Liner locks and lefties(Buck Vantage)

S

SGT

Joined
Dec 21, 2004
Messages
117
I have been looking at the Buck Vantage but have never used a liner lock.What do you think of the Buck and how do you lefties like the liner lock?Thanks
 
The Buck Vantage is generally well thought of. Being a rightie I don't know how easy the lock is to operate for lefties. I'm sure someone will chime in.
 
well, i've got the opposite vantage point of cgmblade. I'm a leftie & i've never used the vantage. :-D Seriously though, I don't have a problem with either liner or frame locks. I currently have a CRKT Mirage and a Kershaw Vapor (liner lock & frame lock respectively) sitting in front of me on the desk & I carry both regularly. You just have to be a little more intentional about how you close them using your left hand, either paying attention to getting your fingers out of the way properly or disengaging the lock and then closing it against your pantleg or something. The thing I'm more concerned with as a lefty is how accessible the thumb stud is (which is the reason the Mirage gets carried more often than the Blur), and how the pocket clip interferes with opening the knife. anyway, just my 2 cents.
 
I'm a leftie and I've never had any problems closing my Vantage, or any other liner lock for that matter. Once you get used to a liner lock you'll find it a simple matter to close it left handed. Non reversing thumb studs are a different problem.
 
I am left handed with very little ambidexterity. I still have a few RH liner locks including a Buck Rush. I am not a fan of the RH liner lock. Left handed people aleady suffer a higher rate of injury using right-handed equipment, so if I am going to pay for a nice knife, I cannot accept that it is designed for use with a different hand than I use 95% of the time.

I love my LH Military and I liked my liner lock LH Kershaw Random Task. To many lefties a RH knife is not a big deal. But I have found that I only retain folders that are ambi (or dedicated lefty) clip/open/lock.

My Buck knives have been very good performers. The Vantage looks like a nice knife and represents a great value especially in S30V, though I like Buck's 420HC too. The clip is reversible for LH carry. I have not handled or owned one, so I can't comment beyond that.
 
I'm an ambi who is culturally right handed. Just tried three of my linerlocks lefthanded, and it was as easy left as right. Be simple for a natural leftie.
 
I like right-handed liner/frame locks only it there's a flipper opening mechanism. Otherwise the lock interferes with the thumbstud. If it's a flipper, I don't mind. I EDC a few liner/frame lock flippers.

I prefer left-handed or ambidextrous locks.
 
Thanks for all your replys.My best bet is to go try a liner lock and see how they feel before I get my Buck Vantage. Thanks again.
 
I don't have any problem using the liner lock on my vantage. However, the opening hole is partially blocked by the liner. It's not a big deal because I just use the flipper to open it. If you prefer to use the hole that's something to consider. At least they give you a lefty clip option. Most liner locks don't even have that.
 
Context for my answer: I am what I call "confusedidextrous" - I do some things left-handed (like most knife use) and some things right-handed. 5/8s of my great-grandparents were lefty. I have big hands and used to be a musician, so I have a good bit of finger strength and dexterity. Anyway...my answer to you based on my experience.

For me, it all depends. First, I find framelocks easier than linerlocks in most cases, with either hand. The locking leaf is usually bigger and thicker. Second, I hate to say this, but with liner locks, it all depends on the specific design. Linerlocks with litte or no cutout like the Spyderco Khukuri, are tough with either hand. I find the Spyderco Military easy with my RH but hard with my LH due to the shape of the grip. OTOH I find Emerson liner locks much easier with the LH and difficult with the RH, and haven't really been able to figure out why.

So my recommendation is, if at all possible, try the specific knife first. I avoided liner locks for years and years but have been recently trying them out and found quite a few that work for me BETTER as right hand models than in left hand models.
 
As a lefty I prefer framelocks compared to liner locks as it is a lot easier to disengage. The Spyderco Military is available in a left hand version. That's what I'd get if I wanted a linerlock. You can always save up and get a custom framelock/ linerlock...

customfolder2jtclark11.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top