Junk Yard Dog II for lefties? Clip too big?

M

mnsp

Joined
Jan 14, 2006
Messages
5
Hi all,

Some background to my question: my first clip folder was (and still is) a Delica 1st gen, bought about 15 years ago. Since the clip on this knife is integral, I got used to work with the knife on the left hand, using the clip to wrap my fingers around. With time, this became my preferred position, so when I bought a 550 (large) Griptillian a few months ago, I decided to leave the clip in the "right-handed" position. My experience with the Grip has been very good, and I would like to buy another knife of similar size. That is where the JYDII comes into play.

Now, since I live near Paris is not so easy to find brick-and-mortar shops where I can hold the JYDII and check if the super-clip they have designed on this knife would be confortable for a lefty. On the pictures, it looks a bit big, and I am afraid my fingers would not close confortably around it. So here's the question: are there any left-handed JYDII users out there who could help with their experiences? Or right-handed ones who would take the time to hold the knife on their other hand to describe the fit? I know hands are very different in size and shape - mine are medium-sized with short fingers, but any input would be apreciated.

If the JYDII proves unconfortable, my back-up option would be an Endura, which I have already held and felt to be quite confortable for in my hand. But the JYDII looks sooo nice, and there have been so many rave reviews...

Thanks for your time,

Marcelo
 
Hi Marcelo!

I'm left-handed and a Junkyard Dog II owner and user. Clipped to my left front pocket, that clip is ugly. In my left hand while I'm cutting, it's one of the more comfortable pocketclips I've ever felt. Then again, so is the pocketclip on the Gen 4 Enduras (the current Enduras from last year or so with the 4-position pocketclips), but you owe it to yourself to handle a Kershaw JYD II.

I wish you coud've asked a question about a really great knife and a so-so or poor knife so that picking and choosing would be easier. ;)
 
Thanks Thom, that is exactly what I wanted to hear :). I know that I will also end up buying the Endura before the year is over, but the excellent response to the JYDII in this forum really makes me want to give it a try. And sure, the clip is ugly, it looks like an early 70's revival. I understand that the designer of the knife is quite young, so he probably never had to live during that decade of bad design: you know, the "2001: a Space Odissey"-style, orange acrylic, chromed steel, white sofas, etc.

Maybe I am being too sarcastic here, I know the knife is inspired by aeronautic design, and the clip style is probably meant to resemble the structural parts of an airplane, with those holes meant to reduce the weight. But I grew up with Hanna-Barbera cartoons, and I am sure that I have seen that clip somewhere in "The Jetsons"...:D

I will hit the internet and find some real shop that sells the JYDII in my area, and will certainly come back home with one.

Cheers, Marcelo
 
Hi Thom,

Just posting to let you know that I took your advice to heart and bought a JYDII today. Man, you were right. The knife stick to my (left) hand in the shop and would not let go. I had a tough time getting the credit card out...

Perfectly comfortable for a lefty, be it to open or to cut. Bit tougher to close it with the left hand, but closing is less critical. There are some quirks (tip-down only, I am more used to tip-up, only option to open is flipping) but the fit, finish, and handling comfort more than make up for them.

Must confess, I am even starting to like the 70's sci-fi clip. Goes with the overall design.

And above all, it does sublimely well what it is supposed to do...it cuts.

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction,

Rgds, Marcelo
 
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