Fully Ambidextrous Folders?

D

dryflytrout

Joined
Jan 15, 2017
Messages
293
Will you guys please list your favorite examples are knives that are mirror images of themselves? As a left handed person who complains almost daily about everything from the line at the grocery store to door knobs being backwards, I want a folder that doesn't feel backwards. Somewhere around $100 would be perfect but I could go a littler higher for the right knife.
I was looking at a Native 5 the other night and just found myself looking at them again. Before I commit to that i'd like to at least look at some other knives that are tip up/tip down left/right, and have a lock and opening method that are identical from both sides.
Thanks
 
You won't get tip up/down options, but some of the SOG arc-lock knives are fully ambi, some are not. I think the pentagon and spec elites are, and there is some choice in size there. You would have to look more into it, I think its only the spring assist ones that are right handed, but I might be wrong there.
 
Ok here is a pretty comprehensive answer:



Backlocks are mostly fully ambi.

The Benchmade Axis lock is also fully ambi.

The Spyderco Ball Bearing lock is fully ambi.

Also lots of slip joints or friction folders are fully ambi.

Honestly I have no problem operating righty knives (example: linerlock, framelock, compression lock) with my left hand. With some practice it is quite easy.

I just do it like this.

Y8CDrA1.jpg


Edit: compression lock is pretty awkward in left hand. In order to get your fingers out the way you have to use a very weird unstable grip.
gUaZSUO.jpg
 
Last edited:
Native 5 is good...not my favorite for ergonomics. I’d go with a Manix 2 or Benchmade Griptillian. Might look at a Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter too if you can find one around your range. I use knives left handed from time to time and honestly don’t mind most framelocks, FWIW.
 
Benchmade's AXIS lock and Spyderco's BB lock are good ambidextrous options if you're willing to go without tip down carry. I don't think any AXIS folder has TD carry but I might be wrong on that. That leaves you with Spyderco's back lock(I think BM has a few back locks too) like the Delica and Endura, both of which meet your criteria. Cold Steel does a lot with back locks but most don't have TD carry. There are others who offer good ambi knives but that's all I got off the top of my head.

For most knives you're going to have to give up TD carry.

OP, do you carry tip down?

To answer your question, with the exception of TD carry, I really like the Benchmade Mini Grip and the 940 Osborne. I had a delica, it was very comfortable knife but I sold it for a Mantra 1(basically the same thing but a frame lock and M4 steel)
 
Last edited:
You can’t go wrong with Spyderco back locks. I love the Delica.

FWIW, I find standard framelocks more convenient to operate with my left hand. I nicked my right thumb at least three times with my new Domino in the last week. Not once with the left.
 
Cow51 said:
Benchmade's AXIS lock and Spyderco's BB lock are good ambidextrous options if you're willing to go without tip down carry. I don't think any AXIS folder has TD carry but I might be wrong on that. That leaves you with Spyderco's back lock(I think BM has a few back locks too) like the Delica and Endura, both of which meet your criteria. Cold Steel does a lot with back locks but most don't have TD carry. There are others who offer good ambi knives but that's all I got off the top of my head.

For most knives you're going to have to give up TD carry.

OP, do you carry tip down?
Click to expand...
If I carry a folder it's a buck 110 that I wear horizontally. Otherwise I've never had a folder that felt natural, because I'm kind of a noob and because I just avoided folders mostly. I've never carried one long enough to figure out what I prefer really. Which is why I'd like something with both.
 
dryflytrout said:
If I carry a folder it's a buck 110 that I wear horizontally. Otherwise I've never had a folder that felt natural, because I'm kind of a noob and because I just avoided folders mostly. I've never carried one long enough to figure out what I prefer really. Which is why I'd like something with both.
Click to expand...

If your goal is to try out all four clip positions in order to figure out which you like best then Spyderco Endura or Delica or Native are very hard to beat.

Or find a used pm2 for under 100$. That is what I would probably do.
 
Only problem with a PM2 is they are a bitch left handed.

Axis Lock has been the best ambi knife for me.
Also, the Manix2.
I find frame and liner locks pretty simple with my left.
Good luck!
Joe
 
palonej said:
Only problem with a PM2 is they are a bitch left handed.

Axis Lock has been the best ambi knife for me.
Also, the Manix2.
I find frame and liner locks pretty simple with my left.
Good luck!
Joe
Click to expand...
Not the left handed PM2, that one should be fairly straightforward.
;):D

Aside from that you have the Left Handed Sebenza.
 
dryflytrout said:
If I carry a folder it's a buck 110 that I wear horizontally. Otherwise I've never had a folder that felt natural, because I'm kind of a noob and because I just avoided folders mostly. I've never carried one long enough to figure out what I prefer really. Which is why I'd like something with both.
Click to expand...

I agree with lapedog, if you want to try both get a Delica. However, most of the time it doesn't really make a difference, it's just getting used to one or the other. The only other strong factor than personal opinion is ''deployment speed'', which most here will tell you is a silly idea and ill relevant towards most edc utility use. I prefer tip up but can carry tip down just as well. If you see a knife that you really like but it's only tip up, you pretty safe to go ahead and try it.
 
I guess the obvious answers would be Benchmades with their Axis Locks ... and Spydercos with their Ball Bearing Lock which is very similiar in usage to the Axis ...

But don't over look ZTs that are liner locks and have both scale of G10 or Carbon Fiber ... such as the 350s or 770s ... those are very easy to operate with either hand also.

You mentioned the Native 5 which happens to be my favorite Spyderco ... so because of the Sypdie Hole and the size of that knife it is very ambidextrious IMHO.
 
Fellow lefty here- I prefer BM's Axis lock because it's 100% lefty friendly and most/all of the Axis lock knives I know have ambi clip compatibility. However, I got used to operating liner and frame locks with my left hand- I use my middle finger to disengage the lock, and my index to close the blade (using my thumb was just very awkward for me). I got so used to that, that when I bought my first true lefty knife, (CRK Umnumzaan) I actually found I prefer right handed liner/frame lock. My EDC rotation consists mostly of right handed liner and frame lock knives, so my recommendation as a lefty is to make sure the clip is ambi and get used to closing a liner/framelock with your middle finger.
 
Not fully, but front flippers are ambidextrous.
I can open and close it with my left hand, although I am righty.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top