Left hand question - survey & contest

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Sal Glesser

Sal Glesser

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I have a question for all of the spydernuts ("Clipiteers"?) that are left handed.

If Spyderco were to make a left hand version of something, which model would would be preferred next?

We are also going to use this survey to get an idea of how many left handers (right brained?) frequent this forum.

We will use the comments to draw for another contest.

One comment per person, one prize.

The prize is a left handed calypso jr. with your choice of Stainless or micarta handle and plain or toothed. Please state your preference with your answer.

thanx for the help.

sal
 
Sal,

This is a tough question, but I would have to chose the Bob Terzuola Starmate in 440V just because of the its low profile and and good ergonomics. A LEFTY Starmate would be nice!

* I would really LOVE a 440V micarta Calypso JR LEFTY , but I don't think you folks would go for that.
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The VG-10 LTWT fills this bill, so...... LOL.

Hmmm....LEFTY micarta Calypso JR in PLAIN edge please if you happen to pick me.
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Thanks for caring about us SOUTHPAWS!
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Ray 'md2020'

ATKI member #A001042
 
Sal,

What a wonderful idea!

I know that Left hand models tend not to sell well, don't get ordered by dealers, and therefore don't get sold even to people who would buy them.

If I had to pick Just one model, it would be the new full size Wegner that is going to be coming out with the VG-10 blade.

What I would really like to see you do is to make most or all of your knives ambidextrous, with reversible pocket clips. I know that this has been discussed in the past, and that there are some problems associated with it, particularly with knives that use a single liner. I will note that my full size Calypso without liners, and my G-10 Navigator without liners seem to hold there clips without problem. I am sure that you have considered this, but how hard would it be to mill out a small area from the inside of a handle scale and install a small plate to support the clip on the off side for knives with single liners?

Being left handed you are forced to some extent or other to learn to cope in a right hand world. The full size Wegner is by far my favorite full size knife. I carry it my left hip pocket, use it in my left hand, and to tell you the truth, I do not feel particularly handicapped or discriminated against. That being said, if I had the option of moving the clip I would. I also prefer to carry some knives in my right pocket. Assuming that others feel the same way, there should be numerous right-handers who would like the option of carrying a knife on the weak side.

Preference for Calypso Jr. would be Micarta, Plain edge.
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Mike
 
Mike - thanx for the input. Ambi knives are always in the question box because both my wife (Gail) and one of the R & D guys are left handed. No way to avoid the problem.

However, ambi clips pretty much need to be straight. As we go more and more to dedicated clips (better performance, ease of carry, fits the knife design better, etc.), it becomes more and more difficult to make them ambi. To sacrifice performance in the interest of saving money on tooling goes against my drive for "the best design for the model". Some models lend themselves well to straight clips, but many don't. (eg: Military, Lum Chinese Folder, Gunting, Chinook)

sal
 
Since I do most of my cutting right-handed, I don't know if I qualify for a lefty micarat plain-edge, but I like to have a knife in my left hip pocket too.
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There are at least two problems in marketing mirror-image versions. One is the crass economics of carrying the extra SKU's in inventory for a minority of the market. The other is the fact that many a left-handed knife user has gotten so used to turing a right-handed knife around that they find the mirror image version "odd." Benchmade has given up on trying to make money selling mirror image versions.

I've noticed an absence of little lefty or ambi Spydercos. The Dragonfly is a bit small for the coin-screw ambi clip that larger lightweights are sporting these days, but it might work with a version of the reversable clip that Moki puts on the Al Mar Ultralights. With those, one removes the clip to free up the lanyard hole.

Where the clip is curved, it should be possible to make left-hand clips available separately, or just have the price tag calculated to include an extra clip in the box to save on transaction and mailing costs. Would one style of curved clip work for several models?

If there is any line that would justify doing mirror images, it might be the "MBC" models such as the Gunting and the Temperence that have a hole or depression in the clip opposite a hole or depression in other side of the handle, for quick and sure grip reversals. Martial arts are not my department, but I've seen some wisdom on the forums to the effect that people should carry a defensive knife on their "weak side" because the "strong side" is where they keep the other knife, or the gun.


