Good knives for lefties

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Lodd

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Jan 23, 2015
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This thread is an offshoot of the thread 'other bad knives for lefties'. But, this thread is the reverse: What are some good knives for left-handed people?

Being left-handed myself, it's always a struggle to ascertain how suitable a knife is for left-handed use and carrying in my left pocket, especially when ordering online.(There aren't many good brick and mortar stores around my place for knives).

To start us off, I would suggest that any knife that requires both hands to open and close (such as traditional knives) just as suitable for lefties as they are for righties. In a way, these knives are the most ambidextrous of all, actually requiring two hands at the same time :)

But there are so many great knives out there that just create small problems for left-handed users, such as: uncomfortable ergonomics in the left hand, impratictality while operating the locking mechanism or closing the knife, clip options that make carry in the left pocket impractical and so forth.

So, bladeforums, I ask you: What knives can you recommend for left-handed people? What makes you recommend them?
 
Lodd said:
Btw, which models are that and why do you recommend them for lefties? I'm not terribly familiar with spyderco's offerings.
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Thoight I should reply here rather than the other thread. The above are the left hand versions of the Spyderco Military (top) and Para Military 2. The Military is a few years old, but Spyderco is re-releasing them later this year. The Lefty PM2 was just released for the first time a few weeks ago.

Really awesome of Spyderco IMO, they're complete left hand models, even all of the blade markings are reversed. Spyderco also makes a ton of full ambi blades, mostly back-locks, but there a few other ambi lock types. Some of my favorites are the Manix2, Native 5, Chaparral, and the UKPK/Caly line.
 
I am left handed, and I find the Axis lock is the easiest and most pleasant lock for me to open. However, the biggest deal breaker is when I cannot carry the knife left handed in my pocket. I can't tell you how many knives I have passed on because they don't tap it for lefty's. I've tried frame lock flippers and just could not keep my fingers off the lock 100% of the time.

Benchmade makes many of their knives tapped for lefty carry and with the Axis lock I tend to gravitate toward them. My favorite knife to carry is still a Benchmade 550-1.

Oddly enough Spyderco came out with their Lefty Para 2 and I have no interest in it because I have learned how to use the righty.
 
Some knives are ok with practice. I like to fiddle. Though I'm right handed, I like to play with stuff in my left to improve dexterity.

Cheap try? Kershaw Emerson CQC-6/7/8K. Brilliant cheap knives, steel bit soft but can get quite sharp. Tip up carry but you can change the clip sides. You may need to write in to KAI for the scaleside fasteners for the 6-7K (clip is on framelock side). But the 8K is liner lock so the clip fasteners are the same length both sides. These knives in particular, one hand opening and closing or waving from any side is easy.

Ooh,yes.., I almost forgot, bali's, of course, if you're allowed. Basic opening and closing is not too tricky to learn. The fancy flashy twirly twirly stuff, well, yeah, bit more coordination, but really, simple one handed opening and closing can be mastered, with some practice... a dull blade first of course. Legal disclaimer : I do not own a Bali now - they're illegal in Australia, but I have in the past when elsewhere.
 
I like lock backs for the most part, Spyderco and Cold Steel are my go-to. I carried my LH Millie for a few years and liked it but I've become fairly ambidextrous over the years and tend to carry my right handed Millie's more. I like the liner lock of the Millie but the lock back is universal in operation and the handles seem to have better symmetry giving a more comfortable grip.

I carry a lot of FRN Spyderco's like the Endura, Stretch and Delica but I am really liking the quality and utility of the CS Ultimate Hunter in Orange G-10 that I recently purchased.
 
I think left handedness is mostly an issue for folders ... or am I wrong? I'll second the Benchmade axis lock nomination. It is completely bilateral side-to-side. The clip can be moved pretty easily - though you need a Torx driver. Personally I prefer the Doug Ritter RSK Mk1.
 
As previously stated, the worst part is not being able to carry in the left pocket due to lack of clip positions. I'm a lefty and have no problem using any lock. It may not be as easy for me compared to a right handed person, but no lock is hard or avoided. Obviously symmetrical locks like lock backs or axis locks are just as good for anyone. But frame/liner or compression locks are fine for me and I think most lefties. A left handed para isn't necessary as we lefties have figured it out. I have two ways of closing that are both secure and still Spyderco fun. I actually PREFER right handed frame locks. My thumb is on the locking side and its EASY to keep it off the lock bar. When I try to open right handed it's hard because my finger tips get onto the lock bar. I did buy a left handed Sebenza 21. I worried about having two different frame locks and my fingers getting confused. I had to get the left one as it only has a thumb stud on that side. I took me a few days, but it's all good now. The brain keeps the left and right sided locks separate just fine. A left handed frame lock is just fine, but I PREFER a right handed lock... despite being a lefty? To me a standard right handed Sebenza (or any frame lock) with the stud flipped for around for lefty opening is the best lock that fits my preferences.
 
