It reminds me of the "Bean" in Chicago.

There is something not being said here so it's time to get in on this discussion. First MM, I value the testing you did and the results and opinions you shared with the yard, thank you.

Now let me put my two cents in. If you're going to beat on the guard or the handle it does need to be reinforced. I don't beat on res-c handles. Generally speaking a guard is designed to keep your hand from slipping onto the blade and injuring your hand. The res-c Regulator guard does that.

I told a number of Dogs I would post my test results. I'll get that done someday but with 59 pictures I've had problems getting it done. I will tell you this. I soaked the Regulator handle with Deet (Deet eats some handle materials) for two hours before testing. I stabbed the knife into wood, metal and concrete. The guard never failed to protect my hand. I took a one inch dowel rod put the Regulator in a vice and bent the guard flat against the knife. It would not break.

I voted not important....and I'm right.... for the way I'll use the Regulator the guard will do everything I expect it to do. MM is also right....for the way he'll use the Regulator the guard needs to be reinforced.

I wasn't aruging that point Bruce. I was agreeing with it. I used the term beat on the guard instead of batoning. Isn't batoning driving the knife down through a piece of wood with another piece of wood? I also do that but I leave enough of the tip of the knife beyond the wood that I can beat (baton) on the end of the knife and push down on the handle with my hand. Like I said. If you're going to beat (baton) on the handle the guard needs to be reinforced. My point was not all of us will do that.

The guard was also not beat on, it was a result of hitting the tip and the guard dug into the wood.

I had the same problem both with the top and bottom guard. The damage was not bad but it still affects the look.

I would like something to protect the guard but it is not a deal breaker. If it gets to chewed up I am sure I can send it for repair.

I am still waiting for specs and pricing before making any final decisions.

Again it should be stated the damage to the guard was not do to hitting it, but as a result of normal batoning.

it depends what size wood you baton, cuz there can be inside rubbing,

I wouldnt mind seeing a Dog Father style handle on it either. if that was an option instead of a reinforced guard.

Sethrotull, Thank you for the clarification. I didn't know that was how the damage happened <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" />. I need the read the post a little closer next time <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/paperbag.gif" alt="" />. I didn't have that problem with the batoning I did with mine but the handle didn't come in contact with the wood either.

Bruce, we can make some money on this. Let's design a slip-on metal piece that can be put on for batoning and slipped off for everything else. If the price was right I bet everyone who buys a Regulator would buy one. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Here is a picutre of the guard being bent

and here's one of some heat damage....of course that one occured because I set the knife on fire

I'm in for one! The Jackell552 collaboration guard that is.................