The existing handle feels great to me personally and I don't mind beating the s**t out of the "guard". I do try to avoid it when I can and more often than not I'll baton with a longer knife but I wouldn't be afraid to kill the handle that is on the TT Reg.
It doesn't take too much to yank the old grip off and press another on. I'm sure Dan has extras somewhere.

Oh, I love the feeling of the existing handle, but I have less confidence in a Res-C guard than a steel one.

Another option is to leave the handle off and wrap the tang with some 550 cord. Of course you'd have to drill another hole. Ugly but functional. Just a thought.

I know it wasn't mentioned but maybe Dan lengthened the blade, this would solve some guard problems.

No thanks. I've already had waaay too much and I made the mistake of not eating anything yet. Just noticed my hands are trembling. Could just be the anticipation, but I doubt it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

(quote SP) I think we should take the Regulator for what it is, a fighting knife that happens to perform well as a camp knife. Just my 2 cents.( quote SP)

This actually a VERY good statement Spider <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />. I can also see MMs point and all others including Bruce <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />. Will be interesting to see what Mods you guys make on both knives. Will also be VERY cool to hold one of the newbies ( needs a name <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crossfingers.gif" alt="" /> !!) One thing is for sure- I don't think you will be seeing many TT editions on the exchange <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />. Not to say the older ones are better- newer ones are just different and therefore make the limited way more desired <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />. Both for user and queens. Thanks <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Can someone please explain how batoning damaged the guard?

Thank you.

-Stan

In my case, a good whack on the tip when splitting a log pivoted the knife sharply downward, driving the guard into the log I was splitting. If there was metal in front of the guard, like on the SOD, to keep the guard from mashing into the log, there would have been no damage.

If you are careful about it, you can probably prevent the guard from ever rubbing against or hitting the wood you are working with. But I don't buy Scrap Yard knives to be careful with them. If I wanted to be careful, I can baton with a $25 mora. I buy SY blades exactly because I don't have to baby them.

Thank you Sir!

Not to get off topic but I assume this is one of the functions of the thumb ramp on the SOD?

-Stan

If the guard comes in contact with whatever you're batoning, and you continue to baton. I can see how it could chew up the guard. It can get tiring if you do a lot of batoning, and after a while you might get a little careless.