My "negative #3" attribute has been disproved. I tried, and was unable to cut myself. The choil does a good job of stopping forward movement. I wouldn't want to digging through concrete with wet hands, but that's not what this one is for.

That's really good info. I won't be trying that.

The sheaths would roll the dip off when I pushed the knife in. I was disappointed.

I think the Vex was a very good pick up. I think it'll make a nice crafter. I'm actually excited about getting it dirty.

I think a skeleton with "checkering" like on the front of a 1911 frontstrap would be neat. It could be machined (doesn't have to be hand checkered). 20LPI would be good.

If I were to make any changes to the Vex I would:

1) Make the handle/choil transition less abrupt.
2) Make the blade about 1/8" taller, so that the finger sets deeper inside the choil. Safer.
3) Make the blade 1/8" thick.
4) Skeletonize the tang.

I'm looking forward to seeing your evaluation results.

Gary, if you feel the Vex is too heavy then you will feel the same way about the SAR5. That one definitely benefited from being skeletonized.

Thanks Rich. I can't put this thing down! It's growing on me.

Adam,
The SAR wasn't delivered today, but hopefully tomorrow. I might be complaining too much about the Vex weight. I keep holding it, and really am starting to connect with this one.

It's a refreshing design. I'm going to work through some exercises with it to determine how it performs.

Gary, how does the Leaner meaner work for an all round "Bushcrafter" type of knife?

Randy,
I prefer a small / light knife for detail tasks. The LM line has a small blade that's pretty thin, but the handle is large enough to be functional.

Man, there's a SAR5 on the ex that's calling my name but I can't swing it right now. ARRRRGGGHHH!