Wrong-handed folks have long being stigmatized in the knife industry. There are a number of pocket knives designed with left-handed support, don’t get me wrong, but most of these seem to me to be more of an afterthought, rather than being true ambidextrous folding EDCs. After years of fielding questions about “the best left-hand friendly knives” I am finally getting around to writing the article I’ve always known I should have – to shed light on the matter, and be able to point to in the future for anyone else curious about my thoughts on the best left-handed knives.
Now, personally, I am a correct-handed user, and thus have been lucky enough to never need to spare much thought to left-handed considerations when buying knives. Of course, I do always mention in my reviews when I feel a knife would be fit for a lefty, as yes, knives that are excellent for left handed users are few and far between. Those of you who are not so fortunate to be a part of the right-handed club have to constantly ponder the viability of a specific lock, deployment, or clip position, which I’m sure is frustrating. And while this list of left handed knives is nowhere near exhaustive, I’m hoping it’s a starting point to finding something you lefties are as happy with using as your right-hand user counterparts.
Cold Steel Recon 1 Tanto Blade Folding Knife – Amazon / Blade HQ
To identify knives that meet the left handed criteria, I am looking at neutral platforms that are inherently designed to be ambidextrous, not merely knives that have double sided thumb studs or other quality of life features. In short, a knife has to be able to deploy and unlock naturally with one’s left hand as well as being able to be clipped to your left pocket, all whilst allowing easy/natural deployment.
Before I start, if you’re a left-hand user yourself, please keep in mind your current favourites while reading through this list. If your favourite pocket knife is not on my list – I would urge you to please leave a comment down below stating what your EDC is and why it’s great for left handed users. Why? Honestly, things are hard enough for left-handed knife aficionados, it’s about time recommendations got a little easier to find, and what better place than an article like this, dedicated exclusively to left-handed knives. Your comment is much more likely to be read here by other lefties than it is on a review or anywhere else on this site – so it’s more likely to help another left handed user out. And now for my 2c…
My Opinion: Best Left-Handed Knives for Lefty EDC-ers
1. Benchmade 940 Osborne
Some of you might be surprised that I didn’t pick the Spyderco Para-Military 2 for the #1 spot on this list. After all, it’s always topped my lists for the best EDC knives on the market. The reality is, however, whilst the Paramilitary 2 is indeed viable for wrong handed folks, it’s not as neutral as the 940 as a consequence of the PM2’s compression lock. The actuation is different from left hand to right hand, and thus the Benchmade 940 Osborne is my top recommendation for a lefty EDC. It is a 100% neutral platform that works identically regardless of hand bias and is ultimately one of the best folding knives ever created. As the years go on, I find myself picking it over the Paramilitary 2 more and more- the only thing the Paramilitary does better is (in my opinion) cutting performance. Even then, the Benchmade ain’t no slouch!
Availability: Amazon • Blade HQ • eBay
Read our review of the Benchmade 940 Osborne
2. Cold Steel Recon 1
Impressively (like a lot of Cold Steel knives) the Recon 1 comes with a special clip designed to mirror the right side carry. On this particular knife, as with pretty near well all Cold Steels, this isn’t an afterthought, but a conscious decision to support all handed people and at an extremely reasonable price-point. I still prefer the Benchmade for EDC-ing but the lock strength and toughness of the Recon 1 is legendary. For rougher tasks – regardless of left or right hand carry, it’s bang for buck one of the best knives ever made.
Availability: Amazon • Blade HQ • eBay
Read our review of the Cold Steel Recon 1
3. Spyderco Para-military 2
In my opinion, while the Paramilitary 2 will never be my favourite Spyderco, it is still the ultimate introduction to Spyderco and can hold its head up high as a pretty perfect figurehead. I will always love my Military more, but every time I say this I have to follow up with the acknowledgement that the Para-military is objectively a better knife when looking at raw performance relative to size. The compression lock operates nicely when using it in the “wrong” hand, but due to the liner design as opposed to the TRI-AD lock or the AXIS lock, it is still biased somewhat. Not because it is harder (or easier), but because it is different. The Spyderhole, though, is (in my opinion) the best deployment system ever created and obviously doesn’t care what finger or thumb you happen to use. And this I do have personal experience with, since my thumb is pretty busted and I often use my middle finger to deploy with a Spydie hole.
