Lefty-friendly Traditional?

You should be quite happy with any pinchable blade. That's what I actually prefer. Some are designed to be pinchable from the start (think Easy Open pattern, for ex.) or show enough blade when closed that they even haven't a nail nick or pull (Boker Fellow, Viper Venator, Douk-Douk (yeah, despite the beasty pull !) among many). Makes for a nice plain blade, very easy to keep clean (if it's stainless, a sweep on the pants and it's done).
 
I've owned several over the years, mostly customs.

My current favorite is the Halfrich Baby Rounder that Jerry made for me a few years ago.



In my opinion, it's more of a novelty than practical, unless it's for that one special knife 😊
 
I carry this Needham NAAFI Knife all the time, had it with me yesterday, and posted a pic in the EDC thread. I don't think anyone has ever remarked on its leftiness ;)

 
Thanks for reviving this thread, guys. I just realized I never posted a pic of the 73LHL I got from Wade. Here she is:

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I did carry it for a good while, but eventually found it to be too much of a nailbreaker. Still one of my most cherished knives. The rosewood is stunning.

I also had esnyx make me this custom, an easy open with no nick at all. Just about as amibidextrous as a knife can be.

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I wondered about the lack of a nail-nick when I first saw your new Esnyx Phil, nice knife :thumbup:

When I was doing fixed-blades 20 years ago, one of the first I sold was to an older guy who thatched roofs, and he was left-handed. When he mentioned this on the phone, I insisted on getting him a lefty sheath made up, even though he protested that he'd always managed without. I sent him the knife in the original sheath while I was getting one made, and when I sent him the lefty sheath, he was so pleased with it, and the difference it made, even after a lifetime of making-do :)
 
Jack Black said:
I sent him the knife in the original sheath while I was getting one made, and when I sent him the lefty sheath, he was so pleased with it, and the difference it made, even after a lifetime of making-do :)
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Yea as a lefty you don't really know what your missing out on. But after years of wearing backwards sheaths or opening a folder and switching hands, when you finally do get something dedicated left-handed it's a revelation. Though all of us lefties are ambidextrous to some extent - far more so than an average right hander - it's really nice to use something made for you. And I always think highly of any manufacturers - of anything - who take the time to make lefty batches.
 
As stated above, the GEC/Northfield/Tidioute 73's (current production, at least) have one "Righty" blade and one "Lefty" blade. Doesn't take much to get comfortable with them both whether your a righty or lefty yourself:



 
Jack, odd I never noticed it...and I usually catch such things. Chalk it up to age :)
 
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My nails have always been short from biting them, so I've always looked for knives I could pinch the blade. I recently got a case knife opener and it was then I discovered ALL of my knives were backwards!
 
I'm left handed but I'm so used to doing certain things with my right hand it'd be weird to switch. I grew up using a mouse with my right hand. I hold slipjoints in my left hand and open with my right thumbnail. Suits me fine because the knife is in my left hand the whole time.
 
Jack Black said:
I wondered about the lack of a nail-nick when I first saw your new Esnyx Phil, nice knife :thumbup:

When I was doing fixed-blades 20 years ago, one of the first I sold was to an older guy who thatched roofs, and he was left-handed. When he mentioned this on the phone, I insisted on getting him a lefty sheath made up, even though he protested that he'd always managed without. I sent him the knife in the original sheath while I was getting one made, and when I sent him the lefty sheath, he was so pleased with it, and the difference it made, even after a lifetime of making-do :)
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Ok, I'll bite. What is a "lefty" sheath? I thought they were all ambidextrous. Isn't that like a left-handed shovel?
 
Fanglekai said:
I'm left handed but I'm so used to doing certain things with my right hand it'd be weird to switch. I grew up using a mouse with my right hand. I hold slipjoints in my left hand and open with my right thumbnail. Suits me fine because the knife is in my left hand the whole time.
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Yeah.

I thought that slipjoints already *were* all left handed. ;)

It's one of the reasons I don't care for moderns. Slipjoints are already pretty lefty friendly.
 
jmclfrsh said:
Ok, I'll bite. What is a "lefty" sheath? I thought they were all ambidextrous. Isn't that like a left-handed shovel?
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The same as a right-handed sheath, but reversed! So that when you wear your sheath on your left hip, and draw it with your left hand, it comes out ready to use (ie with edge down). The problem for lefties can be further complicated if the sheath has a snap. Give a try and you'll see what I mean :thumbup: But don't get in a pikal ;) :D
 
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havent read the whole thread so dont know if already mentioned but the scagel knifes do have elliptic go-through nail-holes instead of normal nail-nicks so they are for lefties and righties...
 
Bjoern said:
havent read the whole thread so dont know if already mentioned but the scagel knifes do have elliptic go-through nail-holes instead of normal nail-nicks so they are for lefties and righties...
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I just came here with that same thought, Bjoern. I'll add this image just for fun. The Scagel Fruitport at the top is pretty much pinch-able, along with being righty or lefty. I understand the shield and the tang mark are still on the traditional righty side of the knfe, but it's still a good option. My oldest son is a southpaw and I've watched him have to deal with it for 31 years. It'd be nice to see some attention for those left handed folk out there.
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How about a left hand 2014 BFT Stag Jack? :eek:

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(Image flipped in photo bucket for effect ;))
 
ron_m80 said:
I don't think anyone said they had a problem. However I doubt the world would continue to turn if knifemakers made knives right handed people had to open goofy handed and then pass to their dominant hand. Just a huntch though. What is intuitive to southpaws isn't so for ya'll single handed folks.
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Well said. You nailed it.
 
As a right-hander, I haven't found my left-handed NAAFI Knife any more awkward to deal with than any of the Jacks I have with the pen behind the main blade, such as my Case Texas Jack or Charlow or with Stockman patterns. Many of my beloved Army Clasp Knives also have the nail nick on the lefty side.
 
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