- Joined
- Dec 7, 2016
- Messages
- 11,261
Actually I think right handed bolt action rifles operate very well left handed. Especially when that's what you end up always practicing with.
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Other Bad Knives for Lefties?
- Thread starter WiredDutchman
- Start date
Actually I think right handed bolt action rifles operate very well left handed. Especially when that's what you end up always practicing with.
As a lefty myself, a thread such as this one is very useful to me. It's always a struggle to ascertain how suitable a knife is for left-handed use and carrying in my left pocket, especially when ordering online. (There aren't many good brick and mortar stores around my place for knives).
I would also like to see a thread that is the reverse of this one: Good knives for lefties. A quick search turned up nothing, should I make a new thread?
I would also like to see a thread that is the reverse of this one: Good knives for lefties. A quick search turned up nothing, should I make a new thread?
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2017
- Messages
- 60
I get hitting the tab with my thumb, but then j feel like I don't have a safe grip on the rest of the knife. It's doable, but it's frustrating enough where I don't think I'll carry it much.
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2016
- Messages
- 11,261
The grip on the knife for a lefty hitting the compression lock is definitely not as good as it could be. White most these locks are ambidextrous the question sometimes is HOW ambidextrous? There are locks that are truly ambidextrous like the Axis, Ball Bearing lock and Backlocks. Then there are locks that are doable with either hand. I find the button lock on my Hogues to be easy to manipulate with my right hand thumb or my left hand index finger. Even though it is not symmetrically ambidextrous I find it just as easy with either hand.
Liner/Framelocks and the Compression lock are more of a pain to do with your left hand (assuming right handed knives). I agree though that the compression lock is one of the more awkward ones as it requires some hand contortionist skill. Frame and Linerlocks I just open with my left thumb.
Many knives that are unfriendly to lefties it is because the blade does not deploy easily with a left hand thumb. Many of them even have dual thumbstuds or a Spyderhole but didn't give good consideration to the left hand. Some knives like the Sebenzas only come with one thumb stud. I find that very dissapointing considering it is 2017. The advantage is the Spyderhole can usually be comfortably flicked with an index or middle finger, Trying to open my righty Sebenzas is abit awkward.
Liner/Framelocks and the Compression lock are more of a pain to do with your left hand (assuming right handed knives). I agree though that the compression lock is one of the more awkward ones as it requires some hand contortionist skill. Frame and Linerlocks I just open with my left thumb.
Many knives that are unfriendly to lefties it is because the blade does not deploy easily with a left hand thumb. Many of them even have dual thumbstuds or a Spyderhole but didn't give good consideration to the left hand. Some knives like the Sebenzas only come with one thumb stud. I find that very dissapointing considering it is 2017. The advantage is the Spyderhole can usually be comfortably flicked with an index or middle finger, Trying to open my righty Sebenzas is abit awkward.
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2010
- Messages
- 2,896
- Joined
- May 9, 2017
- Messages
- 201
I'm also a southpaw that right carries. Phone in left pocket. I'm weird though - there's not a lot I do with my left hand, perhaps I'm more left-eyed. I do a lot of things with my right hand, but write and use knife with left. I've not had an issue with the Para2 - I perhaps have more problems actually opening knives. Quite often I'll put too much pressure on the lockbar and it won't open. So the clip often helps and works as a thumb ramp. I think a lot of us southpaws have been programmed to act right handed in a right handed world. Still, nothing I love more than handing somebody my ergonomic left-handed scissors. 
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2016
- Messages
- 11,261
Pretty much any Axis or Ball Bearing lock knife is good for lefties. These knives are often completely ambidextrous. Some of them might have scales that don't give equal access tonthe thumbstuds or Spyderhole though.
Honestly with practice I have come to find liner and framlocks very easy to manipulate left handed. While its true using your right thumb will always be easier on a righty liner or framelock it is not dificult in any way tonuse your left.
Thus the only thing making most knives bad for lefties is that thumbstud/hole access.
Honestly with practice I have come to find liner and framlocks very easy to manipulate left handed. While its true using your right thumb will always be easier on a righty liner or framelock it is not dificult in any way tonuse your left.
