Folder ideas for a left-handed girl?

T

TommyRuss

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Apr 14, 2009
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My girlfriend is finally on board with carrying a knife and I want to buy one for her. Application will be purely self-defense. She's played with my Spyderco Native, Kershaw Leek and Emerson A-100 and found them all difficult to present and open, so we're favoring a thumb-stud assisted opener.

A few characteristics we're looking for:

  • Left-handed use
  • Assisted opening preferred
  • "Girl" (smaller hands) friendly
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Considering the CRKT Heiho but open to any brand/price point.
 
I assume she has had some knife-based self-defense training if you are buying her a "purely self-defense" knife? If so, I would consult with whoever gave her the training.

Also, have you established that assisted opening significantly decreases her "deployment time"?
 
How bout the benchmade 583 barrage tanto?
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If its for self defense the tanto style is a way to go. Can usually find them for around $100. Reversible tip up carry and assisted
 
Our trainer first recommends a small fixed blade (Emerson La Griffe, etc.) in centerline or off-centerline carry, which isn't going to happen with her. Second recommendation, folder-specific is whatever the student is most comfortable indexing and deploying.

Regarding assisted opening: she could barely single-hand open using the Spyderco hole or the Kershaw flipper, so we're hoping the assisted opening will at least allow for one-handed opening. That said, would consider non-assist as well.
 
I think a mini Barrage would be best. It's fairly small and completely ambidextrous.
 
TommyRuss said:
Our trainer first recommends a small fixed blade (Emerson La Griffe, etc.) in centerline or off-centerline carry, which isn't going to happen with her. Second recommendation, folder-specific is whatever the student is most comfortable indexing and deploying.

Regarding assisted opening: she could barely single-hand open using the Spyderco hole or the Kershaw flipper, so we're hoping the assisted opening will at least allow for one-handed opening. That said, would consider non-assist as well.
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why is a small fixed blade out of the question? if she is having problems deploying a folder this seems like the route to go, and those small ones are pretty concealable so having a knife poke out shouldn't be a problem, maybe a small pocket sheath in her purse if she carries one?

As a southpaw myself an easy to open defensive folder would be a JYD, even though it's a flipper there is enough mass in the blade to get it out with a nice wrist flick. even for small hands (mine are 7" x 3 1/2" wide, so I too have small hands)

That being said, I dont recall the A-100 having a wave (though im not too familiar with the emerson line up) so maybe a waved knife would be of interest? not a whole lot of dexterity required there, just some strong pocket seams
 
I'd go with a Ritter mini grip. S30V blade steel, axis lockblades can be deployed with near identical speed to most assisted opening knives. It is completely ambidextrous in that the pocket clip is reversable and the axis lock can be used from either side. With a little practice I think she could learn to deploy it with a high degree of speed and precision. Plus its available in PINK and is non threatening enough that she shouldn't have a problem using it as a utility knife if need be.
 
As a lefty I would recommend the spyderco delica.
 
Look into the Benchmade 530. Or the 530-901 that has blue handles and S30v. Very quick opening, although not assisted, and slim but capable. About $80.
 
Pink mini Doug Ritter griptilian:D
not assisted but ambidextrous and an awesome knife.
plus you would be helping support women's cancer research and treatment!!
 
I'd say something with an axis lock or axis assist, also the Delica or endura, especially since you can get trainers with those, so she can practice with them.
 
The benchmade 940 osbourne is slim, light, and has a great steel and construction. its also easy to open and though its not assisted its lightning fast. i find it very comfortable for indexing as well. the reverse tanto is fine enough for good penetration and strong enough not to break and be good for utility work as well. as a lefty its fully ambidextrous with a reversible pocket clip and the axis lock. i love it for edc.
 
marcinek said:
What does a tanto, in particular, "bring to the party"?
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Well the tanto blade style is used for mainly for the ease of penetration. Its mainly a self defense knife. Not very useful for other things like cutting since it has no belly (although still possible) whatsoever. I found this out with the arrival of a particular tanto i bought. But for purely self defense? Id go with anyday!
 
Kershaw Leek will easily open by either blade protrusion or thumbsutd for any hand size.
Kershaw Zing is not assisted but it can easily open by a flick of wrist.
 
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Get yourself a nice Chris Reeve sebenza. They make dedicated lefty knives. They are the best!
 
As a fellow lefty, and thinking for a girl's usage, the Spyderco Native is good. About a 3" blade, lightweight, VERY strong lockback, and fully ambi. Also I agree with the suggestion of a Ritter mini grip, the Axis lock is hard to beat for a lefty.
 
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