Vote. Thumb stud or hole?

i agree with those who feel thumb-studs and holes each have their own applications, or fit better with certain knives.

ie: a hole on my Leek? BLEH.

...and try to put a thumb-stud on my Endura, and "i will say 'good day' to you, sir. i said, 'GOOD DAY!'

abe m.
 
I prefer a sharp edged hole for opening knives. Beveled holes are easy to slip out of. Especially when my hands are cold or if I'm wearing gloves.
 
I am partial to the hole, especially a round (spyderco) or elliptical (BM). I find that the hole doesn't snag when the knife is drawn from the pocket or waistband. A disc is difficult to get leverage on, and occasionally the stud loosens where it joins the blade.
 
Well, after a long time trying to decide this for myself I've finally decided it doesn't matter. Both can be great and both can suck. I've had examples of both that were hard to open and just never felt right. On the other hand I've had great luck with well done examples of both as well. Some of those are:

Hole:

Spyderco Delica
Spyderco Native
Mayo med. TNT

Stud:

Sebenza
JWS MRC
Hinderer Flashover

Also, a thumb disc can work really well. The one on my Hinderer Firetac is perfectly done and it's incredibly easy to open.
 
No preference, really. Most of my BM knives have studs and they work just fine, ambidextrous; OTOH my Benchmade Ascent has a round Spyderco hole and it's fine too. The argument about corrosion around the stud is compelling, but I haven't had that problem (yet).
 
Hole! Used to like studs, when I was a thumb opener, but they interfered with using the full length of the blade. Ever tried to get cheese off a stud? :D

I changed my way of opening. Now I use my index finger in the hole to push it just past the detent... then I flick it the rest of the way. About as convenient as a flipper and much easier than the stud... and I keep a better grip on it throughout...
 
Depends on the knife, but overall, I'll go with the thumbstud. I'll admit, a hole may be easier to open, but a stud offer's much more "tactile feedback" as well as the oppotunity for personalization and/or change. With practice though, a thumbstud will work just as quick for you as a hole.
 
Hole. Simplicity is more eye pleasing to me, plus less parts = less things to go wrong.
 
holes all the way. better purchase on the draw everytime, flicking, spydie-dropping, etc.......every folder with a hole is better than with a stud.

Spyderco is the clear winner, with Benchmade with some of its "holed models" as a close follow-up.
 
depends on the knife imho, but all in all as long as the knife is well designed, it really dont matter to me, my favs are a emerson CQC8 (peg) or BM skirmish (hole) so, like i said, doesnt really matter to me........
 
Thus far, I've preferred the studs over thumb holes. I don't recall getting a stud stuck on my clothes (my EDC is the big Griptillian) and it feels natural to open it. As some pointed out, though, it most likely depends on the particular knife and the execution of the opening mechanics.
 
LyonHaert said:
I say neither. Thumbstuds get in the way, and so my 710HS has gone for months with the thumbstud removed. Holes would be fine, except that I think the removal of that metal may take away from spine strength.
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I agree wholeheartedly, but my vote goes to thumbdiscs or flippers anyway. :D I also find thumbholes inconvenient. YMMV.
 
Danbo said:
Neither. I much prefer the disc.
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ditto.

if they're my only options;
studs on thin blades,
holes only on spydercos.

but if i could get discs on everything else i would.
emersons have always been the easiest for me to open.
and that's not considering the wave.
 
I prefer a hole. I do not usually use the thumb anyway, but my way of opening is to put my index finger in the hole and flick, which works great. Also thumbstuds can get in the way when sharpening, which is annoying.
 
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