I can't really operate a flipper or a thumbstud well with my left hand so I carry an OTF knife in my left coat pocket. Its not expensive, its the Schrade Viper 3. My options were also limited because I live in Illinois, I can only have a spring assisted knife. That means I cannot posses a knife that is deployed by use of a switch, the knife has to be deployed by manually moving the blade. So anyway the Schrade fit the bill for me.
I have to be very mindful of either carrying it in such a way that no debris can get into it or keeping it in a pocket with nothing else in it.
The first time it was made inoperable, a dime found its way into the opening. The second time it was made inoperable, a small piece of plastic found its way into the innards of the knife.
I was able to fish the dime out without dissembling the knife but the second time I had to disassemble the knife. I thought at first that the spring was wearing down or that the knife just needed a cleaning. The blade would deploy but not with enough force to lock. When I took the knife apart I found the small piece of plastic, causing just enough friction to slow the blade down and keep it from locking.
Its an additional self defense weapon for me. If for some reason I can't deploy my firearm and I can't use my right hand period, I have something I can bring into play with my left hand.