The trademark features I'm referring to seem to be rather recent. My sense is that Dan has made a decision to make his new knives (other than obvious one-offs like the Scrap Muk) incorporate thumb ramps and large, squared choils to reflect his Dog Father and SoD designs. I could be wrong about that, but I don't think I am. Otherwise, following the lines of your reasoning, why would he employ those features in a knife the size of the S5? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> Clearly the thumb ramp isn't needed (if it is, why didn't he use it on the S6?) and you've pretty much summarized my feelings on the choil size and placement. So aesthetics seems to be the only logical reason for their existence.

As far as sales and marketing is concerned, normal rules do not apply here. This is Busse Country, and Busse rules apply here. While I believe Dan and Jerry listen to our desires to a certain extent, I suspect they tend to build what pleases them. If what pleases them pleases us, and it usually does, then fine. If not, knives are summarily withdrawn and Dan & Jerry are off to their next design.

PS: When it comes to the S5, color me lemming! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />