What opening way is the most fun way to play with?Why?

Nothing beats elegant lines and a frame lock with a neat flipper tab, good bearings and a sweat detent.

Keep it simple and machine them to be clean and consistent.

n2s
 
jstrange said:
I just don’t like the looks of them mostly. Too much redundancy also brings too much clutter. If you are going to have a flipper make the blade smooth and clean. No studs to get in the way of sharpening or cutting. Just my opinion. I’m sure there are equally good arguments for the opposing opinion.
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I dont like multiple opening methods either. If it has thumbstuds or a hole the flipper gets in the way, and as you stated it looks cluttered.
 
afishhunter said:
Slipjoint.
The walk 'n talk, and smoothness.
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I find it satisfying to reach in my pocket and open a knife with both hands. I use modern knives for the convenience and utility, but I carry a slip joint because I enjoy using it. Old school, you know, savor the moment. Of course, I also enjoy an automatic.
 
Auto OTFs are the most "fun" but otherwise any standard flipper or Emerson type opener will do for me.
 
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RayseM said:
I could have written this ^ myself. Completely agree especially as regards to holes and studs. One or the other. Holes over studs, if I have to choose, but not both - unnecessary and so just a gimmick in an overly gimmicked world.

This one is simple and very fine enough. An excellent flipper liner lock.

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wow!Nice!
 
jstrange said:
I just don’t like the looks of them mostly. Too much redundancy also brings too much clutter. If you are going to have a flipper make the blade smooth and clean. No studs to get in the way of sharpening or cutting. Just my opinion. I’m sure there are equally good arguments for the opposing opinion.
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Good point. simple is the best, right?
 
Sharp & Fiery said:
Kizer Cutlery Kizer Cutlery

Generally speaking, most collectors and users here at BF love clean lines and less BS. It will be hard to make a fortune off “multiple openers” here.

Myself, favorite opener is, as @razor-edge-knives said, front flipper with low profile tab. I despise tall tabs, tall tabs are for companies who cant properly make a front flipper.
The beauty of a front flipper is that opening is fun, and a lot of different options. The bonus is that you have 100% useable blade surface, not studs, holes, mill slots and disks to get in the way of cutting chores! Plus, there is just something about a clean blade with great shape.
It takes some work to make a beautiful front flipper that operates well, and is still solid in every way. There are a few makers who have done it perfectly...I wont mention who.
That being said, I have a highly modified Kizer Feist which was my first front flipper...only issue for me is that its a touch small, and the detent is so strong. Overly strong. Also, bearings on a FF are meh. Dial it in with PB washers and I’ll buy it all day long. Put a 3.15-3.25” blade in it and you’ve got a winner.

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Thank you! I will take a note of your advise, and nice modified Feist btw.
 
jp9mm said:
Yep this Maestro is nearly half a pound for 3.5" blade....Off my list right there... It does have a really nice look to it tho.
The problem with some multi-deployment is that one or all of the methods suffer for the sake of adding more options.
I prefer a tab & hole deployment over thumbstud as well ... a new example the SBD Void is a perfect blend and great deployment either way.
I like front flippers as well.

P.S Stop drilling lanyard holes in handles, use the backspacer or none.... Thanks!
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Notes have been taken.;)
 
T.L.E. Sharp said:
Who is it you're trying to sell it to? The sort of buyer you'll find on Bladeforums likely has several knives in their possession already.

We don't necessarily need a "one size fits all" solution with multiple opening methods. We've got flippers, studs and thumb holes. We can afford to have more focused designs in our rotation and will likely be more interested in a specific design language and aesthetic than the prospect of fidget versatility.

I'd like that knife a lot more if you'd left off all three of those opening methods, dropped the spine close to flush with the handle and used a thumb disk. Just my personal preference. Having a tab, thumb hole hump and studs just reads as muddy and likely heavier than necessary.
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Got you;)
 
Why not experiment? To everyone saying keep it simple I couldn't agree more but Kizer has the means to experiment which can produce a home run or a dud. I have a flipper that has thumb studs and it's fun going back and forth.
 
I like a nice flipper that has a hole to flick. FF Archbishop, Dao, Ace Biblio, Busker. It's just fun to have a couple openings in one knife.
 
I look for a secondary way to open a blade when I am considering the purchase of a new knife.

One of my favorite knives is the long discontinued US made Kershaw Zing. It has a flipper. thumb stud, and there is enough exposed blade to grab if I am wearing gloves.

To answer your question, I think Spyderco’s thumb hole is good.

A thumb stud also works for me if it is placed right.

Blade opening is only half of the equation. The type of lock is just as important.

Give me a good Axis Lock any day.
 
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