Hello, first post and lefty EDC folder question

jmgruber

jmgruber

Gold Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2018
Messages
1,454
Hello Blade Forum!
I have a friend who introduced me to the wonderful world of knife collecting recently. I'm left-handed and don't want to adapt to a right-handed knife. I have a Spyderco Squeak, Gerber Bear Grylls folder and two knives by the company that is similarly named to a blue muppet character.

Two questions

1. Should I continue with some cheaper knives to see what I like as far as lock up, size, scale material and then buy something a little pricier? Please share your thoughts on if you think I should continue and if there is something different than what I have.

2. Or looking at Southern Grind Spider Monkey, Kizer Gemini and maybe a Benchmade for a pricier option - so $150-200. Any suggestions for EDC lefties in this range? Thanks.
 
Last edited:
Not dodging your question by saying this but you should do what makes you happiest.

Speaking only for myself and how learn things, I've found that knives that either look good on paper (or online) or that feel or work great in my hand initially don't work for me after a week or month of carrying and using it. I suspected this would be the case for me given how I warm up to equipment in other sports/hobbies. I've wasted a lot of money on knives but I intentionally kept my purchase prices very low for a long time. This allowed me to sort what I really like in terms of size, shape, blade grind, blade combinations, etc.

In short, I chose option 1 in your list and don't regret it in the slightest.
 
#2. You could end up with a drawer full of $20 junk knives or buy a good knife to begin with. If you don't like the more expensive, it shouldn't lose much value on the secondary market, especially if you shop around for a good deal. I wish I'd known about quality knives at an earlier age, I could have avoided several turds.
 
Dpx makes the best bang for the buck edc lefty. The hest f triple black left hand. Titanium, G10, German niolox steel 3.25" blade and the best pocket clip in the business. It ain't no wimpy thin blade like pretty much everything out there. Retail about 200 bucks.
http://imgur.com/ndFpHKR
 
Last edited:
I'm a lefty and like the Benchmade Axis lock knives, which are completely ambidextrous. Get yourself a Griptilian, which is available in a variety of blade shapes, or a Bugout, both of which are reasonably priced (for a Benchmade). The Grip is a classic EDC knife, and the more recent Bugout, which has a slicier blade, is very popular. Love 'em both.

I don't have any Spydercos yet, but the Manix 2 with its' Ball Bearing Lock looks pretty lefty friendly. And the back lock knives like the Delica work the same right or left handed, but I'm not crazy about back locks.
 
jmgruber said:
Hello Blade Forum!
I have a friend who introduced my to the wonderful world of knife collecting recently. I'm left-handed and don't want to adapt to a right-handed knife. I have a Spyderco Squeak, Gerber Bear Grylls folder and two knives by the company that is similarly named to a blue muppet character.

Two questions

1. Should I continue with some cheaper knives to see what I like as far as lock up, size, scale material and then buy something a little pricier? Please share your thoughts on if you think I should continue and if there is something different than what I have.

2. Or looking at Southern Grind Spider Monkey, Kizer Gemini and maybe a Benchmade for a pricier option - so $150-200. Any suggestions for EDC lefties in this range? Thanks.
Click to expand...

I'm a lefty. I own left handed guitars and a lefty rifle. I also own a lefty CRK Sebenza. That said, as left handers, we excel at adapting. I've found that right handed knives are very easy to adapt to. Ambidextrous or righty or lefty, to me, they are all equal.

I'd suggest don't limit yourself. You'll miss out on some great knives if you do.
 
I recently purchased the Manix 2 and can attest to it being as easily deployed for me right-handed or left-handed, and the clip is reversible. It was priced right around $100, and is an extremely well built knife.
 
Fellow lefty here. As a lefty I’m good with any lock, the only thing is I need left carry, (tip up). But as far as lock types are concerned, backlocks are very lefty friendly, as is the axis lock but I prefer Spyderco’s cbbl. Manix 2 is an outstanding knife! Take a look at traditional slipjoints too.(GEC in particular).
I also like, just cause, having lefty dedicated stuff too so I’ve got a plain large insingo sebenza and a small reg blade with micarta inlays. I’ve also got a custom lefty Smock SK23, (first lefty he made).
 
Get you a Victorinox Soldier. Perfect lefty knife AND it's a multi-tool!
 
Man, are you in luck!
MassDrop Keen Laconico has sold out their entire run, except for a lefty original bronze EDC folder for about $145. It's in S35VN and the folks here who have purchased one of these are raving about them. I have one clipped in my pocket right now, and I sent my Colorado son one of them also. I personally think that this is a great buy and I would urge you to go after one... Your lefty original bronze is the ONLY pattern still in stock...
Good luck.
 
Left handed here, some options:

Benchmade’s lineup is almost entirely ambi.
Protech makes a left hand TR3
Jake Hoback has an ambi clip liner lock
Microtech duel edge OTF
Chris Reeves makes Left hand options

I personally prefer right hand frame and liner locks with Ambi clip options.

Massdrop has a lot of left hand options available, the Gavko left hander is awesome.

As someone mentioned above the Laconico Keen on MD is a steal at their cost.

Personally I prefer Benchmade since the Axis lock is an Ambi lock and they offer dual clip placement options on almost everything.

The Benchmade Griptilian models are on sale right now from several forum dealers, I would pick a Grip or mini Grip to try out.
 
Sonnydaze said:
Man, are you in luck!
MassDrop Keen Laconico has sold out their entire run, except for a lefty original bronze EDC folder for about $145. It's in S35VN and the folks here who have purchased one of these are raving about them. I have one clipped in my pocket right now, and I sent my Colorado son one of them also. I personally think that this is a great buy and I would urge you to go after one... Your lefty original bronze is the ONLY pattern still in stock...
Good luck.
Click to expand...

halflife78 said:
Left handed here, some options:

Benchmade’s lineup is almost entirely ambi.
Protech makes a left hand TR3
Jake Hoback has an ambi clip liner lock
Microtech duel edge OTF
Chris Reeves makes Left hand options

I personally prefer right hand frame and liner locks with Ambi clip options.

Massdrop has a lot of left hand options available, the Gavko left hander is awesome.

As someone mentioned above the Laconico Keen on MD is a steal at their cost.

Personally I prefer Benchmade since the Axis lock is an Ambi lock and they offer dual clip placement options on almost everything.

The Benchmade Griptilian models are on sale right now from several forum dealers, I would pick a Grip or mini Grip to try out.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the Massdrop suggestion - it appears the Laconico is only left hand carry, not left hand specific and the Gavko is a little too far out there design wise for my taste right now.
 
Thanks everyone. I think I'm going to make a trip to Cabela's on Monday and check out some of the knives they have available.
 
jmgruber said:
Thank you for the Massdrop suggestion - it appears the Laconico is only left hand carry, not left hand specific and the Gavko is a little too far out there design wise for my taste right now.
Click to expand...

A flipper is really easy to use as a lefty even when the lock is in right hand configuration. I actually prefer right hand frame locks because I find it easier to manipulate compared to a left hand frame lock. This is a personal preference, but my left hand framelock knives give me way more trouble, especially when they are smaller.

I have the Laconico, the right hand frame lock with the flipper on it give me zero issues, it's beside me right now as I am carrying it today.

I would use Cabela's to hold some knives, then come back and buy one via a vendor here. Will probably be cheaper and better service overall.
 
jmgruber said:
Thank you for the Massdrop suggestion - it appears the Laconico is only left hand carry, not left hand specific and the Gavko is a little too far out there design wise for my taste right now.
Click to expand...
Hi, I'm sorry about that. I have NO idea what you mean...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top