Availability: Amazon • Blade HQ • eBay
Read our review of the Spyderco Paramilitary 2
4. Benchmade Griptilian
The Griptilian is a ubiquitous knife in this industry. Long held up as the standard Benchmade, I think it’s a pretty great platform despite being inferior to the Osborne as an EDC. That said, it is much cheaper, but then again has inferior materials used. I frequently flip-flop on which Benchmade should reign supreme and after EDC-ing the Osborne for the past year, I have to give the crown to it. Your mileage may vary.
Availability: Amazon • Blade HQ • eBay
Read our review of the Benchmade Griptilian
5. Cold Steel Finn Wolf
No surprise to many of you, I absolutely love this knife. Its size, feel, and performance easily puts it into the top 3 with only the questionable aesthetics nudging it down. I personally don’t find the styling off putting, but I know a lot of you do. If you want a folding bushcraft knife with a best-in-class lock, however, this is it.
Availability: Amazon • Blade HQ • eBay
Read our review of the Cold Steel Finn Wolf
Benchmade 940 Osborne Lightweight Pocket EDC Knife – Amazon / Blade HQ
6. Spyderco Matriarch 2 Wave
I recently bought my own Matriarch 2 with the Emerson Wave feature and have been smitten ever since. This is most likely the blade with the most bad intent. I also own the CRKT Hisshou, but the Spydie really is one of a kind with its over-the-top aggressive styling. The Wave feature works well and the nature of the Spyderhole + 4 way clip means it doesn’t discriminate.
Availability: Amazon • Blade HQ • eBay
7. Case Swayback Gent
No clip + one hand deployment or lock means this folder is equally lacklustre in its biases. For a slip joint gents knife, I think the Case Sway Back Gent dominates the competition. I have no idea why this knife is not more popular as its construction is fantastic, it disappears in your pocket, and is so damn pretty that you will instantly become more attractive by merit of carrying it. I keep trying to get the word out, but alas it seems one person cannot easily change the knife world. To this day, I never understand why the Sodbuster from Case or the Old Timer from Schrade outsell this lil’ tyke by leaps and bounds. Doesn’t make much sense to me. Anyone want to hazard an explanation?
Read our review of the Case Sway Back Gent
8. Left Hand Chris Reeve Sebenza
Its a Sebbie that’s designed for left-handed users. Does anything else really need to be said? If you want a solid framelock from a manufacturer with a long history in the industry – you have no other choice. I would personally go for the Insigno version (whenever it’s in stock!) as that blade is absolutely beautiful.
9. Spyderco Military (Left Hand Edition)
The Military Left Hand Edition is a Spyderco Military that’s literally built with everything the wrong way around. Never knew this existed, but from what I can see, if you want the Military and happen to be left handed – this is literally designed for you. I know my love on the Spydie Military frequently gets flack from all of you due to the sub-par blade-to-handle ratio and lack of modernization (when are we gonna get a Military 2, Sal?), but honestly, I love this knife regardless of its shortcomings. This is a blade that will put a smile on your face, and whilst the Para-Mil 2 is a modern rendition with a superior lock, etc., I still think the class Military with its nested-liner lock and oversized handle has its place. My 2c.
Availability: Amazon • Blade HQ • eBay
10. Spyderco UKPK
Reversible wire clip (best pocket clip ever!) and the ubiquitous Spyderhole coupled with the lack of a lock (it’s a strong slip joint) means that this lightweight EDC plays nice, even in the left pocket. Practically, whilst the lack of a lock may disappoint some of you, I stand by my statement that this is a great EDC knife regardless of the laws in your area. I always thought I would *need* a lock until I owned this fantastic knife.
