Compression Vs Liner Lock Sage for Lefty

J

JA5544

Joined
Apr 1, 2016
Messages
72
I have been eyeballing the sage series, really only the sage 1, for a while now. Love the blade shape and the carbon fiber laminate. I had it in my mind that I was getting close to purchasing the Sage 1, and then I start hearing about the 5. My question is how is the compression lock for a lefty to operate? I have a couple of liner lock knives and I don't really have problems operating them. I have not had the chance to fondle a compression lock as of yet. Which one should I choose?
 
I'm not a lefty but I find it kind of awkward to close my PM2 left handed. I can do it but it's not as easy as closing it right handed. I have to change my grip completely when using my left hand. That said, I don't have as much of a problem closing my Sage 1 (or any other liner/frame locks that I have) with my left hand. It's still a little more difficult than using my right hand but at least I'm holding the knife basically the same way and using my thumb to unlock.

There are times when I do feel sorry for left-handed folks. However, there is a pretty good selection of left-hand friendly knives available (Sage 3, Manix 2, back locks, etc).
 
I'm a lefty and I have zero problems closing my Para2 with my left hand, I have had a para 2 since they were release and tons of different sprints and still my go to knife, I'm going to be getting a sage 5 as well and I just picked up a s90v yojimbo 2


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I am a lefty and very particular about using either dedicated left handed or truly ambidextrous folders. The Para 2 is about the easiest and most intuitive folder I've ever operated, I think it's actually easier to close/ open with the left hand. The Native 5 is a close second for me, but Para 2 is better in that regard.
 
I find the liner lock much easier to operate, while keeping a more secure grip, either hand.
 
I guess the best thing for me to do is get a hold of a compression lock and try it out.
 
I am lefty. Never have a problem with a liner lock/frame lock. The comp lock is a pain in my ass to operate left handed. It requires some odd manipulations of the handle to close the blade. I used to bump the spine on my thigh to clse it. Righty i use my middle finger to disengage the locl and my index fnger to swing the blade closed.
 
I know you are asking about the sage one vs sage five, but if you are left handed you may prefer the sage three in the end. It has the same carbon fiber laminated G10, just with a different pattern. I own the sage 3, and it operates in a very similar way to the benchmade axis lock which is completely ambidextrous. Plus, while the sage 3 has the same size as the other sages, it has a usable edge length that is about 3/32" longer while maintaining the same 3" overall blade length.
 
Many left handed uses seem to find the compression lock easier to adapt to than Walker or Reeves locks. However, it is still a handed, and thus "wrong handed", lock. The percentage of right handed users who whined about the Gunting having its compression lock mounted on the opposite side proves that. Have you considered the Sage 3? It's the only Sage currently in production that does not have a handed lock. I know we left handed folks are good at "making do" with wrong handed things, but when there's an alternative that allows us to simply enjoy rather than adapting and overcoming, why not take it.
 
The Deacon said:
Many left handed uses seem to find the compression lock easier to adapt to than Walker or Reeves locks. However, it is still a handed, and thus "wrong handed", lock.
Click to expand...

Hi Paul, I think that depends on your closing technique. Some folks close the compression lock just like a backlock. Disengage the lock and let the choil fall onto the index finger then shift knife and close. I think if you are one who closes that way, the lock is perfectly ambidextrous. For the record, I don't usually close a compression lock that way and the technique I use (index finger and freefall blade drop) is much easier right handed.
 
That perfectly describes how I use my PM2 as a lefty. No problem to close it left handed, but the righty free-drop is still how I usually close it even though I'm a lefty.

I don't have a Sage yet, but I'd be most likely to pick up the 3, then 5, before the 1.
 
I'm right-handed, but my folders are used with either hand and sometimes carried left handed. The comp lock is the easiest RH lock for me to operate LH. I had no problems getting used to LH operation with my Paras.
 
Surfingringo said:
Hi Paul, I think that depends on your closing technique. Some folks close the compression lock just like a backlock. Disengage the lock and let the choil fall onto the index finger then shift knife and close. I think if you are one who closes that way, the lock is perfectly ambidextrous. For the record, I don't usually close a compression lock that way and the technique I use (index finger and freefall blade drop) is much easier right handed.
Click to expand...
Lance, I respect your opinion, but respectfully disagree. I am of the opinion that any lock which operates from side to side is, by design, handed. If the compression lock did not favor one hand over the other, at least slightly, there would be no reason that the Gunting was the only model to have it mounted on the opposite side. The Gunting and the Centofante Vesuvius, which came out around the same time, were the first two Spydercos to use the compression lock. Right handed users complained about the Gunting, so every compression lock model since has used the lock orientation used on the Vesuvius.

We could argue the significance of that from now until hell freezes over, and it would not change my opinion. If it wasn't for negative effect I'm sure it would have on sales, I'd challenge Spyderco to orient the compression lock on the Sage 5 like that of the Gunting. Then we'd see whether right handed users felt it was or wasn't "wrong handed".

I can see a left handed person "adapting and overcoming" when there's no choice. But if a truly hand-neutral version a knife is available, why not support it rather than "making do" as we often have to?
 
As a lefty, I prefer left specific knifes and won't carry right handed knifes..... Until the damn PM2 came around! As Deacon said I was forced to adapt and overcome its right handedness..(it's a word now.) It's second nature to close after some trial and error, but not with out some caution. Not only do I have to "clear my fingers" but I need to do so with little to no grip on the knife.

