Who told me the Lil Temp was righty only?

[mike_mck2]

A couple of years back I asked around on the forum about the Lil Temp, and more than a few people told me that it was not suited for lefties. Specifically, I think the real issue was supposed to be the G-10 configuration mainly, instead of the lock.

They did me a disservice, although not purposely I'm sure. After owning the Para and finding how superb the compression lock is, I decided to get a Lil Temp anyway, just because of the lock.

It came in today, and it really is the ONE knife I have been looking for all these years. I thought the Para was it, but the Lil Temp is without doubt the knife I have been searching for, with the Para coming in second.

It's really too bad this model was discontinued, but even now you can still get 'em, so I'm not too worried about it. And maybe the redesigned Temp II will be some kind of improvement, although it's hard to imagine a knife more suitable for me than the original.

 

[The Deacon]

Mike, I am glad you are happy with your Lil Temp and comfortable using a tool designed for right handed people. On the other hand, I will continue to point out to left handed users who inquire about it that it has a handed lock and lacks any provision for LH clipped carry. Despite your testimony, I feel it would be a severe disservice to the average left hander not to do so.

The fact that "more that a few" people mentioned that it was less than ideally suited for use by a left hander should make you realize that you possess an extraoridinary combination of manual dexterity and adapatability. I have a hunch that, to some extent, you are confusing the pride you feel from being clever enough to adapt to things which others are unable or unwilling to with genuine ease of use.

 

[Shmackey]

My Lil' Temp is probably the most right-handed knife I own. How are you carrying yours exactly (tip up/down, which pocket)?

 

[mike_mck2]

Mike, I am glad you are happy with your Lil Temp and comfortable using a tool designed for right handed people. On the other hand, I will continue to point out to left handed users who inquire about it that it has a handed lock and lacks any provision for LH clipped carry. Despite your testimony, I feel it would be a severe disservice to the average left hander not to do so.

Did you view the video on the compression lock that was posted recently, for closing the lock with the right or left hand?
I really cannot see how using either hand would require more or less dexterity.
Just a different method for each hand.

Are you saying you actually cannot close a compression lock left handed, or that you just find it a bit more awkward?

The very first "good" knife I ever got was an Emerson CQC 7, that I ordered over the phone, after seeing an advert in a gun mag.
I didn't know from locks, "right" or "left" handed. Never even thought about the thing actually locking open when I ordered it. I just bought into the ad hype and had to have one.
When it landed, and I opened it the first time, the operation of the lock was obvious, and it was a simple matter to understand how to close it one handed.
The point being, I had no idea about right & left handed locks, and just used the thing. I did not know any better, and sometimes that makes all the difference.

The fact that "more that a few" people mentioned that it was less than ideally suited for use by a left hander should make you realize that you possess an extraoridinary combination of manual dexterity and adapatability.

I am definitely no freak of manual dexterity. I'm just not. There's nothing special about it, at all. That's obvious from the video that was posted.
I think that guy was right handed, and had no trouble at all manipulating the compression lock with the left hand.
It might take some practice, and you can't close it left handed exactly the same way that you close it with the right hand, but it's not easier or harder.

I have a hunch that, to some extent, you are confusing the pride you feel from being clever enough to adapt to things which others are unable or unwilling to with genuine ease of use.

The only thing I feel is lucky, that I don't have any problems with "right handed" locks. It's nothing special, or clever, or probably even unique. I'm sure there are several on these forums alone who can do the same, and lots more that are not here.

I am honestly beginning to think it's a case of people "knowing better", and getting hung up on right & left handed arbitrary nomenclature.
I think if someone did like me, and just used the lock without knowing it was only for right handers, they would have no problem.

Again, I'm just glad, either way, that I don't have a problem with any knife locks at all, otherwise I would not have any use for the Paramilitary or Lil Temp, two knives that suit me perfectly.

 

[mike_mck2]

My Lil' Temp is probably the most right-handed knife I own. How are you carrying yours exactly (tip up/down, which pocket)?

What exactly do you find to be "right handed" about it?

I carry it tip down, in the left front pocket. I prefer to have the blade snugged up against the outside of the pocket, rather than to the inside.
If I were going to carry it in the back left pocket, I would switch it to tip up, for this reason.

 

[Shmackey]

What exactly do you find to be "right handed" about it?

I carry it tip down, in the left front pocket. I prefer to have the blade snugged up against the outside of the pocket, rather than to the inside.
If I were going to carry it in the back left pocket, I would switch it to tip up, for this reason.

OK--I got mine out so I can make sure I've got this right. If you carry it tip-down in the left front pocket, then the knife is upside-down or facing backward in your hand when you draw it, depending on how you reach to grab it. I guess if you draw it upside-down, you can do some kind of ring-finger or pinky-finger opening to a reverse grip. That's not too practical but it would at least allow you to open the knife. If you draw it the way a righty would draw a tip-down knife from the right front pocket, then the knife is facing backward, with the spine of the blade in your palm. I don't see how you can open it at all like this.

This all happens because the clip goes only on one side. And it's even extra-super-right-handed because if you did drill screw holes on the other side and mount the clip there, you cover the nifty G10 indexing divots that mirror the holes in the clip.

