Help the lefty!

R

rcoulas

Joined
Jul 23, 2005
Messages
141
Hi,
I'm interested in finding a good quality tactical style folder, the problem is I'm a lefty. I have an emerson cqc-7 and I like it very much but it's made for the other side :D I have been searching around and have noticed that emerson offers to change the clip. The SOG pentagon elite also has a revesable clip.
Are there any other options out there?? I'd like something with about a 4 inch
Blade. Price ??? as long as it is built well this is for an EDC.
Thanks
Randy
 
Any of the Benchmade AXIS locks will be 100% ambidexterous. Thumb studs on each size, lock accessable on either side, and they're all tapped for putting the clip on either side. For a 4" knife, there's the 710 and 806 AFCK. The 710 is more of a working knife. It's flat ground and a bit thinner, so it makes an excellent slicer. The 806 is more robust, geared a bit more toward defense than utility (although it'd still make a nice working knife).

Or, look at the Spyderco Manix. Opening and lock are both ambidexterous, and the clip can be mounted on either side too. Knives don't get much beefier than a Manix (not at that price point anyway).

Any of these 3 can be had for less than $125.
 
I was just going to say that so I'll just second the axis lock. I absolutely love my 420 Resistor by BenchMade. Even more since I put a Wave mod on it.

See here on post number 5 for some pics of it if you want. This is a great tactical knife IMO even without the Wave added to it. You can see a plain edge that I did for a friend in Austrailia on my homepage in my profile also.

One thing about the Axis lock. They are perhaps the smoothest opening and closing knives I've ever handled. I don't think thumb studs are even necessary on them. I never use mine. I either pull it out let the wave open it or I pull back the lock and flick it open.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=359757
 
I'm also a lefty, and all I carry are Benchmade folders! You might want to take a look at the 710, 805 (discontinued, but worth the search for one), or 806 since you are looking for about a 4" blade.
 
I'm lefty! Besides BM(which may be my choice) there are some Spyderco models that can be set up for lefty carry.
 
I have the 806, and like it quite a bit, or since nobody has mentioned it, you could always go with a BM-42 balisong for fun;).
 
Another southpaw here, and another vote for the Benchmade AXIS lock knives, totally lefty friendly!
 
AAAAAnnnnd another vote goes to Benchmades Axis Lock!!!

But the Camillus Heat is also leftie friendly even though it isn´t 100%.
 
Agreed with the rest. I'm "mostly" lefty :) Even the Spydie Compression Lock can be used lefty with a bit of practice :) For me it's mostly my BM556 Mini-Grip (AXIS) and Spydie FRN Delica (lockback) that see the most EDC type use. I personally don't mind framelocks/liner locks as a lefty as long as they have dual thumb studs, or at least a reversible thumbstud, like the Ka-Bar/Dozier folding hunter series.

- gord
 
even though we are 10 to 20 percent of the market, we ultimately don't count. Whether you are looking at a distinctive Spyderco inlay for a Dragonfly or a William Henry buttonlock, you lose. I lose. WH and Spyderco lose. The reason... don't know supposedly it's #s. the return on investment of lefties may not justify the tooling costs of a left handed version of the former. Plenty of left handed alternatives for knife knuts. Just not enough of the distinctive ones that count. Go axis.

Kref
 
When I had my right wrist broken in a car accident, I became an 'honorary leftie' and found that the MicroTech Ultratech worked left-handed just fine.

I carry my EDC in my left pocket now that I'm healed. It's been a very eye-opening aspect of an otherwise miserable experience, and changed my awareness to left-oriented products.

It's actually amazing to realize how many things are 'right-centric', including the Leatherman Charge, which is almost impossible to open its blades left-handed!
 
Thanks all for the info. I was always leaning toward the benchmades and all the input about them has pretty much made up my mind.
Thanks
Randy
 
We lefties are definately a minority in the world of knives, guns and tools. :mad: For a folder I like the Buck 110 but then again I'm not a "tactical" kind of guy. :D Sounds like Benchmade has we lefties in mind. Good luck with your search. ;)
Scott
 
For production I reckon lockback, that's what I prefer. My favourite lock blade is a lefty linerlock I had made. If you want a custom shop around there are makers out there who don't charge extra for a lefty version
Mitch
 
Kershaws new Blade Show offerings have not forsaken the Lefty! The Spec Bump, with it's Stud-Lock is completly Ambidextrious.
 
You need a left handed Chris Reeve Sebenza. Well built? It is in a class of its own. If you are not a collector it may just be the last knife you ever buy. If you are a collector, then you will buy many of them and be broke like some of us. For the price of one Sebenza you can buy 2-3 Benchmades, or Spydercos that are also very nice, but when you scratch one of them up you can't send them back to the factory to be refurbished for $23.00. There is also a bit more hand work in a Sebenza. Trust me. And if you don't like it you can always just sell it here and get your money back and buy something less expensive.
 
USAFSP said:
You need a left handed Chris Reeve Sebenza...
Click to expand...

What USAFSP said.

I have carried a Left Handed small Sebenza for the last 3 years and I wouldn't carry anything else.

If you need a large blade (and you don't) get the 3.5 inch large Sebenza.

I've had them both and I prefer the small.
 
Thanks I checked out the Chris Reeves web site and the knives are excellent.
I just need to save my pennies and do some thinking. After seeing some of the knives it will be a very hard choice but it would be nice to have a true lefty knife.
Thanks again to everyone
Randy
 
Another vote here for Chris Reeve Knives. Their leftys are totally dedicated left hand versions (not just a right hand knife that can be used left handed). Also I like the framelock because I think it's a more secure and durable lock. Also the easy take down and cleaning of the Sebenza is a big plus as are the bushing mechanism and insanely tight tolerances. I've had a couple omega spings on the axis break and I'm not real comfortable with a lock that relies on such a seemingly fragile part. No Sebbies aren't cheap but hey I think you get what you pay for. ;)

I've gotten some very nice left hand customs in the $300-$400 range. Some of the better makers will do them and only a few charge extra, but all have about a year waiting list and as was previously mentioned, making left hand knives just doesn't get done because the market doesn't justify it.

I personally prefer the large Sebenza. It seems to work better for me as a food prep knife. The Mnandi does all my occupational duty. One of the neatest little knives I own is a left hand plain Umfaan. God I'm sure glad I picked it up when I did. Good luck, you got a lot to think about. :)
 
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