I call this the flat fisted, thumb drop....
4084C13E-9C0A-4BE9-8606-68A253843CD7_zps2qmxlg07.jpg
 
I'm right handed but carry both sides & operate also both sides. Not having a comp lock, but I have tried my friend's Para 2. I found since the lock is on the spine, I tend to close it the same way as Stretch, thumb on lock, index finger pull the hole down. Both hands do the same, but left is more difficult.

I prefer lock neutral design, and like the strong bias of the lockback.
The only liner lock I have now is GB1 because it's almost neutral without the cutout for lock release on the opposite handle.
 
Well, this is what I have been saying. We need more backlock designs from Spyderco. I am right handed, generally, but not always. I prefer locks I can use with either hand. What if I have no use of my right hand for some reason? I want a knife I can operate with either. I also love the bias to close the backlock has. Safety first, you know.
 
I know this is a Sage question but have you considered a Domino or Mantra. I looked at the Sage for a while too then settled on a Domino. I am right handed and can operate Spyderco's real well with my right paw; thumb flick, index and middle finger flick, compression lock flip etc. With my left paw I am not so competent and worry about cutting myself with all but just using the Spyder hole to guide the blade out with my thumb (which is what the original design was intended for I believe). I wanted a knife that I could deploy confidently and rapidly with either hand and close well ambidextrously. The Domino fit those requirements as would a Mantra. They are a little more dough but you may like them better being a lefty.
 
The Deacon said:
Lance, I respect your opinion, but respectfully disagree. I am of the opinion that any lock which operates from side to side is, by design, handed. If the compression lock did not favor one hand over the other, at least slightly, there would be no reason that the Gunting was the only model to have it mounted on the opposite side. The Gunting and the Centofante Vesuvius, which came out around the same time, were the first two Spydercos to use the compression lock. Right handed users complained about the Gunting, so every compression lock model since has used the lock orientation used on the Vesuvius.

We could argue the significance of that from now until hell freezes over, and it would not change my opinion. If it wasn't for negative effect I'm sure it would have on sales, I'd challenge Spyderco to orient the compression lock on the Sage 5 like that of the Gunting. Then we'd see whether right handed users felt it was or wasn't "wrong handed".

I can see a left handed person "adapting and overcoming" when there's no choice. But if a truly hand-neutral version a knife is available, why not support it rather than "making do" as we often have to?
Click to expand...

For the record, I did concede the compression lock favored right handed operation the way I use it (and probably the way most people use it). My only point was that you can close it just like a back lock. Most folks probably don't close it that way and most probably don't want to but if you are one of the ones who do then I think there is no bias toward left or right hand operation.

Edit: I just wend and fooled with my pm2 and closing it like a backlock (dropping blade on forefinger) I do still find it slightly easier to push the lock with my right hand, but I think that might be less about bias and more about me being a spaz with my left hand. Here's one thing we can definitely agree on. I prefer a well made backlock in either hand to the compression lock. :)
 
Last edited:
Surfingringo said:
Hi Paul, I think that depends on your closing technique. Some folks close the compression lock just like a backlock. Disengage the lock and let the choil fall onto the index finger then shift knife and close. I think if you are one who closes that way, the lock is perfectly ambidextrous. For the record, I don't usually close a compression lock that way and the technique I use (index finger and freefall blade drop) is much easier right handed.
Click to expand...

Chris "Anagarika";16402117 said:
I'm right handed but carry both sides & operate also both sides. Not having a comp lock, but I have tried my friend's Para 2. I found since the lock is on the spine, I tend to close it the same way as Stretch, thumb on lock, index finger pull the hole down. Both hands do the same, but left is more difficult.
Click to expand...

Thanks for this! Not sure why I never tried to close the PM2 like I close a back lock. It works but it works much better than the awkward way I was closing it with my left hand previously. It gives me an alternative way to close it right-handed too.
 
802-303 said:
As a lefty, I prefer left specific knifes and won't carry right handed knifes..... Until the damn PM2 came around! As Deacon said I was forced to adapt and overcome its right handedness..(it's a word now.) It's second nature to close after some trial and error, but not with out some caution. Not only do I have to "clear my fingers" but I need to do so with little to no grip on the knife.
Click to expand...
I'm happy you're happy with it. One question though - how well do you think the PM2 would have done in the marketplace if Spyderco had built it with the lock on the other side?

Surfingringo said:
For the record, I did concede the compression lock favored right handed operation the way I use it (and probably the way most people use it). My only point was that you can close it just like a back lock. Most folks probably don't close it that way and most probably don't want to but if you are one of the ones who do then I think there is no bias toward left or right hand operation.

Edit: I just wend and fooled with my pm2 and closing it like a backlock (dropping blade on forefinger) I do still find it slightly easier to push the lock with my right hand, but I think that might be less about bias and more about me being a spaz with my left hand. Here's one thing we can definitely agree on. I prefer a well made backlock in either hand to the compression lock. :)
Click to expand...

Lance, FWIW, I'm not suggesting that someone left handed who likes the PM2 should not get it. There's no left handed version, probably never will be, and no hand neutral model of similar shape and thickness, so the choice would be between "adapting" and doing without. The Sage, however, is a different story, a left handed user has the choice of adapting to one of the right handed versions, or purchasing one of the hand neutral versions. I was only making sure they understood there was an option and suggesting they consider it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top