# Gifts for lefthanders **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 19, 2018, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-for-lefthanders/826351 "2018-12-19T03:14:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-for-lefthanders/826351/21 "2018-12-19T22:28:21Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > Notice that the blades of the left-handed and right-handed knives are mirror-images… My bread knives are scalloped on both sides. ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-for-lefthanders/826351/22 "2018-12-19T22:40:29Z")
> [@raventhief](#): > > My bread knives are scalloped on both sides. Or at least I think they are. I’ll check later. My husband’s a lefty and I’m a righty, neither of us have an issue using the same knife. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-for-lefthanders/826351/23 "2018-12-19T23:42:05Z")
My knives are not an issue. An aside, my son had to learn to shoot a rifle right handed in the Marine Corps. I don’t recall if it was a policy or if it was just how they taught him. He had been using guns since about 10yo, as a lefty. They changed that. ---
**Author:** ![HelenGawn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e4f/32.png) [@HelenGawn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HelenGawn)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-for-lefthanders/826351/24 "2018-12-19T23:43:56Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > A better teacher! > > Seriously, _some_ adult have angling in the handle to make them easier/more comfortable to hold in the right hand vs. the left hand. However, many scissors do not have this there is just a circle/oval for your thumb/fingers to go thru. > > The cheap kid/school scissors were always like this. The only difference was that right handed scissors had a point on the end while the lefty ones were curved. Lefties just use the other hand; they don’t ride the short bus to school & they’re not more prone to run with (& subsequently trip) while holding scissors necessitating the safety tip. Not true. I can’t quite work out the mechanics of it, but if you use scissors of the wrong hand, there’s a gap between the blades and they’ll mangle the paper or cloth instead of cutting. For a kid, being able to cut neatly is a big plus. My cite is my own experience. I learned to use right-handed scissors in school, but when I got older, my mom assembled a small sewing kit for me. She drove all over town to find lefty shears. Unfortunately, by then I’d been ruined and had to abandon them. The kid’s way too young now, but if he gets into camping, get him a [left-handed Swiss Army knife.](https://www.leftyslefthanded.com/Left_Handed_Swiss_Army_Knife_The_Evolution_p/586054.htm) Mine is my prize possession. I learned that the can opener on a standard knife is right-handed when my left hand went completely numb trying to get dinner open. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2018, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-for-lefthanders/826351/25 "2018-12-20T00:07:03Z")
I have a small pair of cheap school type scissors sitting in my end table. I keep the there to open mail or cut a coupon. Just a handy spot. I just grabbed them and cut a piece of paper. Lefthanded, right handed or upside down in either hand. Worked perfectly. The brand is ‘academic’. I’m sure They came from Wal-Mart. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2018, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-for-lefthanders/826351/26 "2018-12-20T00:13:07Z")
I am currently gathering scissors around the house. I have many pair. I’m going to conduct a cutting experiment. I’ll let you know how it turns out. ---
**Author:** ![MollyCatherine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bc79bd/32.png) [@MollyCatherine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MollyCatherine)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2018, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-for-lefthanders/826351/27 "2018-12-20T01:53:18Z")
The blades are reversed on lefty scissors. > **[File:Scissors left and right handed.jpg](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Scissors_left_and_right_handed.jpg)** Lefty scissors feel very _wrong_ to use with your right hand. The top blade also blocks your view of the line a bit (when using the wrong scissors in your dominant hand). Having tried them (i.e., being a righty who has used lefty scissors), I’m a big believer of offering left-handed kids the appropriate scissors for them. If they end up cutting with their right or preferring righty scissors, that’s fine. But for a few dollar investment, it’s worth letting your child try them out. Please make sure you buy a true lefty pair and not those that claim to work for either. The “ambidextrous” scissors have a neutral grip on standard righty blades. [https://www.walmart.com/ip/Fiskars-Softgrip-Left-handed-Pointed-tip-Kids-Scissors-5/23872524](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Fiskars-Softgrip-Left-handed-Pointed-tip-Kids-Scissors-5/23872524) ---
**Author:** ![K2500](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f6c823/32.png) [@K2500](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K2500)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2018, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-for-lefthanders/826351/28 "2018-12-20T02:12:47Z")
Something to clean all that ink and graphite off his hand. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2018, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-for-lefthanders/826351/29 "2018-12-20T03:21:03Z")
I’ve tested 7 pairs of scissors. The only ones I didn’t use on paper were my good sewing scissors. They all cut perfectly in either hand, except some old kitchen shears. They were serrated to one side and I think that was the problem. ---
**Author:** ![lisiate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f05b48/32.png) [@lisiate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisiate)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2018, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-for-lefthanders/826351/30 "2018-12-20T04:03:40Z")
I think it’s some kind of fine motor skill or something. At kindy today I picked up a pair of their scissors and used them just fine with my left hand. But when he tries it just doesn’t work at all. I imagine as an adult he’ll be able to adjust as easily as I can but for now he can have his own special pair. The pocketknife is a good idea in 5 or so years. ---
**Author:** ![lisiate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f05b48/32.png) [@lisiate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisiate)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2018, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-for-lefthanders/826351/31 "2018-12-20T04:05:36Z")
> [@K2500](#): > > Something to clean all that ink and graphite off his hand. It must be the way he writes/draws or something but his hand is cleaner than mine afterwards. I’m a terrible dragger. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2018, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-for-lefthanders/826351/32 "2018-12-20T04:42:54Z")
