Knives for left-handed people: the reality of the market

Being left-handed often means having to cope with a world designed for right-handed people. The figures speak for themselves. In France, only 11% of the population naturally uses their left hand. Tools, instruments, everyday objects, few are adapted for left-handed people. Knives for left-handed people are no exception to the rule. In traditional French cutlery, blades are almost always beveled to the right, which limits the specific offering for left-handed people. Does this mean you have to give up the pleasure of a beautiful handmade knife? Not at Couteaux Morta. In our workshop, several models are perfectly suited to left-handed people, whether they are fixed knives, EDCs, or the famous rear-pivot folding knife. Let’s find out together what distinguishes a left-handed knife and why some collections are better suited than others.

I am skilled with my left hand and clumsy with my right hand,

Raymond Devos. 

Knives for left-handed people: what really changes?

A blade beveled on the left

Look closely at your blade and you will see a very slight inclination on one of the two sides of the blade: this is the bevel. The ground and sharpened surface forms the cutting edge of the knife. This is known as an asymmetrical blade or one-sided blade.

Naturally, the hand using a knife tilts slightly toward the middle, and the bevel of the blade accompanies the movement. 

Thus, a left-handed knife has a blade that is beveled on the left, meaning that its cutting edge is more pronounced. A right-handed knife emphasizes the right side of the blade.

The opposite side is slightly concave. This technical detail:

• helps the blade glide more easily through the flesh of the food;
• prevents pieces from sticking;
• preserves the flavor of the food.

A knife for ambidextrous users would have a symmetrical blade with a double bevel. This is very rare on the market, mainly because the cut would be less clean and would damage the food, making it less appetizing.

Today, in traditional French cutlery, most blades are beveled on the right.

The opening and closing tab on a folding knife

Folding knives with a nail nick opening mechanism are more commonly found with the slot on the left side. This makes them easier to use for right-handed people than for left-handed people. This is because the thumb of the hand holding the knife is used to unfold the blade.

It is therefore right-handed people who place their thumb on the left side of the blade.

However, many people open their pocket knives with both hands, in a simple and quick movement.

Morta knives compatible with left-handed users

Fortunately, many knife models are compatible with both left- and right-handed users, particularly in the fixed knife range.

Morta fixed knives that can be used by left-handed users

Morta fixed knives, even those with a right-handed bevel like most French blades, remain very comfortable for left-handed users. Whether in the kitchen or outdoors, their ease of use and right- or left-handed grip allow for natural movement without any particular constraints.

Accustomed to living in a right-handed world, left-handed people develop great adaptability. This is also why there is little equipment available for left-handed people.

« With some tools, I even find myself unsure how to hold them to maximize comfort and safety. I then have to think about what I would have done instinctively. For example, with chainsaws, angle grinders, coffee makers, folding knives, etc. »,

says Ajja on the left-handed forum.

Interested in the talents of a left-handed brain 😉? See the last section of this article 👇

For your outdoor activities (bushcraft, camping, hiking), EDC models offer an excellent compromise.

Even if the opening tab is positioned on the right-handed side, the movement remains simple with both hands. Left-handed people therefore find it almost as comfortable to use.

Pocket knives and folding knives for left-handers

As mentioned above, most users open their fingernail-opening pocket knives with both hands. It is a spontaneous, quick, simple, and effective movement.

Discover our collection of folding knives

Our rear pump models are particularly suitable for left-handers. When opening, there is no frame lock, thumb stud, or thumb button to interfere with the movement. The same applies when closing; left-handed users are not hindered by a mechanism that goes against their reflexes.

The Morta Rear Pump has a system that allows:

• opening by pressing the thumb on the rear part of the blade;
• a natural movement that is identical for both right- and left-handed users;
• lateral freedom, unlike traditional tabs;
• natural unlocking without contorting the hand.

The Morta Rear Pump knife solves the main problems of folding knives for left-handed users by offering an opening system and ergonomics that are naturally adapted to both hands.

And for fans of more rock ‘n’ roll knives, the Paint It Black model stands out with its black blade for a unique look.

Which Morta knife would you recommend for a left-handed person?

What kind of left-handed person are you? Do you use your knives outdoors, for DIY projects, or in the kitchen?