Thus the only thing making most knives bad for lefties is that thumbstud/hole access.
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2017
- Messages
- 60
This is one of the biggest reasons I have not and probably will not get a sebenza. If you don't offer a knife with dual thumbstuds, frankly I'm not interested.
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2017
- Messages
- 60
Left handed scissors are a dream come true. I'm so glad they existI'm also a southpaw that right carries. Phone in left pocket. I'm weird though - there's not a lot I do with my left hand, perhaps I'm more left-eyed. I do a lot of things with my right hand, but write and use knife with left. I've not had an issue with the Para2 - I perhaps have more problems actually opening knives. Quite often I'll put too much pressure on the lockbar and it won't open. So the clip often helps and works as a thumb ramp. I think a lot of us southpaws have been programmed to act right handed in a right handed world. Still, nothing I love more than handing somebody my ergonomic left-handed scissors.
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2017
- Messages
- 60
I have an OKC Carter Prime and that is not lefty friendly because it will not flip if there is any pressure on the lock bar.
I also sent it out to a "maker" for some anodizing and he basically ruined it. (Apparently he has never seen a knife with bearings in it?) But that's another conversation.
I also sent it out to a "maker" for some anodizing and he basically ruined it. (Apparently he has never seen a knife with bearings in it?) But that's another conversation.
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2017
- Messages
- 60
I agree 100%
The issue is being left handed apparently makes everything more expensive.
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2017
- Messages
- 60
That's about what I do. I just worry about catching a finger tip with the falling blade.I do it like this maybe it looks weird but I it feel secure and natural.
I am right handed BTW.
I'm not at smooth as you are, I'll admit I need more practice.
Basically it's just frustrating enough that I don't want to deal with it. Yeah it's perfectly usable, but eh there are better lefty options.
I'm honestly surprised people are selling this as a "lefty friendly" knife. It just isn't.
- Joined
- May 19, 2001
- Messages
- 5,251
The Sebenza is available with dual thumb studs, not as standard, but a lot of dealers carry them. I've owned several lefties with them.
The CRK Inkosi is standard with dual thumb studs. I find it handy at times.
Last edited:
As a lefty I have no problems with my right handed PM2. I thought I'd be grabbing a lefty when I heard about them but Spyderco released the cruwear first and I can't see the lefty in s30 bumping the cruwear out of my pocket so for now I'm not going to get one...for now
Not sure if you started a thread yet, but these two are good:
I went ahead and created the new thread: 'Good knives for lefties'
Btw, which models are that and why do you recommend them for lefties? I'm not terribly familiar with spyderco's offerings.
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2010
- Messages
- 2,896
Haha, I scored a Cruwear but then sold it shortly after the left-hand Para2 was announced. It's a sweet scale and steel combo, but I knew I wouldn't carry it once the lefty dropped.
The same thing happened to me when the Cruwear Millie was released. It sounded super cool, but every time I wanted to carry a Military I grabbed my lefty one, so I let it go. Helps that I have the Gray Cruwear Manix sprint, so I get the steel fix there.
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2010
- Messages
- 2,896
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2007
- Messages
- 3,285
Some liner lock knives where the blade is fully covered by the handle in closed position have big cutouts in the left side of the handle in order to reach the round hole for right hand opening, but no cutout at all in the locking liner side, making them pretty hard to open with your left thumb. There are several examples but the Spyderco Nilakka was a pretty clear one:
Ha, and for me, my CW Manix is what made it a requirement for me to get and use my CW PM2! And I like the steel so much, I know I likely won't carry the lefty much! If they release the fully serrated in the lefty version that'll give me a reason to get one, not because I love serrations but because it'll be different enough to justify it. At least that's what I'll tell myself! Now if they release a CW lefty, I'm all over that!
Kind of like the techno, but I actually like the techno better lefty as you can left handed spydie flick it but not right! The clip is a serious hotspot so I don't carry much but great little knife otherwise.Some liner lock knives where the blade is fully covered by the handle in closed position have big cutouts in the left side of the handle in order to reach the round hole for right hand opening, but no cutout at all in the locking liner side, making them pretty hard to open with your left thumb. There are several examples but the Spyderco Nilakka was a pretty clear one: