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 If not, knives are summarily withdrawn and Dan & Jerry are off to their next design.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="" />

Guys, I gotta be honest, I see nothing wrong with the design of this blade.

Obviously, Dan thought it out, and explained his reasons why he shaped it the way he did (He didn't need to, but it was nice of him to do so), and I honestly am happy with the look and potential feel of the S5 of my hands. If you don't like it, then don't buy it.

royalm, how would you go about doing that mod? If it was built in micarta, then you could drill out the pins and do that, but not sure how you are going to bring the finger guard back with the res-c. Maybe cutting the tang shorter and res-c (for finger guard) and glue it all back together? It does look good though.

Try this:

http://www.oldjimbo.com/survival/racquette/nessmukbydale.html

I guess one of the Nessmuk's primary claims to fame is food prep . . . although in thinking about the Scrap Muk, I can't figure out why you'd want to use a 3/16" thick knife for that purpose! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

WOW! You guys are killing me!

Here's a pic of a Bog Dog blade on top of the Scrapper 5 blade. You are literally giving up less than 1/8 of an inch in cutting edge!

So, what's the advantage? You benefit by gaining valuable width at the ricasso where the grind plunge falls. The grind plunge area is the most susceptible to failure during heavy abuse due to the stress risers introduced by the plunges on each side of the blade. The Scrap Yard "squared" choil greatly improves the durability of the blade against catastrophic failure while providing the user with the ability to choke up on the blade for close-up work.

The blade on the Scrapper 5 is .260" wider than the Bog Dog while the plunge line/ricasso width (thumb ramp not included) is .180" wider!

Poor old Bog Dog NEVER had a chance! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Dan