Yeah I read or heard somewhere that 99.9% of "Knife Fights" are assassinations. In the sense of an attack on someone unarmed and unaware.
But on the other hand, why not have it just incase? I wasn't basing my suggestions on "The Hunted" more along the lines of Bowie Knifes and Jim Bowie. But, I agree with what you are saying. But there also are occasions, Drunken Brawl Outside a Bar where someone comes slashing at you where having a reinforced guard wouldn't be a bad thing. Unlikely as it is.
Vendetta13,
My apologies if I came on a bit too strong in my rant. It was not my intent to do so.
The biggest thing to remember with knife engagements outside of the combat zone is unequal initiative (i.e. you are ambushed) and weapons access (can you effectively draw and employ your knife during the ambush).
Based upon those two criteria, training time required to become proficient, training time required to stay proficient, the likelihood of a knife fight happening at all, and the likelihood of bad guys blade precisely impacting your reinforced guard, I would say the feature is not needed.
When I think "knife fight" here is what comes to mind:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWQfgwuOAxo-Stan
