Does ZT 0452 flipper enable left hand carry?

Make doubly SURE you are not putting any pressure on that lock bar. It will be just bout impossible to open with the slightest pressure on it.
Also, the detent will break in.
Had mine almost 2 years and it is an absolute pleasure to obsessively flip!
Cuts pretty damn well too!
Great knife!
Joe
 
I think you guys are right about not putting pressure on the lockbar. I think this raises the issues that will probably cause me to return the knife.

1. Right-hand bias in the design that impacts usability for LH users. Of course, all frame locks (unless specifically made for a LH user), have a built-in bias to RH users. This is usually only an issue for one-handed closing, usually not an issue for opening the knife if it has an ambidextrous thumb stud and flipper without too much resistance. For example, my ZT 0561 opens perfectly fine with my left hand, no problems despite the RH-centric design. I've even gotten good enough at closing it one handed that closing is not a problem, either. If the new ZT 0452cf opened and closed as easily and safely one-handed as my 0561 does, we wouldn't be having this discussion, I'd be a delighted user. But as a LH user, the design of this knife means it's always going to be harder doing one-handed opening. It's hard to both get a good purchase on the knife as a lefty, AND avoid gripping the frame lock to enable smooth opening.

2. Potential safety issues in the design. I've noticed two potential issues. One is, due to the slim handle design that's barely wider than the blade, when the knife is closed, the blade is exposed only about 1/8" inch below the surface of the handles on the side of the knife where the flipper protrudes from the back. This has potential to cut anything that slightly extends in between the handle area. Secondly, the relatively small flipper seems like a hazard for one-handed closing. Normally with other flippers like my ZT 0561, I can close with one hand by pressing the frame lock to one side, and letting the flipper come down and catch on my thumbnail to stop the blade closing on me, then just move my thumb out of the way and let it close. On this knife, while flipping and testing it carefully last night, 3 times at least the small flipper slipped off my thumbnail while closing one-handed, and the blade came down and could have easily cut into the top of my thumb if I hadn't been super careful. There's no such risk with this on the ZT 0561 and other flippers I've had; they have larger flippers and these always catch on your thumb with room to spare.

I'm still gonna keep this knife and test it for a couple more days, but these are the main issue I've noticed that concern me. It's clearly a quality knife, handle, and blade. But the basic design details concern me for the reasons above.
 
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I understand what you're saying completely. And you should not carry a knife that you're not confident with. It's disappointing that more makers don't have dedicated left hand knives. Besides CRK, the left handed knife world is few and far between. At this point, I've learned to accept and adapt as much as possible using right handed knives even if it means I've got to use both hands to operate the knife in a safe manner. Such is the life of a lefty.
So, typically I carry my lefty CRK and a right handed knife for EDC. That gives me the choice of which to use for the task at hand. And that depends on what I'm doing at the time. Truth be known, since I'm left handed, using a off hand knife comes in handy more times than not. And yes, I do have to switch hands to use the knife making it a two handed use knife.
But, I still love the 452 :D
 
I like right handed frame locks and I'm a lefty. It's easier for me to keep my fingers off the lock bar. Instead of all my fingers on that side, I only have to keep my thumb back. I had trouble for a few days as I learned and the detent broke in. Two years later, I would never get rid of it. It is part of a permanent 15 knife collection. I have never used a knife that was hard to use left handed. If the clip flips I'm good to go!

My left handed 21's and all my other right handed frame locks are just as easy to close. I can switch back and forth and never notice. It really just matters if the clip flips. Axis locks are nice. Compression locks are probably the worst.
 
The slim handle doesn't gove alot of room to hold it without hitting the lockbar. Still once you get used to it then it will be second nature. I'm a lefty who has no trouble with this knife.

Also not sure how shorter flipper tab is a safety hazard. Just close the knife the same as a knife without a flipper.
 
M maximus83 , have you looked at the ZT0095 ?????
IMO, it's one of the most useful blade designs that ZT has offered. Since the pocket clip rests on the frame and not the lock bar, using it left handed is a non issue.
 
Look interesting. I'm also considering trying the Cold Steel Recon 1, because it addresses two of my common concerns with folders:

1. Lock strength. Their Triad back lock is super strong.
2. Ambi. Their system is completely ambidextrous.

Overall the Recon 1 looks like a good design, and with it being strong lock and ambi operation, I might consider that as a better alternative (for me--given my preferences) than the ZT 0452cf.
 
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