Well-made lefty edc?

G

gerrybob

Joined
Dec 12, 2005
Messages
3
Hi all,

I am new to the forums but have been reading all through this place for the last couple of days. I've come across a lot of opinions, experience and obviously thoughtful advice. So this seems like the place to ask for same.

I've used knives all my life but never really got into it until lately. Though I always appreciated something well made and designed. I owned Buck folders and fixed, sharpened to can't anymore. Have a nice Leatherman Wave.

I'm looking for a lefty edc, straddling stylish and sturdy. Can carry and not scare off the regular folk. Assisted's are intriguing, but smooth and easy one-hand opening is wanted. Reading the posts has me all over the place looking at Benchmades, Onions, Pauls, Lakes ... Am sufficiently dazed :confused: . Suggestions and guidance most welcome.
 
Any BenchMade Axis lock folder and many Spyderco lockback ones. For that matter the Para Military is a great south paw folder also as is the Yojimbo and the ATR which are all Spydercos btw. You can see all those and read about them here. Spyderco uses the best blade steel of any other company too.

http://spyderco.com/

STR
 
Thanks STR!

Don't know why I resist spydercos but am off to check 'em out. Think it's the looks that put me off.
 
Spydercos look funny, but most of them are comfortable. A very few are useless, but most are very ergonomic, and all are good knives. Get the Ocelot, if you want a great, all-around knife, that's lefty-friendly (I'm a lefty), sturdy, well-made, and good-looking to boot.
 
There are two kinds of appeal with knives. The kind that catches the eye and the kind that catches the hand. Rarely do you see both in the same package or so it seems. Spyderco has this work in the dark policy to some extent so they let the hand dictate the curves, and the feel of the knife. I was the same as you for a good while where Spydercos just got at best a passing glance. Then I got the chance to play with one at a gun show and have been a fan ever since. I have more of them in my stash of knives than any other brand now; one on my pocket too for that matter.

Spydercos typically cut better and are sharper when new out of the box than any other knives I buy and I buy and make quite a few.

Give one a try. The compression lock in the ones I listed (Yojimbo, Para-Military, and ATR) have been written about fondly by many south paws as quite favorable. On the Para Military the clip may present a problem for you because it should idealy be moved to the other side. I can help you with that when and if the time comes though as can many other makers.

STR
 
The ocelot looks like a great knife warden, and I like the idea that the clip can be switched and/or reversed. Curious about hollow ground though, is it durable like a flat grind?

The Stretch C90 looks really good too! Ever handle one?
 
For left handed models which are stylish and sturdy, I'd recommend either the Ocelot or Stretch.

Both are easily converted to lefty carry, both have excellent blade steel, and both are very comfy in the hand.

The Stretch looks a little more distinguised with the stainless handles and kraton inserts (which could always be customized with another material should you so desire)

The Ocelot is so sheeple friendly it's not even funny. It's hard to see it as a weapon when it's got those cute paw prints on it. Pretty hard to get in trouble with this one.

Either one would be a great choice. You can't go wrong.
 
Get yourself a Benchmade Axis-lock...Those are PERFECT for us lefties.:).
 
gerrybob...for normal use, the hollow is fine. I don't care for it nearly as well as a flat grind myself. On the Ocelot, Spyderco left the spine very thick for strength and the hollow (I can only assume) for looks. Hollow grinds are very pretty but not as durable as a flat grind. That being said, for 99% of what the average person is going to cut, it's fine. The Ocelot is just a very well-made knife...nearly custom quality IMO. And yes, I have handled a Stretch. I loved the blade, the grind, and the handle (mostly). I felt it was one of the best designed, and worst-built Spydercos I've ever handled. The one I bought had a lot of slop side to side and in the lock. A lot for me, anyway. I traded it. The sumbitch would cut, though, and cut well. I didn't like the Kraton inserts, though. Snagged and dragged on my jeans, and that Kraton just don't wanna stay glued to the handle. If you have an option, never go with a handle with soft, sticky inlays. I've never had them stay put. Bead-blasted Micarta inserts would've been much better, or textured G-10. The Kraton sucks. Honestly the Stretch would probably be the perfect using knife if it had a Micarta or G-10 textured handle (with nested liners), and an adjustable pivot bolt, rather than the peined pin. It had a nice blade shape and a fantastic grind. And Spydercos invariably have much better heat-treat than Benchmades, like the Axis-locks. They just cut better, IMO. Go for the compression lock. Less things to go wrong with it than the Axis (although the Axis is a very ambidextrous, and very smooth, locking mechanism).
 
im a lefty and i use the same philosophy i use on guitars.

... just deal with it.
i play regular guitars and use my knife with my right hand.

there arent many knives that have ambi' locks, much less reversable clips. (although locks really arent as big a deal)
 
That's a good point, too. Most knives you can work with, with a little adaptation. I play guitar right-handed, throw a baseball right-handed, and usually open a knife right-handed. Just got used to it. Most knives aren't that hard to get used to. That being said, I still recommend Spyderco over BM. They're just better knives.
 
I'm a big fan of Spydercos too and I think the Ocelot is a great suggestion. My wife has carried one of the custom prototypes for several years now. It is a brilliant design that combines outstanding ergonomics and cutting ability with a friendly look. I plan to get one of the production models for myself...

--Bob Q
 
If you can, order yourself a left handed Sebenza. That is my edc - well made and won't scare the sheeple.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top