EDC knives

For left-handed people who love the great outdoors and freedom, we recommend Every Day Carry knives. They are versatile and effective even in extreme conditions, such as enjoying drinks with friends after a hard day’s work.

🔗 How to choose the right EDC knife?

Chef’s knives

For left-handed cooking enthusiasts, Morta chef’s knives are a safe bet. Their balance and blade length facilitate precise movements, whether you use your left or right hand.

Their stainless steel or Damascus steel blades enhance the kitchen with elegant movements. Beef ribs and pot-au-feu vegetables will be delighted.

Use them for:

• Cut carrots, peppers, and zucchini into sticks for a vegetable julienne.
• Chop onions (the width of the blade guides your fingers and its length facilitates the rocking motion).
• Slice your pieces of meat.

The long, sturdy blade easily cuts through fibers.

Paring knives

For everyday cutting tasks, the paring knife (available in standard or XL size) is ideal in the following situations.

• Turning vegetables (potatoes into barrel shapes for even cooking). The blade’s maneuverability facilitates rotational movements.
• Peeling citrus fruits (removing the skin and white membrane from oranges, lemons, and grapefruits to leave only the pulp). The short, thin blade follows the curve of the fruit.
• Chopping fresh herbs (finely chopping basil and chives).

The precision of the paring knife allows for total control of the movement required for the smallest surfaces.

What about left-handed people? 

🔗 Knives for women: read here how women are torn between modernity and tradition.

How do you sharpen a knife when you’re left-handed?

🔪 Morta’s secret: always have the same person sharpen the knife: you! Whether you’re right-handed or left-handed, the important thing is to develop your own technique.

Jean-Henri, our master cutler, prefers sharpening with a natural stone. His experience has taught him that it is up to the owner of the knife to find the most natural method, regardless of your dominant hand.

With the stone in your hand, on a stable surface, using a pulling or pushing motion, the most important thing is that your movement remains natural.

Our Morta knife-making tips:

1. Moisten the stone generously: the water mixed with the steel particles creates a magical abrasive paste that reveals the cutting edge.
2. Stabilize your work surface with a cloth for surgical precision.
3. Maintain an angle of 15 to 25°, whether you are left-handed or right-handed, as this geometry is universal.
4. Make smooth strokes from the base to the tip, without forcing, and let the stone do the work.
5. Alternate: make the same number of strokes on each side, at a steady pace that suits you.
6. Remove the burr with two outward strokes.

The result? A personalized technique, refined expertise, and the constant pleasure of a perfect cutting edge.

One last tip: sharpen your blade regularly; don’t wait until it loses its edge.

For those who prefer the tutorial, it’s here.

Left-handed dominance: a unique talent that makes a difference

Scientific studies show that the brains of left-handed people are not organized in the same way as those of right-handed people. This structural difference gives them measurable advantages: faster reaction times, increased creativity, and greater cognitive flexibility. In a world designed for right-handed people, left-handed people learn to constantly adapt, developing particular skills and ingenuity.

Neuroscience researchers such as Guy Azemar confirm these specific characteristics. For example, there are twice as many left-handed people in sports where quick reflexes make all the difference. But this advantage is also noticeable in the arts, leadership, and innovation.

Some famous figures illustrate these qualities: Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and Napoleon in politics; Rafael Nadal and Lionel Messi in sports; Albert Einstein in science; Bill Gates in entrepreneurship; and Paul Verlaine in poetry.

This is clear proof that the uniqueness of left-handed people is a strength in many areas.

😉 Did you know?

• August 13 is International Left-Handers Day.
• In France, the table knife for left-handers is placed to the right of the plate.

Knives for left-handers are still rare on the market, especially in French craftsmanship. At Couteaux Morta, no models are designed exclusively for the left hand. But in reality, many left-handed people find our knives comfortable to use, whether they are fixed models, our EDCs, or the Morta rear pump, designed without opening constraints. In the kitchen or in the great outdoors, the most important thing is to choose a knife that is reliable, durable, and comfortable to hold. And on this point, left-handed and right-handed people share the same requirement: the pleasure of a handcrafted knife designed with passion and carefully made from fine wood.

Article written by the sharp pen of Christelle Lorant.🪶 

Other sources

• RTBF Actus.
• Neozone.org

Key questions in the article