To me, the HCLE and the MPLE are virtually interchangeable. I prefer the HCLE for purely aesthetic reasons. But which one I decide to buy (if either) will depend on how much the MPLE costs. If the difference in price between the HCLE and the MPLE is $20.00 or less, I'd take the HCLE. If the difference in price between them is greater than $20.00, however, I'd take the MPLE. Or to put it another way, I wouldn't be willing to pay more than a $20.00 markup for G-10 handles.

Problem is, unless the knife is a steal or has a maker's mark I want to acquire, I don't normally buy fixed blade knives with blade lengths less than 4". That's folder territory AFAIC. I already own a knife with a Swamp Rat logo and the HCLE at nearly $155.00 shipped doesn't qualify as a steal in my estimation. So under any circumstances, the HCLE is out for me. Whether the same is true of the MPLE depends on what Dan decides to sell it for. But just so I don't get accused of vacillating after Dan announces the price, I won't pay more for it than I would for a folder. And my folder spending limit is $100.00.