No problem njr :thumbup:
Let me preface the following with a disclaimer. I have no significant martial arts or knife combat training or experience. These are my opinions based on personal experimentation and observed techniques which I find sensible and practical. So as is often the case with discussing these things over the net, take my words with a grain of salt
I look at my knife as more tool than weapon, and in my opinion, it reflects that. With a casual glance, it looks more like a "normal" knife than something like the Spyderco P'kal, which, again, in my opinion, invites closer inspection with its unconventional appearance. The overall image of my BT knife is more easily identified with, say, a paring knife. One doesn't even know the swedge is sharpened until one examines it closely or feels the edge. Don't get me wrong, I think the P'kal is a great knife, and seems to be a fantastic option for those who want a folder which is purposely designed for pikal or who live in an area where carrying a fixed blade P'kal would be problematic. I'd love to pick up one myself one day. And I think a cut down version wouldn't be a bad idea at all.
On a side note, I have handled one, and if you haven't, be forewarned that it'll take a bit of practice to draw and roll the handle into a secure grip quickly, let alone under pressure. Deploying a fixed blade instead of a folder eliminates one more fine/complex motor skill-dependent step to deal with under stress. If positioned correctly, I can draw and grip my fixed blade more quickly and securely than I can with a folder. While the P'kal may approach the fixed blade in the speed of draw vs. something like a Miliary, Paramilitary, Delica, or Mini-grip (folders I've EDC'ed and practiced deploying in the past), it still suffers from the need to reposition the knife slightly from the draw grip into a secure grip. More risk of fumbling under stress... and perhaps a sliver of time which could make a difference. I also found the P'kal awkward to handle in grips I'd typically use in normal utility cutting, but my mileage may vary from others who've become accustomed to the knife and are extensive users.
As for the carrying, coming from a strictly "use as weapon" point of view, I'd expect carrying the P'kal would allow for quicker deployment than having to fish out a fixed blade pikal style knife from out of your front pocket (when looking at the two options you're considering). If I thought the probability of using my knife in pikal was high enough to warrant optimizing deployment, I'd put it on a teklok and carry it on my belt just weak-side of centerline canted for a strong draw into hammer-grip-edge-in (horizontal to blend with belt works well enough too and doesn't draw as much attention as the ideal canted position). For reverse-grip-edge-in, I'd wear it on my belt at 3 or 4oclock with handle canted forward and up. I could still draw into reverse-grip-edge-in with the other position near centerline, if needed, but it's more awkward. Both placements are from the Shivworks school of thought.
As it is, I think my chances of having to use my knife in that way is slim, so I carry it in a less attention-drawing (albeit less convenient) way in my rear right pocket. The handle sticks out of my pocket enough that I consider it unconcealed (CA state law for fixed blades, 3" blade is to satisfy municipal codes beyond a doubt in my area). Carrying it completely unconcealed (not covered by a shirt) on the front of my belt just makes me more conscious of the potential attention it might draw, regardless of legality. Not to mention having it out there in plain sight seems like a tactical disadvantage. So having it in my rear pocket seems like a decent compromise and has been working out well for me so far. The lanyard is only to prevent the off-chance of the knife falling out of the pocket, and a biner clipped to a rear belt loop with a paracord braid dropping into the rear pocket is pretty unnoticeable, at least where I am. There is an added benefit of the lanyard clipped to the belt loop; it allows for a quick "yank out of pocket" draw if ever needed. :thumbup:
Anyway, I've been rambling and I'm not quite sure if I've actually helped you any, so I'll stop now
