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"Leftys are only 2% of the folder-buying population"

Caffeinepirate

Caffeinepirate

Joined
Jan 29, 2009
Messages
326
Howdy! About a year ago, I asked a rather well-known knife designer if he was going to make lefty version of a knife I liked. He said he wouldn't because "Leftys are only 2% of the folder-buying population."

Is that true? If so, why don't leftys buy closer to 10% of folders, since leftys are 10% of the population?

I was hoping any knife-makers who had actual data could verify or dispute this. Thanks :)

P.S. I completely understand why it's often not financially smart to make a lefty version that may not sell to such a small population, I'm just thrown off by the 2% number.
 
Caffeinepirate said:
Is that true? If so, why don't leftys buy closer to 10% of folders, since leftys are 10% of the population?
Click to expand...
There was an old maxim I read some where on "How To Be A Highly Successful Person" and it said : Never do anything you can get someone else to do for you .
With that in mind I would have to say left handed people are just better at getting someone else to cut stuff for them . (?)
:)

One thing I was going to mention that is just barely on topic is :
Recently , last couple years , Case Knives made some slip joints with S35VN alloy blades and they cut the nail nicks ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE BLADES so they seem to me to be ambidextrous .
Cool knives in any case ; Jigged Black Buffalo Horn , Mini Trapper and their big Back Pocket knife .

EDIT : to change "bone" to "horn".
 
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I dont know the studies or how the percentages were determined, but.....

I'd assume a certain segment of mainly south paws have some partial ambi ability for certain tasks. knife using being one of them. so assuming the percentages are correct... maybe some of the other 8% use their right hand more for knife use.

on that note, not all the population uses or carries folders and sheaths where it matters much more on handedness. in that regard, only a certain amount of folders with certain locks and not switchable pocket clips matter. so there are many either hand folders and locks/swappable pocket clips out there. where handedness only seems to matter is on frame, liner, compression and such one-handed primary folder locks. also fixed blade sheaths.
 
What's the percentage of Billionaires on the planet?

Probably pretty low ....

I've heard, to REALLY make the money....
You Should cater to the very upper wealthy elite.
Sell to them, it's easier.

Selling to the middle-class is hard. Gotta sell Alot

Selling to the poor....that's even Worse. Everything has to be 99¢ and ya gotta sell a bunch..... Too much effort.


But selling to the 1%.....that's where it's At.

So, yeah ....what's the good advice?
 
Unless I got to sign a receipt how does anyone I buy anything from know I’m left handed?

What’s the data on holsters? That would seem like a truer number.
 
Caffeinepirate said:
Howdy! About a year ago, I asked a rather well-known knife designer if he was going to make lefty version of a knife I liked. He said he wouldn't because "Leftys are only 2% of the folder-buying population."

Is that true? If so, why don't leftys buy closer to 10% of folders, since leftys are 10% of the population?

I was hoping any knife-makers who had actual data could verify or dispute this. Thanks :)

P.S. I completely understand why it's often not financially smart to make a lefty version that may not sell to such a small population, I'm just thrown off by the 2% number.
Click to expand...
Even if lefties make up 10% of the population, not everyone of that 10% collects knives lol. I can easily believe that 2% figure. Just a crappy part of the hobby.
 
Or, there's so few lefty models available, we can't buy more than 2%. For me personally, I love lefty models, and as a southpaw, I have more CRK in my collection than anything else because of this. But when we're lucky to get a basic version of a PM2 in lefty, or nothing at all, its not much of a chance to move the needle
 
I’m a lefty, I never buy righty anything.
Edit - well . . . technically slip joints are right handed, but no modern folders.
 
I'm a lefty and can use a right handed frame lock just fine. The issue is left pocket carry, as a knife without a swappable or lefty clip will orient the blade out instead of toward the seam. I trust certain high end folders with great detents (Koenig Arius, Arno Bernard iMamba, Grimsmo Norseman) to not open, but I'd never carry something like a Hinderer that way, as it's far too easy for those to open in the pocket in a dangerous orientation. So I prefer full lefty, will accept swappable clips (like many ZTs) and I'm incredibly selective about full righty models.
 
But Where do lefties carry?

I'm right handed, but mostly carry at 11 O'Clock (left side)

So, do some lefties carry at 2?
 
I wrote a book that comes in 2 versions: left- and right-hand. The book covers knife sharpening and specialized knife usage.

With over a decade of sales history, I sold roughly 10% left-hand books.

Interestingly, some people who write w/ left hand use knife better with right (fine motor skills!), so I had them purchase R-hand book.

Was it cost effective? Probably not. I had to illustrate and rewrite text for 222 pages to teach left-hand use. However, I dominate that space and probably get sales I wouldn’t have gotten.
 
Caffeinepirate said:
Howdy! About a year ago, I asked a rather well-known knife designer if he was going to make lefty version of a knife I liked. He said he wouldn't because "Leftys are only 2% of the folder-buying population."

Is that true? If so, why don't leftys buy closer to 10% of folders, since leftys are 10% of the population?

I was hoping any knife-makers who had actual data could verify or dispute this. Thanks :)

P.S. I completely understand why it's often not financially smart to make a lefty version that may not sell to such a small population, I'm just thrown off by the 2% number.
Click to expand...
IDK about percentages , but when GSM bought Cold Steel they stopped including the lefty clip , always provided previously on the ambidextrous models .

Lefties must have raised a ruckus , because the lefty clips came back again , so far as I know .

Those clips can't cost very much . So , pretty stupid to alienate your customer base for that level of savings , IMO .
 
Caffeinepirate said:
Is that true? If so, why don't leftys buy closer to 10% of folders, since leftys are 10% of the population?
Click to expand...
As a lifelong lefty I have just learned to use my right hand for many things knives included. I suspect that is a large reason. Maybe not anymore but as a kid growing up in the 90's I distinctly remember them basically telling me to use my right hand for certain things even writing for a period.
 
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