"Whatever you call the bladeshape on the Calypso Jr., Manix, etc. I call that a modified wharncliffe, but I guess Spyderco calls it a leaf. The general characteristics: very sharp point, mostly-straight edge."
That is what I find most usefull as well. I liked the blade of the Benchmade 921 Switchback a lot. It is a Wharncliff with a little bit of a upsweep. That is what I like or even as much upsweep as the Para but no more. I like my blades to be longer than they are wide and have a pointy tip.
Some blades I like:
BM 921 and 856.
Spyderco, Centofante II, R-2, Calypso Jr. and large Calypso, Para, Military, Delica, Police.
I like sheepfoot blades and hawkbills but they are not always the most useful. I had to cut some hole in a plastic bucket with my Spyderco Rescue and it was harder than it would have been than if I had my BM 921 or Para or Police. Because you need to stab into the lid and then make your cut, the point is very helpfull.
I don't hunt so I have no use for a skinning type blade with a lot of upsweep. If I had to skin something, I would know I was hunting and I would bring along my skinning knife. Hunting is a planned activity so there is no need to have that type of blade just in case. I am never going to be caught off gaurd and be stuck in a situation where I may need to skin a rabbit.