I agree with you that the Comp Lock isn't that hard to use left-handed (although it's easier to use it elegantly right-handed). What makes the Lil' Temp such a righty knife is the clip setup. If you don't move the clip, then you have the indexing problems I mentioned. If you manage to get the clip on the other side of the knife somehow, you lose out on the matching divots.

I do agree with you about it being an absolutely terrific knife. I'm looking for a plain-edge leaf-shape model to go with my SFO second trailing-point one.

 

[mike_mck2]

I just draw mine by...well, it's hard to explain. I just don't worry about how I'm drawing it really. I draw it out when I need to use it, and then close it and put it up.
I don't practice any kind of defensive draws, MBC, or anything else along those lines, so maybe that's the difference. I really don't know.

I do know that everyone is capable of adapting.
People go blind, they adapt. People lose a limb, they adapt. If these people can adapt, then surely I can "adapt" to a right handed knife lock and clip.
If I don't adapt, the only person I am depriving is myself, nobody else.

If there was a "target audience" for this thread, I guess it would be aimed at those who just don't know any better yet. If you don't know any better, you might be surprised what you can accomplish.
After all, it's just a knife lock and clip, not the gordian knot.

Oh yes,I am also looking for a PE leaf blade in S30V. I have the 440V trailing point, but I think I would prefer the leaf.

 

[cerulean]

The Lil’ Temperance is definitely a great knife! I personally like it a lot more than the Para-Military.

I’m not a lefty, but after spending a few minutes fooling around with it, it does seem to handle pretty well with my off-hand.

To draw it (when it’s carried tip-down in the left front pocket), I do an overhand grab, curl my index finger around and slide it between the top of the handle and my leg, then press on the clip side with my thumb.

Closing it is similar to closing a liner lock. It also seems like the cutout in the stamp-side scale of the Lil’ T. gives your fingers more purchase and allows for easier left handed closing.

 

[The Deacon]

"Did you view the video on the compression lock that was posted recently, for closing the lock with the right or left hand?
I really cannot see how using either hand would require more or less dexterity.
Just a different method for each hand."

Yes I did view the video. It was obvious from that video that the person making it had a very high level of dexterity with both hands. I can envy him for that, but cannot hope to duplicate it. You and I obviously have different views as to what constiutues equal ease of use.

Are you saying you actually cannot close a compression lock left handed, or that you just find it a bit more awkward?

Let's just say that you and I obviously have different views as to what constiutues equal ease of use. I find it considerably more awkward to close left handed than a front lock and a bit more awkward to close right handed
than a front lock as well.

The very first "good" knife I ever got was an Emerson CQC 7, that I ordered over the phone, after seeing an advert in a gun mag.
I didn't know from locks, "right" or "left" handed. Never even thought about the thing actually locking open when I ordered it. I just bought into the ad hype and had to have one.
When it landed, and I opened it the first time, the operation of the lock was obvious, and it was a simple matter to understand how to close it one handed.
The point being, I had no idea about right & left handed locks, and just used the thing. I did not know any better, and sometimes that makes all the difference.
Obvious does not equal desirable. In the old days when left handed scissors were virtually non-existent, I "made do" quite well with right handed ones in the sense that I could cut things more quickly and accurately than many right handers. However, for me to use a right handed scissors today would be an exercise is self abuse, as the left handed ones are far more comfortable.

I am definitely no freak of manual dexterity. I'm just not. There's nothing special about it, at all. That's obvious from the video that was posted.
I think that guy was right handed, and had no trouble at all manipulating the compression lock with the left hand.
It might take some practice, and you can't close it left handed exactly the same way that you close it with the right hand, but it's not easier or harder.

If the only decent knives Spyderco made were compression lock, I could see some validity to that, but since they make an excellent selection of front locks that require NO practice to close easily without risk to fingers, I'll stick with them.

I am honestly beginning to think it's a case of people "knowing better", and getting hung up on right & left handed arbitrary nomenclature.
I think if someone did like me, and just used the lock without knowing it was only for right handers, they would have no problem.

First two Spydies I purchased, sight unseen, were a Herbst (liner lock) and a Vesuvius (compression lock) tried both - liked the hole - hated the locks. Glad it's not that way for you.

Again, I'm just glad, either way, that I don't have a problem with any knife locks at all, otherwise I would not have any use for the Paramilitary or Lil Temp, two knives that suit me perfectly.

Agreed. It's a gift, Be thankful for it. But please don't assume it's universal in left handers.

 

[mike_mck2]

If the only decent knives Spyderco made were compression lock, I could see some validity to that, but since they make an excellent selection of front locks that require NO practice to close easily without risk to fingers, I'll stick with them.

How would your fingers be at risk while closing a compression lock, right or left handed?

Closing any locking knife should be a controlled action, and therefore even if your fingers were, for some reason, in the path of a blade that was closed on purpose, the risk should always be minimal. With the compression lock, you should not even have any fingers in the path of the closing blade, so I honestly cannot see how you would have any fingers at risk while closing it.

The same goes for liner/frame locks as well. Why people actually insist on being required to PUSH their thumbs across the path of the closing blade instead of PULLING their thumb out of the path is incomprehsible to me.

 

[Slim to None]

i find it easier to close the compression lock with my left hand than my right and I'm a righty!

thumb pushing the liner/compression bar in, index finger pushing the blade down.

easier than closing a lockback/"front lock"