What's with "The Hole"??

Ken,

you wrote:
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All worship The Hole! Become one with the emptiness and lose yourself in the wonders of the void! Ohhhmmmm Ohmmmmmmm! (If Spyderco ever publishes their history in a book, will it be "The Hole Bible?"

..And in those days the mad prophet Glesser did come unto the knife knuts, and He did speak of The Hole, and the knife knuts did see that The Hole was good, saying "Yea, and verily shall we carry holes all the days of our lives!
TOO funny!
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LOL!!!!!
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Sheesh, this is REALLY very funny... hahahahaha.. Sorry, couldn't resist.
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Mad Prophet? Sal?? Err.. hmmm...
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Dan
 
I like the hole on the Harpy, even with wet hands it works well, but I also like the stud on the Sebenza!

One point in favour of the hole that I haven't seen in this thread so far is the trouble when sharpening, a stud can be in the way on the stones when you sharpen the knife, where as the hole, well, it's just a hole!

My Howard Viele Sypdie has a pretty small hole so I often grasp the blade and let the handle fall open instead of thumbing it open, It was working fast when I stuck my thumbnail into the hole and flipped it, but I tightened the clip and that made it a tighter friction on the blade.

The Military has an even bigger hole?

Thanks,
G2

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When a fellow says, "it ain't the money but the principle of the thing,"
it's the money.
F. McKinney Hubbard

http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Cabin/7306/blades.html

 
After trying, buying, and using knives with the hole and thumb studs, my preference is for the hole. It's just easier for me to operate. I've never tried the thumb disk (ala Emerson), so I cannot speak for that particular method.

Interesting thread. I just hope we all continue to remember that the topic is knives, not individuals. Seems we always veer toward "flame" type posts when it becomes personal.

AJ
 
Joel,

I've noticed the adverse weather thing, but... You've done all that testing and more? You must really have wanted to nail the conditional thing down! I'm impressed. Might be an interesting thread by itself.

Gary,

That's an excellent observation about sharpening. I've had the stud problem in sharpening, but didn't even think about the problem when sharpening Spydies. Sometimes I think we just know things like this intuitively and take em for granted. That's definitely one for the list.
 
Paul,

Youre exactly right! All the methods mentioned here are good ones(or they probably wouldn't be around anymore) and I like them all. What I am saying is that the difference, if any at all, is pretty minute and not enough to warrant the hole becoming the God of all opening mechanisms.

Youre also right about the CQC7. I cant tell you any particular reason why it may be better than other folders. I bought it for its looks, feel, etc., even though some may not think it is a good design. Basically, I just like it. But I dont go around touting it as the best folder.

Joel,

In the tests you describe, the hole might perform a little better than the stud. I think the disc, though, would probably perform just as well because it has a flat surface and much more pronounced thub-contact area than a stud. Just a thought.
 
Maybe it's the length of my thumb, but I usually have to reposition my hand at least once in the process of opening a knife with a hole.

I keep the hole in contention for the "First Folding Knife After I Joined BladeForums," though, because you can open it with either hand, even if you have to reposition. There are some great knives I've ruled out (Sebenza, etc.) because of that. (How do I know what pocket I'll have my knife in when I need to open it one-handed? Guess I could buy two; one for each pocket.
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)

Failing that, I'll most likely go for dual thumb studs on one knife.
 
I prefer button lock autos.I have a liner lock auto.The Spydie hole is best for manual knives.

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Over the years doing EMT/SAR/structural & wildland firefighting (including helicopter rappelling) type things, I've become anal compulsive when it comes to usability testing knives.

The cutting and chopping tests that Joe, Cliff, and others do are excellent benchmarks (thanks again guys). But in addition I like to understand a tool's limitations from a human factors standpoint operating in less than optimal conditions. Mr. Murphy usually is lurking about during missions, and I try to do my best to minimize surprises.

I've subjected a whole bunch of hole/disc/stud knives to these kind of tests, and my personal preference are Spydercos. Granted, there's going to be lots of variation in people's hand and finger/thumb size, strength, dexterity, muscle memory, training, etc., so your mileage may vary.

Regarding autos. Since I live in the progressive state of Oregon, there are times I carry a Benchmade AFO. However, the legality issues outside the state, potential of coil spring failure, and "scare" factor around non-knife people, typically favor Spydie carry instead.

Joel
 
It seems that no one can decide on either a hole or a stud, so don't carry either! Carry a 3 inch bladed sheath knife or an auto! There was a time when there was no such thing as a one-handed-opening knife, everybody carried a sheath knife,it was for life survial not convienence. A knife is nothing other than an Iron Tooth.

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A Knife is no more than an Iron Tooth

 
striper28,

You have a point there, I just received my Mike Irie Sport 400 last night, it's a beauty in nice stag with a wharnecliff blade about 3 1/4" length of ATS-34 steel, got to make a sheath for it yet, but it has the look and should be a real user at work! Also got the Sport 1000, a Tanto style with Stag handles as well, a little heavier than the 400 with a stronger point. I'll let you know how it goes!

