Being a dealer who has carried a fairly substantial inventory of left hand models, I would say, based on sales, don't make any more left hand models. Either that or offer them on a special order only basis a'la the old C15. This, of course, pertains to the locking liner types as most of the lockbacks can be made totally ambidextrous rather easily.
Spark's idea of a "modular" system has merit as many people like the idea of having a choice in their purchasing.
Left hand models just don't sell and, since we are in business to make a living, it doesn't make sense to stock up on inventory that doesn't move.
I have carried Left hand Police models (when they were available), and it took forever to sell them. I have left hand Benchmades in several models (including Emersons) in stock for over a year and they still don't move. (There is a reason that BM has quit making left hand knives....nobody buys them.) As far as I know, I am the only Chris Reeve dealer that carries a ready supply of left hand Sebenzas in stock and, although sales there are a little better, they still aren't spectacular. I run out of right hand models long before the leftys are gone.
I have seen many posts on this and other forums blasting manufacturers and dealers for ignoring the "vast left hand market" out there and, some, flat out accusing us of discrimination.
I have had people stand in front of my displays in the store and at shows lamenting the fact that "nobody thinks of us left handers". When I show them the several different models of left hand knives that I have in stock, right in front of them, they usually say, "well how about that" and move on. Sometimes I think the fact that there is no left hand model available provides a convenient excuse to put off buying.
Sorry right-brains, I just can't support increasing the left hand load until you folks start helping to lighten the one we already have a bit. We're not a public service here. There has to be an economic reason to stock these things and, so far, it isn't there.
All that being said, though, Sal If you have to bring out some lefthand models, I would recommend the Military and the Starmate. Those seem to get the the most comments about the lack of lefthand models. The Wegners come in a close second although I would caution against the small one. They don't sell very well in the current configuration and I doubt that they would do any better in left hand.
Good luck.
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Dennis Wright
("Have a knife day!")
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