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Hey Lefties - Knife Ideas Needed

H

HDStreetBob

Joined
May 22, 2011
Messages
120
I've recently accomplished a personal milestone, so I want a special knife to commemorate it. So I've been searching high and low for a sub $250 lefty or ambidextrous knife. Right now I'm leaning towards a Benchmade 300SSN Axis Flipper. But I'd love some other ideas.

I've looked at Kershaws and ZTs, but I really want a knife that's more lefty, and those with the right-biased liner lock, are not exactly what I'm looking for in this case.

So what other lefty or ambidextrous knife sub-$250 should I consider? The only other stipulation is that it must be made in the US.
 
There are still discontinued left handed Spyderco Military's floating around if you look.
 
All the Benchmade Axis lock models work great for us lefties.
Other than my Large 21 I need to send in for a dual thumb stud,(I can open and close it left handed just not quickly) all the right handed knives I own are easy for me to open quickly and safely.
 
I have a lot of Benchmade Axis locks including two 300's - the original brown one and the 300-1 that's black and blue.

I like the 300-1 better. It's a little thinner and not so "blocky".

I recently picked up a Spyderco Manix 2 second generation and it's kicked everything else out of my pocket. I just really love the leaf shaped blade. It puts the tip at the perfect angle to slice. I also like snapping it open with the thumb hole. It is on the heavy side.

So any axis lock or Spydie Hole would be good. It's a matter of preference.

Good luck and congrats on your achievement.
 
I too have been thinking about giving a BM 300 a try. I was very excited to get my first true LH knife, it is a LH Military, but I was bummed that it just felt awkward to me. I guess so many years of using knives designed for right handed people has ingrained that muscle memory too deep. So I stick to right handed knives until I can afford to replace all of my knives with lefties. For 250 or less I bet you could track down any one of the Manix 2 sprint runs that you might like.
 
Benchmade obviously comes to mind, but the Spyderco Manix is one hell of a knife as well.
 
The AXIS lock is one of the most lefty friendly locks around. That and Spyderco's ball bearing lock found on the Manix line (and a few other models)

And then there is the good ole back lock.

But living in a right hand world I've gotten used to right hand frame/liner locks. So much so that my left hand HEST 2.0 feels funny to close.
 
I would recommend any axis lock however if your considering a 300SN I would highly recommend handling one first, lots of people love theirs but there are also lots of people who don't like them after they get one. The flipper is different feeling from other more common flippers out there so it might not be what you expect.
 
Any axis lock is a great for lefties. I'm a big fan of the Rift and 940. Don't cut out ZT's though - I just acquired a ZT 0561 a couple days ago and have found that it's actually easier to actuate the lock with my left hand than my right (I'm a righty), on account of the G10 blocking easy access to the lockbar. That said it's great to flip with either hand.
 
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If you want to spend a lot on a very fine knife, go Benchmade. If you want a good user that you won't mind beating up, get a Cold Steel Voyager, American Lawman, Recon- 1, or whichever suits your tastes. TriAd Lock blades are completely ambi and come with both left and right hand clips. Just depends on what you want
* Benchmades are great users too but I could never bring myself to use the one or two I have owned. Too dang nice on the F&F.
 
Lots of good suggestions. The only real reason I want a lefty knife is because it represents part of who I am, not that I can't use righty tools. I am left-hand dominant, but can function rather well using my right hand also.

I was unaware of the details of the Manix and bearing lock, so I will add that to my short list. I'll have to look for it orange, but I'm sure that'll cost me a few bucks.

Seems to be some hesitation on the BM 300SSN, so I wish I could handle one before buying, but there are no retailers around here that I can think of that would carry one.

And interesting that one poster mentioned the ZT0561, as that was the knife I was originally going to get, but backed off some because I thought I would look more towards lefty knives.
 
amg137 said:
Don't cut out ZT's though - I just acquired a ZT 0561 a couple days ago and have found that it's actually easier to actuate the lock with my left hand
Click to expand...

Same here, and I am a southpaw. I've had zero issues carrying a 561 for right on a year now, very lefty friendly folders.
 
An unmentioned area that is usually lefty friendly is a Bali-song. It's a limited field of appreciation, but to those who like 'em, it's very ambidextrous. Some have clips on them, and may not all be switchable, but it's at least worth a look, if you lean that way. Of course, Benchmade tops that category as well.
 
HDStreetBob said:
Lots of good suggestions. The only real reason I want a lefty knife is because it represents part of who I am, not that I can't use righty tools. I am left-hand dominant, but can function rather well using my right hand also.

I was unaware of the details of the Manix and bearing lock, so I will add that to my short list. I'll have to look for it orange, but I'm sure that'll cost me a few bucks.

Seems to be some hesitation on the BM 300SSN, so I wish I could handle one before buying, but there are no retailers around here that I can think of that would carry one.

And interesting that one poster mentioned the ZT0561, as that was the knife I was originally going to get, but backed off some because I thought I would look more towards lefty knives.
Click to expand...

There are Manix 2 sprint runs (as Spyderco calls them) in a variety of colors. Orange is one of them.

You can look on the exchange here or on the very large auction site that starts with an E.

If you check the sold listings, you'll see they usually go north of $250.
 
I have the BM 300-1 with the combo edge. I liked it enough to buy one for a friend but with the plain edge.
 
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