Thumb stud or thumb disc?

The thumb disc is a personal favorite. I don't mind the Spyder-hole as much as some, but it does tend to distract from the overall package. I've enjoyed my time with their knives, though.
 
Spydie hole all the way. Thumb discs annoy me.
 
Penetration said:
Ill agree that a flipper or spydie hole would beat both but I was just comparing those 2 but if this thread was about any (stud, disc, hole, flipper etc.) then I'd probably say the same ( if I had to choose. Flipper)
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Ive no doubt, that thumb studs or discs work, but for some reason, I cant abide them. I dont like the look nor the feel of them for some reason.
Dont know why Ive developed an irrational dislike for the thumbs stud/disc, as Im sure they work (as mentioned).
That they stick out there might have something to do with it (some more than others).
 
My personal preference tends to go Spyder-hole > flipper > thumb studs > thumb disc. I'm leaving the wave out since it's invariably combined with one of the other opening methods, but it would end up at or near the top. That said, how the individual knife works with the deployment option is more important to me than the deployment option itself. The Otanashi Noh Ken does great with a thumb disc, and my 710 would look awful if you threw on a Spyder-hole or flipper.
 
I actually would like to see more thumb discs, I'd agree that aesthetically they are not as nice as thumb studs, but they are more positive for blade opening in my opinion. Many of the thumb studs are smooth these days, and handle slabs are not scalloped enough to allow for a reliable thumb/stud engagement. Discs might be hard on the thumb but that's simply a result of the extra grip, and I don't sit around flipping my knives open hundreds of times a day. If companies would start rounding their edges better it wouldn't be an issue. It's amazing how many high dollar knives come with sharp edges on handles etc. Discs are design dependent though, some designs just won't allow for easy opening when using a disc.

I also like the fact the thumb disc is truly ambidextrous, in many designs it's much harder to get to the thumb stud on the lock bar side of the knife, complicated further if you carry tip down.

All that said I think we are going to see more and more flipper designs, people love to play mall ninja and imitate auto knives, and a flipper is much more tolerant of inconsistencies in lock bar tension, detent pressure etc. because of the extra leverage most designs I've played with have, especially with the trend of using the thumb stud as a blade stop now.

If I had to rank all of them I'd say depending on design it's a tie between Disc/Spydie hole/flipper followed by thumb studs that are not used as a blade stop, followed by thumb studs used as a blade stop. The reduced leverage on a thumb stud used as a blade stop is just a bad idea, it's asking to have a thumb end up on the blade when opening unless the detent pressure is reduced so much the blade retention is compromised or the pivot is tightened to the point of having enough blade friction that it won't get away from your thumb once you break the detent pressure.
 
I enjoy thumb discs, assuming they're positioned well. Thumb studs tend to be pretty hit-or-miss for me. Sharp or highly angled studs are generally a no-go, and they're easily my least favorite thing about Sebenzas. Between the strong detent and sharp studs, I just can't love Sebbies as much as I want to. If I could swap them out for some chunky studs like the Benchmade Rift, I would do so in a heartbeat. That said, I like flippers and wave openers more than any thumb-based opening mechanism. I have mixed feelings about thumb holes - they're easier for me to open slowly than discs or studs, but I have never been able to flick them open and rapid deployment is important to me.
 
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