I really don't care for any circular saw that has the blade on the left hand side, I do allot of ripping with a circular saw, and use my left had index finger & thumb tight against the plate in order to quickly rip a straight line, I have a left hand porter cable saw I use to back cut one side of my step risers skirt boards,, I once while not thinking grabbed it up to use to rip a board not thinking about which side the blade was on, As I get the saw started I always watch the blade to the line for a few inches and let-er-rip, I'd ripped about 3 ft of an 8 ft. 2x4, when I looked down and realized my fingers was less than 1" from the blade
The thought of it scared me sick,
I been using circular saws since I was 12 years old, thats over 43 years, in fact beside cross cutting a board, I've learn to use a circular saw to cut 5" crown-molding when I was a siding/cornice man, I've handled saws while cutting in every position imaginable, cutting rafter tails while 40 ft on scaffold holding it out and above my head (one handed) Cutting in tight crawl spaces, But never have I let a blade come that close to any part of my body, I rarely use that left handed saw, Not that there is anything wrong with using one if using it correctly, It's just that the habit I developed of using a saw to rip with,
a left hand circular saw could well be a hazard to me,