nick or nail pull

 

[Crag the Brewer]

What about a Swoop?
Something like a machined ledge, shelf, angle.... maybe even Acute.
Granted, the initial stock material thickness would need to compensate for this. Lots of machining. Wasted material.
And would likely need to be right hand or left handed.... Or Chevron -T shaped, If it was ambidextrous

 

[Taz]

There are thumb discs that can be added on to the spine? Maybe something like that? Or do you not want anything protruding from the side of the blade at all?

Lockbacks have the spring tension on them, so they need more help opening that say a crossbar, button, liner or frame lock would.

 

[kanuist]

Thank you all for your guidance. I understand that the Lockback has a stronger spring than other lock styles. However, I would still like to try it on a piece of mild steel to see if it works.

I am not against a raised thumb stud or disc, I was just looking for something different and unique.

I also like the idea of a Swoop, as Crag the Brewer mentioned. Perhaps this could be added to the blade with two screws instead of grinding it out. I'll have to test that out in mild steel too.

 

[fitzo]

Dellana dots...

 

[Jak Epp]

Might not look right, depending on the design of the knife, but a hook like the emerson wave is an option.