Smoother & Straighter Slicing: 4 Knives for Lefties

Knives, I have recently learned, are not necessarily ambidextrous. The bevel on a regular (ie, right-handed) knife does not always work in favor of left-handed motion. The scallops of a serrated knife are on the opposite side. Even the handle might not feel quite right. If you're a leftie, it might be time to seek out a knife just for you.

The serrations on a bread knife or the slanted bevel on a Japanese-style knife are intended to work with the natural angle of your hand to give you a straighter, smoother cut. If you're a leftie using a right-handed blade, that means you have to work doubly hard to keep your slices straight.

European-style knives are more tailored to use by both lefties or righties. These blades are equally angled on either side of the edge, though lefties will still have a hard time with serrated knives.

If you're left-handed and have had trouble finding a knife that feels right in your hand, take a look at some of these leftie knives:

• Shun Classic Left-Handed 8-Inch Chef's Knife, $145 from Amazon.com
• Shun Classic Left-Handed Paring Knife, $80 on Amazon.com
• Messermeister Left-Handed Bread Knife, $85 from Epicurean Edge
• 8-Inch Bread Knife, $23 from Anything Left Handed

Have you ever tried a left-handed knife? Do you think they're worth it?

(Image: MountainHardcore/Shutterstock)

Comments (8)

So I can blame cutting my fingers on the knife, not my lack of skills or dullness? Sweet.

Wish I had realized this before I asked for a new bread knife for Christmas.... hoping for gift receipt so I can exchange for a lefty knife!

I've been coveting those left-handed Shuns for ages!

Weird- I'm hardcore leftie and never in my life had problems with knives. I've never owned or used a knife designed for one hand or the other.

As a leftie, I can tell you that a really good knife can compensate for the issues you pointed out (bevel on the wrong side, balance, etc.), and a really good left-handed knife is downright amazing. I have several Wustof knives that I love love love, but you'd have to pry my Shun left-handed chef's knife out of my cold dead hand. Worth every penny, and then some.

I'm a leftie cooking professional and the only kitchen equipment i've ever had trouble with is righty ice cream scoops.

Good grossness, the person in that photo needs an emery board. Blech.

It's funny, I'm a left handed writer and utensil user, but I've always used knives in my right hand.

I am left-handed. I bought two of the left-handed Shun knives, and wish that I had spent the money more wisely...like on another Kyocera ceramic knife.
The Shun handle is different. But I have found that I prefer a larger handle, like on Wusthoff.

I am guess what...left handed! I do everything left handed- and I use the Itamae knives- no problem whatsoever- and i can tell you I am not exactly coordinated either! But they work!!! Try the chefs knife first, thats what I have, its perfect