Question for you lefties out there.

M

mikemock

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Feb 17, 2008
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I am considering getting a as a gift for my brother.

I was going to get him a smaller Seki-cut, but I couldn't find one with a pocket clip, so I decided on a Spyderco Kopa. I was about to order it until I realized that he is left handed.

The question I have is, how workable (or unworkable) is a right-handed tip-down knife for left handed people?

If is is clumsy for left handers I will probably go back to getting a pocket clipless Seki-cut.

Thanks.

M.
 
I am about as left handed dominate as can be BUT I have found it very useful to carry a pocket knife on my right side and open it with my right hand. When involved in a complex task my left hand is usually busy doing the task so the right is used to get the needed tool whether it be a wrench, screwdriver, or KNIFE....

After years of doing this I can cut well with my right hand and certainly open and close the tool with just the right hand. In fact doing this has actually made my right hand more useful in many tasks.

I usually carry a KERSHAW assisted open knife and I open and close them with either hand now without any thought given. The assisted open knives tend to not care which hand is opening them.....
 
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I am left handed and have always clipped on my right. I hate rubbing my knuckles against the knife when I am reaching for my keys. I have done it for so long that opening a knife with my left hand seems odd. If I can transition anyone can.
 
Assuming that it has an opening hole or dual studs, a right
handed, tip down clip is just about perfect for this left-hander. Worn in the left side pocket, it is readily accessible to and easily opened with either hand.

In fact, being predominantly left-handed but somewhat ambidexterious, I much prefer this arrangement to a true left-handed set-up.
 
I guess I am the exception...if it's a right hand liner or frame lock, I'll pass. I prefer true left handers in those configurations.

Al Mar Ultralights are nice and light and can be carried on either side.

I have a couple of production knives that were made for lefties: A left hand Spyderco Executive and a left hand Spyderco C-15.
 
I'm a lefty and I've been carrying Spyderco Calypso, Calypso Jr., Wayne Goddard, and Natives for years. I carry in my left front pocket and never have problems opening, closing or using them left-handed.
 
I'm a lefty as well but have almost always carried folders in my right front pocket. Been doing it so long that, when I tried carrying lefty, it actually felt wrong. As far as how workable it is... I think most lefties are forced to develop varying degrees of ambidexterity. I know that, with my first Spyderco (gone years now, thanks to a "friend" who thought it would make a good screwdriver), it took me a lot of getting used to in order to open it smoothly. Now, I open a knife right-handed entirely naturally.


I do usually wear fixed blades on my left side though.
 
I'm a lefty, and I only front left pocket carry, and always tip-up.

Of the knives you've considered, Spyderco makes a few for this option, all of which are good. Most of the time I carry an Al Mar SERE 2000, but i bought before the Mini-SERE was available - I'd like to try one, as my only gripe about the SERE is it's overall thickness.

Good luck finding something!
 
A much bigger problem for a leftie would be a liner lock. If you get a Seki-Cut, don't get a liner lock. Spyderco lockbacks with reversible clips and Benchmade axis lock knives are excellent knives and very lefty-friendly.
 
Most of us Lefty's can work around just about anything, if we have to. But when you get a knife that is for a Lefty, it just works. Built for you! That said a lock-back would work, not the best pick personally. I find that one of the best knives made for a Lefty is a frame/liner lock but because they are not easy to get, unless custom (even then) or high end production, it is just not practical for a gift. Basically, BM Axis is just about as good as it gets.
 
A Spyderco Kopa should be fine. Righty tip-down in the left front pocket is fairly similar to lefty tip-up in the same pocket.
 
As a lefty, I can appreciate your thinking of the difficulties we face in a right handed world. Don't worry too much about it though, a 'right biased' knife isn't much of a liability. Besides, it's for your brother. . . geez, you must be from one of them 'functional families' i've heard rumor of. ;)
 
I too am a lefty and have no trouble with "right handed" knives. I have a few folders with reversable pocket clips for left pocket carry and still prefer them in my right front pocket. I think it's all in what you get used to. As someone above said "we can work around just about anything". My dad was teaching me how to play baseball when I was little and without thinking of me being left handed he taught me how to bat right handed, now I can switch hit which comes in handy now and then.

Nice of you to consider your brother being a lefty though, but I almost bet he'd be able to adapt to a "right handed" knife pretty easily.
 
I'm a lefty. I've only EDC tip-down. (Cheap Kershaw Vapor right now) and I've only EDCd linerlocks that made for RH.


I carry it on my left front. Keep the right front open for cell phone. I usually keep a pen tucked in front of the knife.

Never had any problems.
 
Everyone, Thanks for your input.

I think what I have learned here is that the right handed clip is okay.

And that is is also good that the Kopa is a lockback instead of a liner lock.

M.
 
I should point out that several Spyderco models (although not the Kopa) have reversible clips. My Endura 4 is this way. (I'm a righty though.)
 
Since this is a gift, I was considering a Gentleman's knife, not a 'working' or utility knife.

Thanks for the input.
 
Several lefties have posted to the thread that they can deal with a right handed knife just fine. I have no doubt that your brother can do the same. However, when giving a gift, the thought behind the gift is at least as important as the gift itsself. Giving a right-handed device to a left handed person may come off as slightly thoughtless. There are many good choices that are not right-hand biased. Picking one of those will show that you were thinking about this gift from his perspective. I think he will appreciate that.

The more the gift is tailored to your brother's preferences, the more it will mean to him. For that matter, it might be worth considering if he is even the kind of person who will value a knife at all.
 
The 707 has also been made in some special editions with a variety of handle colors and inlays of wood or carbon fiber and premium blade steels. They make a great gents knife that is also a great user. Fully ambidextrous in every way (opening, unlocking and clipping). But you do need to find the right tool to switch the clip (I believe a Torx size 6), or request the change when you buy.
 
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