Ambidextrous knives

[smcfalls13]

I currently own a Native III, and its a wonderful knife, that I almost feel naked without having in my pocket now. I switched the clip for left handed carry, thanks to several nice individuals here :) But now I've been looking for another knife that could be used by a lefty. I'm not looking for a specifically left handed knife, just one that could I could change the clip on.

I've already decided I'll be getting a Dodo PE, funds permitting, as it will fit my needs nicely for a smaller, work friendly knife. But I would also like a larger knife for some of the heavier duty stuff I need to do.

I've been looking at both the Yojimbo, for its apparently ridiculuous cutting ability, and the Manix, for its near indestructibility. They both appear to be ambidextrous, at least in pictures that I've seen. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Does anyone have any recommendations between these two? Or maybe other suggestions for a knife I overlooked? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[Childe Roland]

The Stretch is probably my favorite everyday pocketknife and is fully ambidexterous.

[The Deacon]

I personally do not find the compression lock any more lefty friendly than the liner lock, but there are other southpaws here that will disagree with that. Thus, of the two you mention, the Manix would be my choice. Less SD oriented, but definitly worthy of room in any left handed spyderknut's arsenal is the Stretch.

[smcfalls13]

I have not handled a compression lock yet, so I'll have to defer to the experts on their left handed compatibility. Backlocks work fine for me though.

I can't believe I forgot about the Stretch though. Stretch if I recall correctly is also able to modified for either tip up or down carry (I haven't decided yet which I prefer, leaning toward tip up)

Are either the Manix or Yojimbo able to be modified for left hand tip up carry. I believe the Yojimbo is already tip up, and can be carried left handed, and I believe the Manix is like the Stretch, with all four possible configurations.

Is that correct, or am I mistaken?

Sounds like I'm gonna need to dump the couch over and see if I can get a Stretch too. Hope the mortgage doesn't come anytime soon. :rolleyes:

[The Deacon]

I have not handled a compression lock yet, so I'll have to defer to the experts on their left handed compatibility. Backlocks work fine for me though.

I can't believe I forgot about the Stretch though. Stretch if I recall correctly is also able to modified for either tip up or down carry (I haven't decided yet which I prefer, leaning toward tip up)

Are either the Manix or Yojimbo able to be modified for left hand tip up carry. I believe the Yojimbo is already tip up, and can be carried left handed, and I believe the Manix is like the Stretch, with all four possible configurations.

Is that correct, or am I mistaken?

Sounds like I'm gonna need to dump the couch over and see if I can get a Stretch too. Hope the mortgage doesn't come anytime soon. :rolleyes:Stretch and Manix both allow the clip to be mounted in all 4 positions, tip up or tip down RH or LH carry. Yojimbo allows tip up only, RH or LH. As I said, some of the other southpaws find the compression lock easy to use, I do not. Might be one of those "old dogs and new tricks" things, due to my age, or because my hands are a bit arthritic and numb, but I find the lockbacks a lot easier to operate.

[smcfalls13]

Sounds like I'm going to need to get a hold of a compression lock and see how it feels. Field trip to the store :rolleyes: Oh what a shame, I'll have to check out some knives, I'm so distraught ;)

Like I really need an excuse.

Though from the feedback I'm getting it sounds like I should get a Stretch first and one of the other two later. Thank you for all your help.

[Michael Cook]

:spyder: The stainless steel a.t.r. is r/l handed, a good value at around $100 :spyder:

[zeus]

That ball lock on the Dodo beats the compression lock in the area of ambidexterity. If you tweak it a bit, you can open and close the knife one-handed and very quickly. Very flickable after removing one of the two springs.

I'm a Lefty and carry a Dodo in the left rear pocket nestled over my wallet if wearing slacks; carried in the LFP if wearing jeans. A Military sits in the right rear pocket.

I was lusting after a Yojimbo until I was able to handle one and operate the lock. The Dodo is much sleeker.

[smcfalls13]

I agree completely, I've had the oppurtunity to handle the ball lock on the Dodo, which is what finally convinced me to get one. Its easier to use than a backlock, at least for me.

I also had the chance to handle the compression lock on the Lil Temp. As far as ambidextrous use goes, it just took some getting used to, but once I got the hang of it, it was easy. But I have to say, I know the compression lock is supposed to be one of the strongest, but it just doesn't feel solid to me.

Just personal opinion I guess, I like the loud click when a backlock engages, and a compression lock just doesn't have that. Oh well, I'm just used to backlocks I suppose. But on the upside, that Lil Temp was an amazing knife despite my dislike of the compression lock.

Dodo first, than Lil Temp.

I better start taking up donations to fund my habit ;)

[Leo Daher]

One of the things I like about Spyderco is the availability of a good number of ambidextrous folders. The ball lock on the Dodo, for instance, works perfectly for me with either hand. I wouldn't mind seeing more models with that feature.

[vampyrewolf]

guess it's time to toss in my couple pennies... or whatever a ramble is worth. :p

I'm one of those "lucky" ppl that society has said "No, you can't be left handed, we're going to force you to conform to right handed like the other 85% of the population". Blessing and curse.

I was finally at the point where I can handwrite left handed(which was my final step to having them both equal), and I fubar'd my left wrist. Now, 7 months later(9 if you go back to the time of injury), I've just got pain and stiffness... still nowhere near what I had for strength prior to injury, but it's slowly getting there.

Where am I getting with this?

IIRC the numbers are 85% right handed, 10% left handed, 5% ambidexterous... So by logic, industry only has to cater to the 85% spread of right handed ppl, and possibly the 5% ambidexterous... leaving the 10% of left handers flailing in the wind.

Enter Spyderco and the innovations it brought with it... *bows to Sal*

Spyderco has the only linerlocks I can operate left handed(more or less 9yrs wasting time at the same knife store). Benchmade's axis lock is easier than the spydie ball lock(unless the dodo has improved since it first came out)...

leaving compression and lock back.

Simple evolution has improved the simple lockback. Compare an OLD 110(well maintained mind you) to a Spydie Endura(both industry standards on the timeline)... apples to oranges mind you, but both examples of high quality with a wide spread in time. Haven't found many lockbacks that I cannot use left handed.

I haven't had any problems using my lil temp left handed, but it's also the only compression lock I have.

For now, my left handed folders are frn/se endura, ss/se cricket, bone kiwi.

I've got a tichbourne h7 and leavitt edc drop point in left handed sheaths as far as fixed blades go.