Availability: Amazon • Blade HQ • eBay
Read our review of the Spyderco UKPK
10½. Buck 110
I hesitated to place this knife on the list. It’s a traditional lock back with no clip, and frankly, my love for it is due to my appreciation for history as well as a bias towards old school Americana, but at the end of the day – those who love with 110 (and we are many!) will understand the appeal. This is a unique folder that punches far above its (considerable) weight, and whilst the fit and finish, grind, lock – hell, everything – has been superseded by modern options, I reckon this knife will be in production 20 years from now. Can we say the same about the latest flipper from the East? I don’t think so.
Availability: Amazon • Blade HQ • eBay
Read our review of the Buck 110
Cold Steel Finn Wolf Scandi EDC Pocket Knife – Amazon / Blade HQ
Your Turn: Top Left Hand Pocket Knife Recommendations
Now it’s your turn to list what you think the best knives for left-handed knife users happen to be. If that’s one or two I’ve already listed, let me know why they’re better than the others on this list in your opinion. If there’s something that should’ve made it to this list, again, please leave a comment down below so that other left-handed users can discover these knife recommendations.
Have any terrible experiences with knives that are recommended for lefties, but are in-practice honestly not too great? Also good to know – don’t forget to tell us about your negative experiences as well down below.
Jason says
I’m curious: does anyone know of a left-handed knife maker? Someone who is left-handed themselves, and designs and makes knives?
Thomas Xavier says
If you are talking about custom knives, then I suspect most bladesmiths would be willing to accommodate wrong handed people.
Jason says
“Wrong-handed” is a matter of perspective, Mr. Xavier, as is an appreciation for the awkwardness and clumsiness of using a “wrong-handed” tool.
Rad says
As a south-paw myself I’ve chosen to carry Boker Plus Griploc and I could not be happier with it. I’ve eyed the Benchmade too, but I just love the Griploc action, weight, ease of use…
Thomas Xavier says
The griploc does have a super smooth action to be sure. That said I do think the axis lock is something “special” and if you have to opportunity to try it out I would recommend you do so.
dizave says
Demko AD-15 and MG-20 work well.
Thomas Xavier says
I love Demko designs- 100% agreed with that recommendation.
Avery says
I think this is a great list, however as a lefty I find nail nicks annoying to operate. I wish they made a nick on the opposite side for classics like the 110
Thomas Xavier says
A good point. Are there no wrong handed equivalents of the 110? Seems like a major oversight for such a popular model.
Brad M says
Kizer has 3 mirror image lefty versions of a right hand knife to my knowledge.
As a lefty I just got the kizer sheepdog C01C.
peridot says
cool guide and all but what’s with referring to us lefties as “wrong handed”? there is no right or wrong in dominant hands. nice you’re trying to cover the stigma but in a way you’re just furthering it
Thomas Xavier says
Hey mate, i’m sorry to tell you this but there are right hand users and wrong hand users. It’s only logical.
David H says
What I don’t like is the right hand grind on a knife otherwise my Gerber is OK! Clip & release are manageable thumb & wrist flick opens extremely fast.
Stig Palmer says
Benchmad 490. If you have held and deployed one, you know. If you have not, you should
Thomas Xavier says
I assume you mean the 940, if so- agreed 100%
Mike Brousseau says
This will sound like an odd choice to some, but the CRKT Swindle could work well for lefties. It has an ambidextrous pocket clip and it’s a flipper. The frame lock is easy to operate lefthanded. It’s certainly not a hard use knife but for everyday tasks, it works.
David H says
Even though they’re ambidextrous most blade have taper thin edge on wrong side of blade!
