From a Lefty Multitool User

[mleroux]

I carry an original-design Leatherman Wave together with a Quark AA Tactical LED light in a nice, discreet leather pouch. Very happy with both.

However, my one niggle with Leathermans, multitools in general and the world(!!) is that most tools are designed for the right-handed majority. Not that it's debilitating, but it's not always great and convenient to open something with your right hand and transfer it to your left. At the same time, I wouldn't really like my multitool to be lefty-only; for example, it should be equally usable for my righty wifey. This is why I've always liked Spyderco, etc - ambidextrous is a core feature for them.

That brings me to my question - is there, or will there perhaps ever be, a decent ambidextrous multitool? I'm thinking of a Skeletool-type design here; the design with the thin frame and big blade is lightweight, but in my mind it also allows for an ambidextrous design, with the blade perhaps protruding enough to be accessed by a left or right thumb?

Any thoughts? Is there such a tool, or could a reputable manufacturer be convinced to make one? (I have written Leatherman before, but their response was 'We don't cater for the lefty market, sorry.')

[donvito]

Welcome to the forum mleroux we have a few members here from SA. The Multitasker MT has a OHO knife blade that's perfect for a lefty. I'm a right handed myself, but my brother is a lefty and I see the frustration he has to deal with at times. He is ambidextrous with a lot of things and is getting along well with MTs that he got from me for use. Oh we have a few Spyderco fan boys here as well collection pics when you get a chance

[ari6126]

Looking at my Wave, I don't see a reason for you not to be able to switch the blades to where the file and saw are. (Maybe the lanyard ring, but worst case you could just remove it.) While not ambidextrous, it should work better for a lefty. Also, the 111mm OH line from Victorinox actually works better for lefties.

[Zed]

Looking at my Wave, I don't see a reason for you not to be able to switch the blades to where the file and saw are. (Maybe the lanyard ring, but worst case you could just remove it.) While not ambidextrous, it should work better for a lefty. Also, the 111mm OH line from Victorinox actually works better for lefties.

welcome mate, and i was wondering why LM dont do a lefty version of the wave, 

[evil510]

Looking at my Wave, I don't see a reason for you not to be able to switch the blades to where the file and saw are. (Maybe the lanyard ring, but worst case you could just remove it.) While not ambidextrous, it should work better for a lefty. Also, the 111mm OH line from Victorinox actually works better for lefties.

Easily done actually, however, if you wish for them to snap into the closed position you will need to machine new holes for the bumps on the liner locks to snap into or they'll just flop open at will. I was tempted to do this to my Wave but opted to do a different mod.. outside, one hand (lefty) opening scissors. I am ambidextrous so this worked out great for me. This is definitely a right-handed world in which we live in.....

~ evil ~

[Kmarr]

Powerassist?  You might not get the same blade opening lefty but it is still a blade. You can just grind off the serrations and opt for an awesome sheepsfoot plain edge

[Inzelique]

As a fellow south paw I understand your frustration.  I am fortunately pretty ambidextrous except for writing and eating, but I do get irritated with switching stuff back and forth.  Open with right hand switch to left for carful detail work, and switch back to put it away.  My personal solution is to carry a dedicated folder for Knife work. And currently switching between a powerlock and a blast for MT needs.  Unfoling thr tool anny way means it doesn't really mattter wich hand it is "designed for".
And shame on Leatherman for not making a lefty version!  talk about shuting out a segment of the market.  Besides, think of the collectors!  They would have to hunt down the Lefty Charge, Wave, Surge, ect.....

[Benner]

Looking at my Wave, I don't see a reason for you not to be able to switch the blades to where the file and saw are. (Maybe the lanyard ring, but worst case you could just remove it.) While not ambidextrous, it should work better for a lefty. Also, the 111mm OH line from Victorinox actually works better for lefties.

It is sadly far more involved than that.

[ryan1835]

i have no problem one hand opening my charge left handed, use your first finger to open it a bit then do the rest with your thumb

[Shorty66]

i am a leftie and i CAN open my charge lefthanded, too. Its just nowhere near comfortable and i think even a righty might want to open the tool lefthanded from time to time.
I wish, leatherman put the two blades on one side of the tool. That way there would always be a blade which could be opened one handed regardless which hand.

As there are more righties out there i would choose the plain edge blade to be the right handed one.
In those cases where i quickly want to use a blade one handed i could do with the serrated one most often.