Spyderhole - less efficient way to open a knife?

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I'm thinking this must depend on your deployment technique, as well as the physical attributes of each individuals thumb. I prefer thumbstuds instead of thumbholes. I use the tip of my thumb when deploying and if I ever have a problem with a thumstud, it's just that the handle is in the way. I only have 1 Spyderco, and that's a Delica 4, so I don't have much to base my opinion on as far as their particular thumbhole. But generally speaking, with other brands, if I have 2 identical models, 1 with studs, 1 with holes, the one with studs has always been easier for me to open. If Spyderco had some models with both options, then I could compare apples to apples with their thumbhole, but since they don't, I can only compare apples to apples with other brands and the thumstuds work better for me in all those cases.
 
abbazaba said:
WOW I wish there was a poll on this post. Spydie hold FTW
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I can't tell if that's meant ironically.

Because the whole point is that it's not about FTW or which one is better according to a poll. Different, depending on how the knife is used and preference. Mostly the latter it seems.

Also, interesting that the flipper hasn't been thrown into the discussion much. For example, you won't cut yourself if your finger or thumb slips off the flipper, as with a thumbstud.
 
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I am not much a fan of flippers, and I like thumbstuds better, but the Spyderhole is BY FAR the easiest method of opening for me personally.
 
I have a blurple Manix and a 940 on me right now. I am opening slowly and flicking both and find no difference in the arc of travel of my thumb.
Seems the same amount of movement with each and both are very reliable when opening.
OP states more thumb travel with the hole?? Not seeing it.
Joe
 
RX-79G said:
To answer the questions, I'm talking about comparing backlocks to backlocks or linerlocks to linerlocks. I do not find the hole to be more positive or easy to find or grasp than a reasonably normal stud, and the larger arc of the hole makes me feel like I'm less in control of the blade. I also don't feel like a good stud is any less positively in contact with the meat of thumb.

I think Spydercos were popular with climbers because they were one handed, had clips, serrated blades, light weight handles and came in bright colors. They likely would have been just as popular with studs.
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The larger arc provides more leverage, making it easier to open the blade than if the arc were smaller.
 
One time, my spyderco didn't "deploy" quickly enough when I was taking out some sentries. I died.

But seriously, I see no difference in opening speed when I compare to other opening methods (unassisted). For gloves I actually prefer a flipper but the hole works just fine.
 
craytab said:
One time, my spyderco didn't "deploy" quickly enough when I was taking out some sentries. I died.

But seriously, I see no difference in opening speed when I compare to other opening methods (unassisted). For gloves I actually prefer a flipper but the hole works just fine.
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Hahaha
Dang it!

I hate it when that happens in my daily life.

Up! Hold on. Just got a black ops assignment with secret squirrel, I gotta go!
 
bdmicarta said:
You should feel the operation of something like a PM2.

I've owned very few knives that could rival it in smoothness, one of which was the Benchmade 730.
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I agree, the PM2 smoothness is the real deal
 
Fanglekai said:
The larger arc provides more leverage, making it easier to open the blade than if the arc were smaller.
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It generally isn't additional leverage that is needed, as most knives open very smoothly these days - even lock backs.

But (for me) the increased distance puts my thumb out of its natural range, effectively decreasing my opening leverage.



None of which has anything to do with "speed", as some people keep implying. The larger arc is just more difficult and less positive to control for some of us than something that is closer to the thumb's natural range.

Any pivot system light enough will flick open equally well, regardless of thumb vs hole vs flipper because you aren't using the whole range of the arc with any of them.
 
RX-79G said:
It generally isn't additional leverage that is needed, as most knives open very smoothly these days - even lock backs.

But (for me) the increased distance puts my thumb out of its natural range, effectively decreasing my opening leverage.



None of which has anything to do with "speed", as some people keep implying. The larger arc is just more difficult and less positive to control for some of us than something that is closer to the thumb's natural range.

Any pivot system light enough will flick open equally well, regardless of thumb vs hole vs flipper because you aren't using the whole range of the arc with any of them.
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I think you have identified a key piece of the preference puzzle. How smooth or how awkward does it feel for YOUR hand and grip. There are some spydie holes that I have a hard time reaching around the arc. My PM2 is about perfection in an opening device, for MY hands.
Thumbstuds are really hit and miss as far as how well I can get purchase on them with my thumb tip. Most work poorly for me with gloves on.
Flippers do NOT work for me with gloves or mittens on. The fabric interferes with blade movement, or my grip is compromised.
I also find spydie holes easiest to use with glove AND compromise grip the least. Also functions best for me in confined movement space where failure to open might be a problem with flicking, waving or flipping.
Really is preference and experience, to a large extent. But after years of trouble-free spyderco use, I really have little use for other mechanisms.
 
I'm no good with physics but wouldn't more energy be exerted using a thump stud since it has such a smaller surface area? Like doing triangle push ups vs regular push ups.
 
Murdamook said:
I'm no good with physics but wouldn't more energy be exerted using a thump stud since it has such a smaller surface area? Like doing triangle push ups vs regular push ups.
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I think you'd have a hard time measuring energy considering how complex something with your hands actually is. But surface area translates to PSI, which isn't an energy problem. Leverage isn't really an energy problem, either.

Either way, the calories used aren't the problem. It really is just a question of how you are able to use your hand strength best.
 
I find myself a bit puzzled by the argument that the Spydiehole is not as fast as a thumbstud or flipper. So? Even if that is true, what kind of knife use requires opening in 0.3 as opposed to 0.5 seconds? Self defense? In that case, I would think 100% reliability would be vastly more important than speed of opening. If raw speed is the sole requirement then obviously assisted or spring-loaded opening (or a fixed blade) is going to be the superior choice.
 
RX-79G said:
I think you'd have a hard time measuring energy considering how complex something with your hands actually is. But surface area translates to PSI, which isn't an energy problem. Leverage isn't really an energy problem, either.

Either way, the calories used aren't the problem. It really is just a question of how you are able to use your hand strength best.
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But a spyderco's opening hole allows for more surface area over which to spread the strength put into opening a knife. A thumb stud is a much smaller surface area, so it would take more strength to open. Yeah? I have a jank left hand due to a really bad accident. I am just now getting my full strength back and I know opening a Spyderco is much easier for me than something with studs.
 
Here my take on it
Thumb hole or Thumb stud.


[youtube]0_qZ9cRfa38[/youtube]

It's about prefences and techniques.
 
RX-79G said:
I've owned 3 Spydercos for many years, and found them all tedious to open. I've seen the videos of all the funny ways to open one, but two of mine have so much drag that they won't flick, so the stainless handled Endura was my default favorite because I drew it by the hole and shook the handle open.
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What kinds were the other two?
 
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