G2


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When a fellow says, "it ain't the money but the principle of the thing,"
it's the money.
F. McKinney Hubbard

http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Cabin/7306/blades.html

 
I prefer the ambi-studs on my BM 710 and/or Ascent 835 for opening (opened the 835 over the weekend a few times with cold, sore fingers after rock-climbing for several hours in WV; no problems).

I prefer 'the Hole' for sharpening.

I prefer the Native for cutting/carrying.

FWIW...
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Joel has the right idea. I have found living in the great white north, a num frozen wet hand will show you which openning methode will work the best for you.
For me it is the stud. Really the bigest factor is where it is placed, much more than if it is a hole or a stud, or disk.
 
Not all studs are created equal either. There are many solutions to the problem of a stud. Chris Reeve's design of the stud on the Sebenza is well thought out, beautifully executed and functions well. It's a tribute to the depth of thought that one can put into something that seems so simple as a stud.
sal
 
Seems to me that if I was to be reaching hurriedly for my knife with maybe a sweaty or shaky hand, I'd bet my life on a thumbstud or disc first.
 
Coming in a tad late ...

The first concern for me for the opening device is that it function well for its primary purpose -- one hand opening for my right hand. There are two criteria here:

1. The device should be as easy-to-hit as possible, even under stress.

2. Once you hit the device, your thumb should be as secure as possible throughout the opening movement.

Both these factors depend somewhat on your thumb, and different devices work better for different people. So I'll be speaking for *my* thumb rather than anyone else's, but try to keep things general if I can. A hole is a much bigger, easier-to-find target than a disk or stud. The disk probably provides a little easier-to-find target, since it's on the spine and completely perpendicular to it. Studs vary tremendously in size, but in general are smaller and harder-to-find targets.

Once you get your thumb on the opening device, you want it to hold firm throughout the opening movement. With a hole, if you've missed the opening device a tiny bit, your thumb tends to slip back into the hole -- or rather, that's what happens with me. It is by far the most secure opening method for me. The disk, having a lot of surface area perpendicular to the movement, provides the next secure grip for me. Thumb studs provide the least, though some very-well-done studs work nearly as good for me as disks do. For both disks and studs, if you've partially missed the disk/stud, your thumb will likely slip off, rather than slipping on as often happens with the hole.

So for my thumb at least, the hole is the easiest target to find and easiest to stick to. Disks are next, studs are last.

Other factors to think about are the fact that all holes and studs are essentially ambidextrous (though not all locks are). Double-studs are ambidextrous, too, though many studs are built to be single-sided.

Which brings up another point about thumb studs. There's a vast range in the quality of them. Spyderco holes are essentially spyderco holes. But a good thumb stud is much much better than a badly-done one, and there are plenty of rounded slippery hard-to-hit bad thumb studs out there to watch out for.

The last factor, as someone else mentioned, is sharpening. Studs and disks often can and do get in the way of sharpening the very end of the blade nearest the handle.

Speaking strictly for *my* thumbs, the opening hole easily bests its competition in every area of performance except for aesthetics. Thumb disks are next. I'd almost always rather have a disk or hole over a stud.

Joe
jat@cup.hp.com
 
My two cents....As stated, all one handed opening systems are pretty good...The hole is still my favorite..as most said its easiest. Often times, I use my index finger and thumb to grab the hole and flik the handle rather than thumbing the blade. I can do this very precisely and all in one move. This works very very fast on say a stainless police model.
Another reason I feel the hole is better is that when cutting certian things studs and disks may get in the way,(cheese,haha) while the hole does not. Studs work better closer to the pivot(Socom)..Some studs/disks protrude out away from the pivot too far, actually over the cutting area. While there are many variables and designs, some good, some bad..The hole is always the same ROUND...DAAH
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I'm sure others would use the round hole if it was free! But it AIN'T...
I agree Spoonslayer if it tactical you want nothing beats a small fixed blade in a kydex quik draw sheath..but then why compare? Carrying a fixed blade just isn't as handy, as a cliped folder for everyday utility..
 
Walker,
FYI you can get Sebenzas with an ambi stud. It just costs about $20 extra. IMO I wouldn't let that keep you from one of the best work knives on the market, though "They ain't cheap!" to quote someone that nobody here probably knows! (ie a knife novice buddy after admiring my first Sebenza).
Paul
 
Paul Davidson,

Thanks, I didn't know that the Sebenza was available ambi-studded. And here I'd thought I'd managed to get the possible purchase list down to a reasonable size.
 
At the moment, I own a knife with a stud, one with a hole, and one with a disc. I find that my finger can get the easiest purchase on a disc because it can be located on the spine of the blade away from the handle and leaves plenty of room for a finger. Discs also form an extremely grippy ridge. For safety though? Well, with a hole, your thumb is always in direct contact with the blade(or at least is for me)no matter at what speed the knife is opened.

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