This website warped my mind, lol.

Boats

Boats

Joined
Aug 7, 2003
Messages
3,330
As a left-handed knife enthusiast, a lot of the most interesting folding knives on the market are impractical for me, like Ti frame locks with clips only on the lock bar side.

So, I find myself wanting a "mega-folder." Yes the CR lefties are too small. I have NBA sized hands, and at 6' 8" all of my casual pant pockets are cavernous since I don't wear skinny jeans. I used to EDC a BM 610 but the pocket clip was weak. I flip my EDC now between a Spydie Military lefty and a Buck 830, which is a little small for my tastes. As the Spydie is disco'd I write mid-tech and custom makers who make mega folders with over 4" blades and get nowhere because of southpaw issues. Some won't even drill/tap the "presentation" side. (WTH?) I guess my requests are a hassle.

The whole time, the solution is just sitting out there—the Cold Steel Recon 1 XL in the CTS steel—but, but, but. . . .

They're litigious.
Their vids are corny.
Historically, they use AUS-8 or worse on most folders.
It's not even a frame lock, but all these knives lift weights under Andrew Demko's stern eye.
They're offshore produced.
This site is in a perpetual war about CS and Lynn Thompson, who comes off like a more portly version of this:

[video=youtube_share;gyXhysmMNhE]http://youtu.be/gyXhysmMNhE[/video]

But so what? His company is making the size of EDC knife I am jonesing for, but at an affordable price. I have to view the coming purchase like I would if I had never visited here.:p
 
Go for it! Lot's of things can be said about Cold Steel though quality is rarely the issue.

While they may not be all that lefty friendly, you could consider a Super or Uber sized Emerson. I believe that if bought directly from Emerson they will tap it for left hand carry for a small fee.

Also, the video was quite humorous.
 
What about the Benchmade 810? Available in d2, m390, m4 and possibly some others, and on the larger side.
 
Boats said:
Looking for over 4", not under.
Click to expand...

I can understand preferences coming into play when talking about something over 1/4", but not giving something a second look due to .02" (two Hundreths of an inch) even though it is left hand carry and the lock is truly ambidextrous is a bit odd...

I know when I look for a knife that for a lefty, a left hand capability from the factory for the clip and an ambidextrous lock takes precedent over a Very nominal amount of blade length.
 
Don't even hesitate. Cold Steel owns the mega folder market. There are simply none better. I have many of them and they are all excellent. In my side pocket of my carpenter jeans as we speak is a Talwar XL. Lastly, when you rock a folder with a 5.5 inch blade it needs the strongest lock available and Cold Steel has it.
 
NJBillK said:
I can understand preferences coming into play when talking about something over 1/4", but not giving something a second look due to .02" (two Hundreths of an inch) even though it is left hand carry and the lock is truly ambidextrous is a bit odd...

I know when I look for a knife that for a lefty, a left hand capability from the factory for the clip and an ambidextrous lock takes precedent over a Very nominal amount of blade length.
Click to expand...

I'm looking at a 5.5" bladed Cold Steel. That makes sub 4" the wrong direction by a large margin. I want a folder with a longer handle for my big mitt, and that's provided by having a longer blade to house.
 
Yeah their video's come off as a little cheesy but their products generally work. I EDC'd a Spartan without any issues for 6 months. I still bring it out on occasion. One of my co-workers uses a recon tanto in the warehouse and its been beaten to all hell and is still solid. Go with what feels comfortable in your hand. :thumbup:

I think powernoodle posted a picture of the Talwar XL in the EDC thread the other day and had nothing but good things to say about it. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1303068-EDC-VI-Which-knife-or-knives-are-you-carrying-today/page155
 
You're in luck! They've just upgraded the steel in the Voyager and Espada series to name a few from midlevel, to supersteel. Welcome to the dark side, we've got big knives waiting for you!
 
Spyderco Farid K2? It's not lefthanded lockbar, but as a fellow lefty I actually prefer right hand lockbars. The way I see it, the way you grip it and in use say carving wood down and away from yourself, your hand actually pulls the lockbar closed tighter thereby making it safer to use. The K2 is a very large knife so you're good there. The tip down right hand carry is also better lefty as far as safety goes, since the blade is pressed against the back of your pocket and can't open to poke your leg as I've heard a few righties have had happen.
 
Cold steel owns the market for large folders at a good price. With their recent just to CTS-xhp steel you can't go wrong. XL recon 1 tanto is my suggestion.
 
I broke out my Tanto Recon 1 today. To me, it's a beast. And the Triad lock is hard to beat.
 
Cold Steel is hard to beat as far as Mega folders are concerned.

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Strongest lock, sharp(est) out of the box, many shapes and styles to choose fro, lightweight and discreet (don't believe it, try out a Voyager in your pocket or carrying a Hold Out I while driving, sitting, etc.).

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I practice with them, carry them, use them, beat them, and can't recommend them enough.

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Nobody would be on the receiving end of these. I assure you that.

My favorites, in that order: Hold Out I, Rajah II, Vaquero, Voyager, Talwar, Recon, Ti Lite.

DSC08171_zpsl6evgu3j.jpg


DSC08169_zpspyljhuoy.jpg


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And they don't break the bank!

20150819_103724_zps4qyv6pij.jpg
 
jac_solar said:
If you're still looking for a custom, you should consult Anthony Griffin. He offers genuine customs -- knives built from your design.

Here's one he made for me -- a folder with a 0.5" thick, 7" long blade --

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ustom-made-folder-with-a-0-5-quot-thick-blade
Click to expand...

What, no flipper? ;)


Seriously though, instead of hoping someone else will make what you want, going with the brand who already does is a much more practical approach, regardless of what anyone else thinks.
Cold steel makes a good product, period. Marketing gimmicks, personal feelings, whatever one thinks of the owner and tactics (the CRKT lawsuit thing, which settled out if court), aside, the company does make a quality knife, with a left handed carry option, in very large sizes, so if labron James needs a pocket knife, dangit, I'm telling him go check out cold steels xl models.
 
Check out the cold steel 4 max. You want big and bad..4MAX_proto_1.jpg
 
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If you think cold steel is the sharpest out of the box you have a very limited range of experience
 
CD,
CS is probably all he has ever purchased.
Now if we can get him and Boring74 together. They can go make toothpicks on Boring's land in Washington state,:)
 
The Spyderco Tatanka might interest you. Very well put together. Would look great with custom scales too.
 
Dang. My mind has been warped! Now I'm gonna have to go with BF's most famous meme and GET BOTH. I can't get the Tatanka out of my thoughts now.

I'd better get the Spydie first. They disco'd my current EDC, despite left handed knife users stubbornly continuing to exist, so I gotta pull the trigger on Sal's knife first before it disappears for no good reason.
 
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