I have very little experience with any of the mentioned uses,but I'll give my thoughts.Well most of the activities described would definetly benefit from the size being restricted.I'm going to take a guess that blade length should be 5 to 5 1/2 inches.Blade steel,I would like the BG-42 over ats-34,temper not to brittle.This steel should have better corrosion resistance as opposed to ats-34 for rec diving and such?Heck talonite sounds kinda tasty.Well anyway,lets see tip,well I could see the advantage for a blunt/screwdriver type tip especially for diving,but all around utility for all the activities mention,still lean me towards a conventional tip,maybe a spearpoint style,tanto is always a possiblity,strong point,I don't get into that style too much though.I kinda like how the Busse blades are designed,very thick spine all the way to the tip,makes the blade like a sharpened pry bar all the way to the tip,also good for chopping.THat type blade design is very good,although,I have no idea what the technical blade design name is,thats why I mentioned Busse knives.Handle material,well I don't care for cord wrapped,especially if getting wet is a regular activity.Also I would think harder to keep clean.G-10 is always a good handle,I've always liked micarta though and I think since it would be for diving,I would think something like Micarta slabs with some sort of attachment by hex bolts,something that could be taken off and kept cleaned after dives/rafting etc..PLus I'm thinkin all these activities could get a little ruff,maybe the handles would take a beating,would make life easier to have handle scales easily replaceble by a knifenut,instead of using an epoxy.Plus somoen could spiffy up their blade if they get tired of the same old look,offer replaceble handles in different color micarta.Today,I feel like having blue handles,maybe one day I need tactical and I'll throw on black handles.I was thinking textured grippy kind of handle texture might be a good idea,maybe a quilted micarta?expecially under wet conditions,or while rock climbing,wouldn't want your favorite knife slipping out of your sweaty hands and dropping 200 feet??WEll I really don't know anything,but heres something to think about when your designing your ne w knife,and good luck with your new project.
[This message has been edited by TOMBSTONE (edited 05-25-2001).]
[This message has been edited by TOMBSTONE (edited 05-25-2001).]
