left hand frame locks

V

VVhiterice

Joined
May 7, 2008
Messages
26
HI HI

I am looking to buy a frame lock and it seem from my research only the strider and the Sebenza are offered in full left handed frame locks. I was told the side the frame bends in is reversed for lefties.

I don't really want to drop that amount of cash on and EDC. I have played with Spyderco and Benchmade frame locks and like them but they only offer frame locks on the right hand side to my knowledge.

Can anyone recommend alternatives for frame locks of reasonable quality.

Also do any lefties have experience with frame locks that are right hand bias?

Thanks
 
there is a company called South Paw knives and they make all lefties. Might be over your budget though.

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I'm a lefty and I recently bought a Sage 2 with some trepidation at having never actually handled one. In hand (the left) it actually feels surprisingly good, in fact, at least for me, I think I prefer the ergonomics of the Sage 2 when held with the left hand over the right. Though the framelock is right handed, I actuate it by placing my thumb against the pivot screw (pad against the pivot screw, with the ball of the thumb serving to stop the framelock itself from traveling too far - kind of like a human Hinderer lock bar) with my pointer-finger against the back of the blade to push it closed, and use my middle finger to push the bar out of the way. It is a much more natural movement of the finger, as opposed to moving a thumb in a lateral direction: your middle-finger should be much stronger in this direction than any thumb. Additionally, there is no need to rotate the knife to access the lockbar - in other words, there are fewer motions to go through to close the knife.

In my opinion, this actually leaves very little flesh in the way of the closing blade; the fingernail of your middle-finger will be hit by the finger choil at the base of the blade rather than the edge itself.

This of course depends on a cut-out in the opposing side of the knife (the non-lockbar side) being cut out enough to make this viable. Also, since the Sage 2 has a hole drilled out on both sides, you can carry it left-handed tip up.
 
I'm a lefty and I just won't bother with righty frame locks... or liner locks, for that matter. We don't have a lot of options when it comes to framelocks and unfortunately, companies like Kershaw, which produce some great framelocks under the ZT line, seem to have little interest in catering to the southpaw market.

The framelock I'm most looking forward to is the ESEE/RAT Izula folder... it's been confirmed that there will be a lefty variant available. There has not been a set release date nor a price but if the other ESEE/RAT knives are any indication, it will be very reasonable and well worth it.
 
Strider is no longer making lefties as far as I know. A CRK lefty is going to run you right around $400 as you probably know. There are plenty of MORE expensive options for a lefty framelock but none that I know of that are less expensive than $400. I know it's a liner lock, but do yourself a favor and pick up LH Military. I doubt you would be disappointed.
 
You might also check with STR. He makes folders and does a lot of frame locks. He may be able to do a LH one for you.
 
I am a rightie, but I can work my axis locks with either hand upside down, under water, in the dark.
 
I second what dalefuller said.

Also to consider is to look around your area for local knife makers that might be able to help you. There is a lack of dedicated lefty folders on the market. The only ambi locks there are are the Axis, Ball Lock and Back lock. Good luck with your search!
 
Thanks Socom Elite will send an email and check out South Paw knives options. I agree the price are probably out of my range and may make the CRK option a lot cheaper.

VR4 think thats the one I will get but so far away, on site says late 2010.Thanks for the tip on that one though looks like a nice blade and I do like the D2 for edc. May just wait for that one.

The STR seem pretty dam cool and a full blown custom. Any thoughts on the quality compared to CRK. Seems like they would be comparable priced thought.

I now use a BM940 and a Delica but I find they both have short comings. The BM has in my view has sub par closed blade retention(huge in Canada as if can open with centrifugal force its illegal) and have have had both omega springs fail on me previously (dam tip up carry). I got the Delica a few days ago and was super happy till a new coworker showed me a scar of an Endura closing on him. I have heard the lock back isn't the strongest design and seen a nasty scar to back up that perspective.

Thanks for the help all!!!
 
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