SavvyVet says
I own many Cold Steel- a lot (all) of them are set for left and right, but my favorite, being a lefty, is the American Lawman. I carried one of the first with the AUS-8 steel in the sands prior to 9/11. I beat the crap out of that knife and I still own it and carry it my rotation to this day. I also bought a newer version with the slimmer build and the tool steel. Oddly, I prefer the handle width on the original, but like the steel on the new version. I digress…
Other knives are Benchmade Triage (modded the blade tip to a real wharncliffe), Kershaw’s Knockout and Dividend, SOG Spec Elite and others. While I can’t say these are true Lefty knives, they work because the clips are reversible. Which brings another point, most Lefty’s by now have adapted to knives if they have the reversible pocket clip. Not sure I wouldn’t have to learn all over again to close a “left” blade. :-)
Gary says
Kershaw 1880 aka Piston. Dual thumb studs. Four clip mount options. Pretty sure there are other models with the same features. Been my EDC for four years.
Thomas Xavier says
Never used it but looks awesome, jade G-10 should be more common.
Rick says
I have carried the crkt framelock m16-01s for several years now; flipper style, ambi thumb stud and reversible pocket clip make it adaptable for lefty use. I tried the liner lock versions and found them to be more fiddly to use because of the “safety” button that has to be depressed to allow the liner to release.
scarfmace says
Great list. I own a Left hand Spyderco ParaMil 2 and its a great EDC. But I have my eye set for a while now on an Emerson CQC-7BW in left hand. This is such a great looking knife!
Thomas Xavier says
Nothing but love for Emerson designs, there is something special about the ergonomics!
Gareth Alexander Baus says
I’m not left handed, but I have found opinels to be easy to open one(with the exception of my #2 it is to hard to grip one handed while opening) handed on either side so they would probably make decent left handed knives.
Thomas Xavier says
Good call, its true that Opinels have no real bias with regards to which hand you use.
David says
You missed the utmost best left hand specific folder beyond any other. The DPx HEST F. This has titanium and g10 scales, a variety of super steels and features that no other knife has. Until you own one you simply don’t know. It is the best EDC folder in either left or wrong hand config. Now they are making the smaller right hand version urban with bearings, s35vn and I hear they are working on a lefty of it so that will be the ultimate personal carry folder.
Thomas Xavier says
I have always wanted to own a HEST- that blade stock is just beastly! Sadly to this day I don’t have one. :( once I get my grubby mitts on one, i’ll review it and most likely update this list. Thanks for dropping by!
Kevin Hicks says
My Benchmade 940-1 is my favorite lefty knife, closely followed by my Spyderco Paramilitary 2, left-handed version. After that is just about every knife Benchmade makes with the axis lock.
Thomas Xavier says
I love my 940 too, amazing amount of blade for its size and weight.
Justin Bouwhuis says
Hmmmm I tend to go for lock backs spyderco delica, buck, ka-bar dozier design just reverse the thumb stud. Strangely the victorinox one handed trekker is left handed liner lock by design
Thomas Xavier says
Aye, I found that weird (about the Victorinox) too, can’t say I was much of a fan of them though.
Chris says
Thomas,
I’d like to add a few knives to your list for Lefty-friendly EDC’s. Buck makes the Spitfire (model #722) and Mini-Spitfire (Model #726). These are Made in USA knives and have right or left handed carry pocket clip and a thumb hole for ambidextrous opening. Also, there are the SOG Vulcan and SOG Mini-Vulcan series which all have a right or left handed deep carry pocket clip with an ambidextrous Arc-lock. The SOG Vulcans are Made in Japan. I’ve carried both the Spitfire (#722) and SOG Mini-Vulcan as left-handed EDC blades, and I would recommend either one to my fellow Lefties. Thanks for taking the time to address the matter of Left-handed carry options on your blog.
Thomas Xavier says
You are most welcome Chris, I know wrong-handed folks often have a tough time with truly ambidextrous options.