Whoa, this thread really took off. Awesome suggestions, guys. My birthday is coming up in about 2 months, so I can start looking around for a gift for myself :)

kenk said:
I think left handedness is mostly an issue for folders ... or am I wrong? I'll second the Benchmade axis lock nomination. It is completely bilateral side-to-side. The clip can be moved pretty easily - though you need a Torx driver. Personally I prefer the Doug Ritter RSK Mk1.
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Well, you raise an interesting point actually. Although with fixed blades you can usually use them in either hand, the sheath is almost always only suited for right-handed people. (You can usually put them on your left side, but then the knife is facing to wrong way and you still have to cross-draw with your right hand). I hope this makes sense.

I've been looking around at a lot of fixed blades and the only sheath that was reversible without breaking the warranty was the version of the Lionsteel M5 in black G10 that comes with the special Kydex sheath. If you want a sheath for left-handed carry, you are often condemned to have a custom sheath made for you.

This is such a shame too, because I've also seen a lot of cases where the sheath could have been made reversible with very little effort (I'm looking at you, TOPS B.O.B.).
 
Becker sheaths are ambidextrous for nearly everything currently available. Not the fanciest, but they work fine.
 
Lodd said:
Well, you raise an interesting point actually. Although with fixed blades you can usually use them in either hand, the sheath is almost always only suited for right-handed people. (You can usually put them on your left side, but then the knife is facing to wrong way and you still have to cross-draw with your right hand). I hope this makes sense.

I've been looking around at a lot of fixed blades and the only sheath that was reversible without breaking the warranty was the version of the Lionsteel M5 in black G10 that comes with the special Kydex sheath. If you want a sheath for left-handed carry, you are often condemned to have a custom sheath made for you.

This is such a shame too, because I've also seen a lot of cases where the sheath could have been made reversible with very little effort (I'm looking at you, TOPS B.O.B.).
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Bradford's Guardian 3 FB is available with a kydex sheath and a Spyderco G-clip. The G-clip can be attached to either side of the sheath making it fully ambidextrous as well as allowing it to ride horizontally, vertically, or in between on either side. ESEE's FBs also come with kydex sheaths that can be set up for carry on either side.

As far as folders go, I can only second the ones that have been mentioned... the AXIS lock from BM, Spyderco's compression lock and mid-locks, Al Mar's mid-locks, Steel Will's mid-lock, and A. G. Russell's One-Handed Knife (IIRC it's ambi, not sure though).
 
All SAK one handers have liner locks that are reversed. Perfect for lefties.

Zieg
 
Chris reeve makes left handed knives
Spyderco makes left handed knives
Dpx makes left handed knives
Protech makes left handed autos
All Benchmade knives with axis lock are ambidextrous

All knife brands mentioned make true left handed knives designed only for left handed users
 
CRK makes left handed knives and in all models. Some are not as common as others, but they're out there.
ZT's liner locks can be set up for L.H. carry i.e 0770

 
Benchmade Axis lock knives are, I think the best left options out there unless you're looking to hunt down left-handed CRKs. Which you should. Buy them all.
 
The Spyderco Streetbeat is a great little EDCable fixie with an ambidextrous sheath.
 
Wow, surprised to see lefties poo-pooing the left-hand para 2 and left handed frame/liner locks. -???

I'd say you're fooling yourselves big time, especially if you haven't tried them, but whatever, different strokes and ymmv. Use what makes you happy. :thumbsup:

iirc, Sal stated that the left handed runs are limited production (~500 pcs?) and will only be done every 5 yrs or so depending on demand. I don't expect them to sell out quick, but eventually they will dry up and it may be several yrs before they're around again. I'm already thinking about a 2nd lefty para2 to have a back-up and may put custom scales on one. Plan to get the new lh Military for the same reasons, hope it will also have all the cqi improvements that the regular model received.
 
I knife fondle sometimes when bored, hopefully not to an unhealthy extent. I go back and forth between hands. After a few days use, IN MY OPINION, the lock doesn't matter that much. I can use a left or right handed knife in either the left of right hand. Yes, one is a little easier, but I use my left hand most of the time. If the clip can be moved to the left side then the lock is the least of my worries. Blade geometry, length and steel are more on my mind as well as handle material.

The entire theme of this thread so far is -does it carry on the left side. This is the issue for fixed and folding knives it seems. Also, it's nice to meet some fellow lefties!

It's worth noting that I held a para2 several times at GP knives and walked away because it's not a lefty knife. I said screw it and bought one knowing it could be easily sold. After a few days I was easily able to open and close it different ways. Knives are simple tools and don't require extra special dexterity to operate. Writing is very different from pushing a metal bar over.

inkynate: I wasn't trying to poo-poo left handed locks. They are totally functional like any other lock. I learned how to use right handed knives and realized that it was not the obstacle that I once thought. I may represent the left handed minority, but I prefer right handed liner/frame locks. I think it has something to do with pushing with the thumb vs pulling with it.
 
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