Any other lefties with an AFCK?

U

UW Mitch

Joined
Nov 2, 1999
Messages
1,437
I just got my mini-AFCK from Robert on the forum. Thanks Robert.
The knife is in great shape, but the only complaint I have is that it is very hard to open left handed because of the clip. Have any other lefties with a right-handed AFCK had this problem?
I know the obvious solution is to take the clip off, but I always clip my knives in my pants pocket. So,I was wondering if I could modify the clip, or flip it to the other side (requiring drilling and tapping) without voiding the warranty. Does anyone have some other solution?

Thanks,
Mitch

 
Hi Mitch

I have the fullsize left handed AFCK so dont have the problem with that but I do have a small BM Stryker that had the same problem ie. the clip gets it the way of your thumb accessing the disk/hole.

I gorund away a bit of the clip with a Dremel loke tool to enable me to get better purchase, you could give that a go it worked ok for me.



------------------
Harvey Wareham

Live Long & Prosper, so you can buy more knives


 
I own the large AFCK, that I purchased several years ago. Being left handed I had a machinist friend of mine move the clip to the other side. This works well for me. Its too bad that knife manufacturers seem to sometimes delibertly forget that we left handed people exist. I know a lot of left handed people who don't purchase these types of knives just for that reason. Remmington firearms is starting to figure this out,as they now make left handed bolt action rifles, of course at a higher price.
 
I'd already thought of the obvious solution, get a lefty model. However, I was trying to save money by getting it for a great price used, rather than forking out more money to get it new.

I think that I may risk voiding my warranty and F#@$ing it up by drilling an tapping my own holes in the machine shop on campus.
I don't know, maybe I feel like just learning to use it right handed, and end my lefty-self-pitty. If the knife won't be ambidextrous, I will.

~Mitch
 
Mitch,

I am also lefty. I had a lefty version of the mini-AFCK for quite some time. I ended up selling it about a year ago because of the combo edge. Some people love the combo, but I have really grown to dislike them. Unfortunately, the combo edge is the only choice for the lefty model.

I didn't make the same mistake when I bought a Stryker. I bought a right handed version with a plain edge. I took it apart (yes and voided the warrenty) and drilled/tapped holes on the opposite side for left side carry. It was simple to do, just take your time. I find the righty Stryker to be extremely easy to close with my left hand.

Best Regards, Todd
 
Hello Mitch,

I own a right-hand version of the AFCK (full-size) but I'm a lefty, and can open it with no real problems.
smile.gif
The "hole" took care of that.

Dan
 
B.Miller:

Knife manufacturers don't deliberately forget that you left handers exist. Actually, several makers do make left hand knives. The problem is that nobody buys them.

It just doesn't make good business sense for a dealer to carry a product that doesn't sell and if dealers don't carry them, manufacturers don't make them. The so called 1/8th of the population that is left handed only buys about 1/100th of the product and that isn't enough to warrant a large inventory of these things. Even UW Mitch who is complaining about the difficulty of opening a right-handed knife with his left hand admits that he could have bought a left hand model but didn't want to spend the money for a new knife. New left hand models don't cost any more than right handed ones.

I've carried left hand models of Spyderco, Benchmade and Chris Reeve knives for years and usually they just sit in the case. I sold my last Spyderco left handed Police model just last week after having it for over a year. I have Benchmade left hand Emerson models that have been there even longer. Nobody buys them.

Actually, Remington has been making left hand rifles for a long time and yes, they are more expensive than right hand models. Savage, on the other hand, is making left hand models for the same price as right hand and has been doing so for years.

Manufacturers ARE making products for left handers. Before you start criticizing them you should make sure you know what you are talking about.

------------------
Dennis Wright
Wright Knife & Sporting Goods
(Buy a knife...confuse a liberal)
La Mesa, CA
1-800-400-1980
wrightknife@ixpres.com



[This message has been edited by Dennis Wright (edited 02 December 1999).]
 
I am also left handed and have carried an old AFCK (made before the LH model or the BT blade came out) in my left hip pocket for years.

I find that I can easily open any right hand knife that is reasonably easy to open by placing the tip of my middle finger on the hole or thumb stud and giving the blade a gentle nudge and a slight flip. There is almost no movement in either the hand or the wrist and the blade opens and locks as gently as if opened slowly by hand.

I am so used to opening a knife like this that do it with knives that have studs on both sides. In fact I looked at a left handed AFCK not long ago, and decided I like my old RH model better.


Mike
 
Dennis Wright, Well excuse me all the pieces ! I only buy knives, I don't manufacture or sell them, you appearantly do . The stats you quoted about selling left handed folders is probably true. I partake in these forums to get information, such as yours for greater knowledge. Thats why I think that last statement you made is out of order !
 
I just want to stop anything bad before it gets out of hand. Dennis Wright and B. Miller, thank you both for you insight into my question. Please don't turn my post into one of those places for people to argue.
I don't know either of you, but it seems lately that people are responding a little too quickly and perhaps a little too agressively on bladeforums.
I come here to listen to and participate in discussions about knives, and sometimes other subjects too, but I don't think that being harsh to each other is something I like very much.

As for my mini-AFCK I haven't decided if I'm going to flip the clip. It seems like it would be a lot of work, and the possibility of screwing up might be high. I've decided to use a dremel and shaving a little off the clip, per bagman's suggestion.

Sincerely,
Mitch
 
The consumer is always right (excuse me correct). Personally, I buy left handed AFCKs.
 
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