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- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
AKTI Member # SA00001
 
James - problem is more tooling costs than inventory. Costs just as much to tool for a left clip as a right clip with 10% of the return.

sal
 
Hi Sal -

I'm relatively new to the forum here - tho I ran a cutlery shop for 10 years way back when (and sold lots of Spydies too!). I'm left handed, and guess I have to echo James Mattis' comment about us lefties being so used to right hand knives and how to use them that we find left hand knives....well, way different!

If I had to make a choice, I'd say your new lefty knife should be a small 'always on you' kinda blade....make it a Wenger Jr.

The larger knives are easier to use left handed - maybe because their thumbhole is more easily accessed (not as hidden by the clip)? I am carrying my new cricket lightweight today for the 2nd day and notice that the clip gets in the way of left hand opening.....so make a small one the lefty!

As for my choice if the prize winner....I guess it would have to be the micarta handle, plain edged!

Thanks for letting us 'Hand Sinister' types have a say!

Bob Mikus

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"The search is half the fun!"
 
Starmate, which is ironic given that it is lefty operable.
For models with poor lefty access, C50.
I know that is 2 but I'm not going for the prize (I've more than enough already from the raffle
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)

[This message has been edited by Ferret (edited 07-01-2000).]
 
I would say a left hand wegner would get my vote. The wegner jr is my most often carried knife even though its made for righties. I guess being a lefty growing up in a right handed world, I've learned to adjust.
as for the calypso, I've always been partial to micarta and plain edge blades

 
My vote for a lefty would be... The Gunting!

Preference for Calypso Jr: Plain edge Micarta.


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Attila
 
I am also a left handed person who has become accostomed to opening knives with my right hand. I second the full sized Wegner for a left handed version.
 
Thanks for thinking of us lefty's. I'd like to see a lefty Starmate, plainedge or something large, but dressy, flat-ground, and in bg-42, or vg-10.
I'd love a lefty Calypso, plainedge with Micarta handle
thanks again

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The thorn stands to defend the Rose, yet it is peaceful and does not seek conflict

[This message has been edited by fudo (edited 07-02-2000).]
 
Without any hesitation, I vote for a LH Starmate. The Starmate is now the main folder I use when the Sifu is too much knife to carry. I like the lightweight and the 440V and the overall design of the piece.
Starmate, most definately!

Left hand, plain edge, Micarta Calypso Jr. if you please.
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The individualist without strategy who takes opponents lightly will inevitably become the captive of others.
Sun Tzu
 
C-17 Catcherman! Put a reversible metal clip on this baby too!
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stilltryintokeepitsharp!
 
I'm not really a southpaw but when it comes to knives I'm basically ambitdextious (sp??). Anyway, I think every one needs a good left hander (even if you're a righty) for tactical raesons (what if an attacker has you right arm now your f^@#&(% ) but if your backup is on the left side then now your covering more bases you know? I'd say it should be a lh Wenger. Oh yeah and a you can send my Calypso in Micarta with serrations por favor.
 
Us left handers are never right.My vote would be for a left handed Civilian.Also, I heard the Gunting will be made in a left handed version.That would be cool!
 
Ok, I understand where you are coming from there, Sal.

How about this - instead of worrying about just how many knives to equip with a lefty pocket clip, how about taking the modular approach?

Make all of the knives set up so that they can be either lefty or righty? For the straight clip models, this isn't too bad, no excess stock / dead SKU's. For the non straight clip models, you have 2 options -

1. Up the price and toss the other clip in there with the knife (more expensive in the long run).

2. Make all of the knives right handed (clip wise), and have people order lefty clips direct from you guys for a nominal cost.

Unless you go with a truly ambidextrous lock system for all knives, until you get rid of liner locks it's going to be tough anyways for us lefties. Making the clips ambi seems like it would solve the majority of the problems - because let's face it, it's not often that you'll need to close a knife quickly; we just need to open it quickly. Let's look at the Bob Lum C-46 - how much more would it cost to drill and tap the other side of the handle as well?

Spark

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Kevin Jon Schlossberg
SysOp and Administrator for BladeForums.com

Insert witty quip here
 
Now that's a tough one, Sal. I was thinking of the Civilian, but I guess my vote will go to the G-10 Police. Actually, either would be pretty cool, IMHO.

If I win, please make it plain edged Micarta.

Regards,

Leo Daher

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"Though the meek shall inherit the Earth, they won't keep it past Saturday night..."

[This message has been edited by Leo Daher (edited 07-02-2000).]
 
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