Thumb stud, thumb disk or Spyderco Hole?

flatgrinder

flatgrinder

Joined
Dec 20, 2005
Messages
2,045
Hey just wanted to start a vote:

What's your preferred method to open a folder in terms of reliability and speed?

1.Thumb stud.

2.Thumb disk.

3. Spyderco hole.

I've used both 1 and 2, and I have to admit, the Spyderco setup is practically faultless. Sal's a genius.

:)
 
If it's an oversized spyderhole, I like it a lot....but for most my knifes, I prefer thumbstuds.

Don't forget to put the best method in there, the flipper.

So number 1, mostly, unless you add in flipper.
 
Thumb disc for me. But, I like and use all of them without problems.
 
I prefer index finger flipper to all of those, however the thumb hole is my choice on your list. You should put flipper on there though.
 
Which do I prefer?? Hmmmm. I like all the methods mentioned, including the flipper. I don't think I like one way more than the other.....Although, I do really like the Spyderco hole.......I like dual thumb studs. I dunno....... I like 'em all.
 
I have some of everything but I'll take the hole anyday; as there is nothing to fall off and get lost when its a hole and they simply work for easy access. I don't recall my thumb missing a hole too many times but thumb studs I miss all the time. Thumb discs do nothing for me really. From a makers stand point they are an additional step to be appreciated particularly the threading the blade after centering the hole part but I've never much bought into them or used them in my own knives.

STR
 
I EDC an M16/11K (the small one) with a flipper....I think the flipper is the future...best yet, it's not incompatible with other methods...you can have a flipper PLUS your other favorite. If you don't use the flipper, you still get a free finger guard.

Highly recommend the M16.

When the new Spec Bump comes out, I'm ordering one....that has a flipper too...Kershaw does great flippers also, if you like AO.

Manual flipper is the fastest way to get your blade out with the possible exception of OTF autos. This of course excludes more skilled methods, like what I call a short wave opening.
 
Thanks for the replies.

I know this sounds stupid, but how do you use a flipper? Any links? Descriptions?

I thought Emerson's wave was fast, how is a flipper faster?
 
A flipper is a protrusion on the the part of the blade that attaches to the handle. It aids in opening the knife. Usually a simple push on the flipper will open the knife completely with minimal flicking of the wrist. As to your question with comparison to the wave, it depends. From the pocket, nothing beats the wave. But if you happen to be holding the knife in your had closed, the wave will not assist you of course, and I find the flipper faster and easier than discs, holes, etc. Crkt has the Desert Crusier and M16 SF that has double flippers. One acts like the flipper I just mentioned and the second acts like a Emerson wave. I forgot who designed the Desert Cruiser, but he openly admitted what the second flipper was for in another forum.
 
Spyderco Hole hands down. It is my favourite opening method of all. If I could change one thing about my Sebenza it would be to have a hole opening instead of thumbstuds.
 
Yea, SpyderCo hole for me. Been using a BM 800S AFCK for many years now and the hole is realy nice I think. I have tryed the newer models of the AFCK design but never got to like the oval hjole in them. BM should have kept paying SpyderCo for the use of the round hole IMHO. :) Thumbstudds is not my cup of tea, they sometimes interfer with the cuttingmotion of the blade and if that happends 2-3 times a day in a tuogh situation, it can rely get on your nerves.
 
1.Thumb stud. I prefer it, and it should not impinge upon the effective use of the WHOLE blade. Size and position affect the use of the whole blade.

2.Thumb disk. Don't see it too much anymore, but I like it fine.

3. Spyderco hole. Needs to be big enough to get my thumb in and not chamfered. Should be round, the holes that get around the Spyderco patent/trade mark are often less than a pleasure to use. KISS rules.

The various flippers being offered (I put the "Wave" in here) are fun for a quick deploy, but sometimes they catch when I'd rather they not. Un-intentional blade opening can be annoying, if not worse. DIDO the assisted opening knives.
 
I prefer the original sized spyderhole, (12 mm I think) to any other opening methods. I had a mini-grip with the thumbstud, and even though I have smaller hands, my thumb always felt fairly close to the serrated portion of the blade. I eventually got rid of it. The disk is alright, I've used timberline and emerson knives, and I particularly liked it on the crkt point guard, but that was a slick opening knife.

My 806d2 had the elliptical hole, and an axis lock. I found that knife to be one of the slickest opening knives I've owned. The PIKA has the same style hole however, with bevelled edges, and that knife may as well be a two hand opener. It is some tight.

The round, and if need be, well done elliptical holes are my personal choice as they also tend to snag less (READ: never) than a disk or stud when drawing from IWB.

I have a byrd cara-cara and raven due today, and I'm curious to see if the comet shaped hole is comfortable to open as the spyderhole. I will post a review for these knives later in the week.

Peter
 
If you are looking for a production knife with a flipper, the Camillus Dominator looks awesome, and the Kershaw Onion series are hard to put down once you start to play with them. As for customs DDR makes the one I use, and there are some others out there. I think you will fall in love with the flipper once you try it.
 
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