> [@lisiate](#): > > I think it’s some kind of fine motor skill or something. At kindy today I picked up a pair of their scissors and used them just fine with my left hand. But when he tries it just doesn’t work at all. I imagine as an adult he’ll be able to adjust as easily as I can but for now he can have his own special pair. > > The pocketknife is a good idea in 5 or so years. Yep. Its all about what works for him. I’m lefty and 2 of my kids are lefties. We all do things differently. ---
**Author:** ![mistymage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mistymage/32/459_2.png) [@mistymage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mistymage)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2018, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-for-lefthanders/826351/33 "2018-12-20T05:32:58Z")
How about not thinking about his dominant hand and just buy him something fun for XMas? Save the everyday stuff that helps him for… any other day. Now if you can find spend a few hours and, nowadays if you want something specific, like being left handed, there are tons of places that cater to the specific. I love the Internet! It’s where I get all my pet themed stuff 😃 And really old stuff like the pompom Chicago White Sox Coke hats for my hubby. Big url [for the one I bought 2 years ago](https://www.google.com/search?q=pompom+Chicago+White+Sox+Coke+hats&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS721US721&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=x6loXQF22wp0iM%253A%252CBPe5QFzPM_LTiM%252C_&usg=AI4_-kSpuD2V6HThZzF3hz6vbzfTXrZ1eQ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjhzeDe063fAhUl2IMKHchCBsAQ9QEwAHoECAQQBA#imgrc=x6loXQF22wp0iM:) and if anyone has a few stashed in their closets/attics… the dude loves them and I’ll pay about $30 plus shipping for them. I bought him 3 via etsy and ebay… he may be set for about 20 years now but… those pom poms do get yucky and fall off. My left handed MIL has all the left stuff she could ever want… it would have to be extra new so she hadn’t bought it for herself already. At 4 I would go with beyond finger paints unless he likes finger painting still with things like the water color by number books or even the color by numbers not oil paint books. Or color crayon books or musical instruments (keyboards/drum sets/guitars). Anything that is fun or cool (no idea on lil kids stuff any more as mine are all pretty much adults and no grandkids). I do have a left handed brother and he pretty much does everything with his right hand besides his signature and welding. He found at a young age (19) he laid a bead better with his left than his right. ---
**Author:** ![kferr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@kferr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kferr)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2018, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-for-lefthanders/826351/34 "2018-12-20T13:22:19Z")
Just checked both of my bread knives and both match what **Quartz** describes as left handed. One is from a low to mid-range knife set, the other is a Sainsbury’s own brand. In a right dominated world you’d expect any random bread knife to be right handed. The odds of buying two left handed knives when not specifically looking for one seems pretty low. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2018, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-for-lefthanders/826351/35 "2018-12-20T14:32:15Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > If I hold a right-handed knife in my left hand and the bread in my right the scallops face outwards. If I hold a left-handed bread knife in my left hand, the scallops face inwards. > > If I hold a right-handed bread knife in right hand and the bread in my left, the scallops face inwards. If I hold a left-handed bread knife in my right hand the scallops face outwards. Wow, you’re quick! As soon as I posted my response I realized that my brain had cramped and edited it to “NM”. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2018, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-for-lefthanders/826351/36 "2018-12-20T19:28:48Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > Other than scissors, the best left-handed thing I’ve had is a spiral notebook. He can use it for his drawings. Why is there a special kind of notebook? 😕 Couldn’t you just write on the left pages instead of the right pages to get on the correct side of the spiral? (IALH) > [@Quartz](#): > > I have a left-handed corkscrew. When I used fountain pens (yes, I’m that old) I could get left-handed nibs. And so on. I have a left-handed corkscrew too and my wife gets mad at me every time she tries to use it. Fountain pen nibs are symmetrical, at least every one that I’ve ever used (I just checked the one in my pocket). Calligraphy pens are a different story–you really need a lefty model for that. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2018, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-for-lefthanders/826351/37 "2018-12-20T19:30:28Z")
I have a left-handed ruler, which is great for marking off measurements on paper or wood. If a lefty uses a right-handed rule, the left hand holding the pencil covers up the measurements you are trying to read. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2018, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-for-lefthanders/826351/38 "2018-12-20T22:43:24Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > Fountain pen nibs are symmetrical, at least every one that I’ve ever used (I just checked the one in my pocket). Italic nibs, for example, are not. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2018, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-for-lefthanders/826351/39 "2018-12-20T22:43:56Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > Why is there a special kind of notebook? 😕 Couldn’t you just write on the left pages instead of the right pages to get on the correct side of the spiral? (IALH) You could, but tell your left-handed kid who’s already feeling awkward when every other kid in class is right-handed to work in his notebook from back to front. It’s even worse when the classroom only has [right-handed desks.](https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiQ49S6va_fAhVJw4MKHUFTAVUQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.quora.com%2FWhat-are-problems-left-handed-people-experience-in-daily-life-that-right-handed-people-do-not-think-about&psig=AOvVaw0oRHb1TlrPpHWyteIQJldd&ust=1545432105766142) ---
**Author:** ![lisiate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f05b48/32.png) [@lisiate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisiate)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2018, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-for-lefthanders/826351/40 "2018-12-20T23:32:25Z")
Those stupid things suck in general anyhow. That post makes good points about the musical instruments. For now I’ll just resting one of the ukeleles for him. And I’ll have to figure out how to rejig a fishing reel as well. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-for-lefthanders/826351.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-for-lefthanders/826351.md?page=3)