Stop pin vs thumb lugs???

P

pinkfloyd101

Joined
Sep 24, 2008
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I was wondering what you guys prefer for a blade stop on your folding knives? Do you like the stop pin, or do you like the idea of the thumb lugs doubling as the stopper also. What are some pros and cons?
 
I like the "thumbstud as blade stop" design feature.

The design gets the thumbstuds out of the cutting path.
 
Thumbstud as a stop here as well. From a structural standpoint, a design like this just seems stronger.
 
I'll take both.

Although the thumbstud stop is pretty much the only option if the blade has a flipper, otherwise that flipper wouldn't be able to clear a stop pin.
 
I like both as well however in a "hard use" knife I do slightly prefer the thumbstud to be the stop pin. Doing it this way basically eliminates all side to side play and lateral force to the pivot.
 
Apec said:
I'll take both.

Although the thumbstud stop is pretty much the only option if the blade has a flipper, otherwise that flipper wouldn't be able to clear a stop pin.
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Not really. ZT 0200 has a flipper and doesn't use a thumbstud stop.

The Brian Tighe Coon also doesn't use a thumbstud stop and has a flipper. I'm sure there are others as well, but I can't think of anymore OTOH.
 
Like nevermind35 said, when the thumbstud acts as a stop pin, it provides extra support against lateral stress that would normally go almost completely onto the pivot.
 
I hate to ask a silly question but would someone give an example of common knives that use these different methods. In terms of maybe a Benchmade or a Spyderco - something like that? Thanks! :)
 
Stop pin. I don't like thumb studs smacking against the handles. Plus, I would think that there's a greater chance of thumb studs breaking off than a blade tang pushing against a stop pin and tearing it through the liners.
 
cziv said:
I hate to ask a silly question but would someone give an example of common knives that use these different methods. In terms of maybe a Benchmade or a Spyderco - something like that? Thanks! :)
Click to expand...

ZT 0200 uses stop pins.
ZT 030x and 0350 use thumbstuds as stop pins.

0200:
0200ST.jpg


0301:
0301.jpg


Images courtesy of knifeworks.
 
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Thumbstuds as stops are like on the Microtech SOCOM.

Most knives, like the Benchmade 710, use a separate stop pin.
 
THG said:
Stop pin. I don't like thumb studs smacking against the handles. Plus, I would think that there's a greater chance of thumb studs breaking off than a blade tang pushing against a stop pin and tearing it through the liners.
Click to expand...

That might be the case for thumbstuds that aren't solid pieces. I'm not sure which ones are which. The only one I know about is the XM-18 and the thumbstud/stop pin is one solid piece on that.

Whether the thumbstuds act as a stop pin or there's a separate stop pin, the impact should be about the same.
 
Kaizen1 said:
That might be the case for thumbstuds that aren't solid pieces. I'm not sure which ones are which. The only one I know about is the XM-18 and the thumbstud/stop pin is one solid piece on that.

Whether the thumbstuds act as a stop pin or there's a separate stop pin, the impact should be about the same.
Click to expand...

I don't think any are solid pieces. As far as I know, most thumbstuds are threaded in some way or fashion. You have two separate thumbstud halves. In between them lies a threaded rod that connects both halves. Sometimes that threaded rod is part of one of those halves. Other times, the threaded rod is separate, and when you thread both halves on the rod, turning each half in opposite directions tightens down both halves tremendously.
 
harkamus said:
I don't think any are solid pieces. As far as I know, most thumbstuds are threaded in some way or fashion. You have two separate thumbstud halves. In between them lies a threaded rod that connects both halves. Sometimes that threaded rod is part of one of those halves. Other times, the threaded rod is separate, and when you thread both halves on the rod, turning each half in opposite directions tightens down both halves tremendously.
Click to expand...

Just for clarity because you said you don't think "any" are solid pieces, according to Rick, the XM-18 definitely has one solid piece for the stop pin.

From his site:

...The blade locks up on the solid ¼ in dia. thumb stud which is press fitted into the blade. This makes for a very strong lockup as there is no loosening of the thumb stud which can happen with two piece thumb studs, and it is a solid bar....
Click to expand...
 
harkamus said:
Images courtesy of knifeworks.
Click to expand...

That's funny. Those pictures you posted, the 0301 shows up on my computer screen about as big as it is in person (picked up my 0301 and held it against the display and they almost perfectly line up).
 
Kaizen1 said:
Just for clarity because you said you don't think "any" are solid pieces, according to Rick, the XM-18 definitely has one solid piece for the stop pin.

From his site:
Click to expand...
I stand corrected.

That sounds awesome...and ridiculously strong. Makes me ponder what construction ZT uses. I've always loved Hinderers. I think I love them a bit more after your revelation.
 
I have a Blackhawk Hornet 2 that uses a stop pin and the thumbstuds as blade stops. I don't see that blade folding backwards under any amount of hard, positive pressure (pressure against the cutting edge).;)

BlackhawkHornetNet.jpg
 
the thumb stud to me seems like it would have a greater chance of failing than a stop pin. however the chance still doesn't seem that big so it won't affect my decision to buy a knife.
 
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