Left handed knives

[joeradza]

As most of you know the favorite cover on my knives is stag. I also have an affinity for a well made lockback. The reason is simple, I'm left handed and too many of today's well made slip joints are a pain to open for a lefty.

The best products are those that solve a problem. It's in that vein, that I've been working on a way to convert or manufacture a well made slipjoint that would open on the opposite end of today's normal. I've found custom makers, but that's an expensive option and that doesn't work for everyone. It's taken a very long time. At the time myself and the maker I found thought we had a solution we ran into unforeseen problems, mostly caused by my indecision on a particular knife model to work on. After all, the design parameters had to overcome many vexing problems. It was at this time I found the perfect knife to use as a prototype model. The stainless steel Great Eastern Cutlery model number 15.

The conversion modification was designed and manufactured by a man you may all know. Believe it or not the famous Emmett Kelly is a man of many talents. He is the pre-eminent clown of the Ringling Brothers Circus. Living on the road for decades gave him the opportunity to perfect his craft. Therefore, it is with great pleasure I present the GEC 15 Southpaw.

 

[5K Qs]

Those look fantabulous, Alan! :thumbup::thumbup:
Did you hire Mr. Kelly to do these mods just for you, or will these "southpaw surprises" be available for purchase even to peons like me?
I've always liked baseball, and was always encouraged to catch the ball with both hands. I've always felt safer driving with both hands on the steering wheel. I've always admired 2-fisted drinkers. I'd recently (last night, in fact) decided I'd like to always use a knife in each hand, so you can imagine my delight to discover your post this morning. I'm not very adept with my left hand, so these lefty models seem like a godsend to me!
Thanks again!!

- GT

 

[joeradza]

Were hoping to ramp up production now that Ringling Bros. is closing. Mr. Kelly is getting up in years, but like all great artisans he's passed his craft on to the army of clowns who will need a new profession.

 

[btb01]

Very cool, Alan! Looks like he did a great job! :thumbup:

Occasionally GEC actually makes left-handed models at the factory. You should keep an eye out for 'em. In fact, I was accidentally sent a left-handed knife when I ordered my Ebony Beer Scout a couple years ago! Not much use to me as a righty, so if you're interested it, let me know.

 

[Bartleby]

Very cool, Alan! Looks like he did a great job! :thumbup:

Occasionally GEC actually makes left-handed models at the factory. You should keep an eye out for 'em. In fact, I was accidentally sent a left-handed knife when I ordered my Ebony Beer Scout a couple years ago! Not much use to me as a righty, so if you're interested it, let me know.

Arthur Wrights in Sheffield made a Lambsfoot which was left handed, I believe they may still do so.

 

[Ramrodmb]

Haha.

 

[Planterz]

Ironically, I just bought a "left handed" knife. One of those Opinel-like MAM knives from Portugal. They're linerlocks, but the lock goes the opposite direction than what we're used to.

 

[TheFactor]

Very cool, Alan! Looks like he did a great job! :thumbup:

Occasionally GEC actually makes left-handed models at the factory. You should keep an eye out for 'em. In fact, I was accidentally sent a left-handed knife when I ordered my Ebony Beer Scout a couple years ago! Not much use to me as a righty, so if you're interested it, let me know.

I'm a lefty and very interested if Alan isn't .
Although I've kind of adapted to a right handed world lol .


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[TheFactor]

As most of you know the favorite cover on my knives is stag. I also have an affinity for a well made lockback. The reason is simple, I'm left handed and too many of today's well made slip joints are a pain to open for a lefty.

The best products are those that solve a problem. It's in that vein, that I've been working on a way to convert or manufacture a well made slipjoint that would open on the opposite end of today's normal. I've found custom makers, but that's an expensive option and that doesn't work for everyone. It's taken a very long time. At the time myself and the maker I found thought we had a solution we ran into unforeseen problems, mostly caused by my indecision on a particular knife model to work on. After all, the design parameters had to overcome many vexing problems. It was at this time I found the perfect knife to use as a prototype model. The stainless steel Great Eastern Cutlery model number 15.

The conversion modification was designed and manufactured by a man you may all know. Believe it or not the famous Emmett Kelly is a man of many talents. He is the pre-eminent clown of the Ringling Brothers Circus. Living on the road for decades gave him the opportunity to perfect his craft. Therefore, it is with great pleasure I present the GEC 15 Southpaw.

Those looks amazing and well done Sir !


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[TedderX]

Case has made left handed pocketknives for years.

 

[5K Qs]

Very cool, Alan! Looks like he did a great job! :thumbup:

Occasionally GEC actually makes left-handed models at the factory. You should keep an eye out for 'em. In fact, I was accidentally sent a left-handed knife when I ordered my Ebony Beer Scout a couple years ago! Not much use to me as a righty, so if you're interested it, let me know.
...

Barrett, I always admire what you can do with your photos, but I'm totally clueless as to HOW you do it. The one you did for this thread is an easy concept, but I don't know the transformation technique. (Except I think ALL the photos I take with the app (Photo Booth?) on my MacBook come up mirror images. Here are the first two "knife photos" I ever attempted by holding "the subject" in front of the camera on my MacBook. The 1940s catcher's mitt is for a right-handed thrower (is worn on the left hand), and I think you can see enough of the text on the badly-focused image of the Forest-Master shield to detect the reversal.)

Alan, FWIW, that Smoking Moundo Kangaroo Warts website always lists "Handedness" among their many "Specs" listed for each knife.

- GT

 

[AusLoX]

I'm not sure I understand the need. I hold the knife with my right hand and pull the blade down with the left. Or hold with the left hand and and pull up with the right. I'm right handed but i had to open with the left for a few months when I broke my right thumb.
This is how I held it.

 

[Will Power]

They say that left handed are more intelligent....

I'm actually ambidextrous, but apparently that makes me of below average intelligence... but not lacking in humour I hope

As for opening knives, I'm more right handed than left (except for playing instruments, drinking and opening things and I don't mind using guns left) but I open the blade with the left hand, can do the same with one handed that we can't mention here.. so there is no left or right, right?

 

[joeradza]

Correct?