I think this is a pretty nice option.

Now those who don't want the top quillion can have one. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

I have the TT and have been considering cutting the top guard off mine. For my uses, I prefer without the top quillion.

For those of you who have not cut on or sanded Res-C (Raisin-Cain or others), it is actually pretty forgiving to work with and easy to NOT mess up. When sanding wood or metal, you have to contend with scratch marks. With Res-C, sandpaper tends to just roll of little bits of Res-C dust. It is hard to explain, other than to just say Res-C is forgiving to sand on and easy to NOT mess up.

I LOVE the regulators handle, except, I am one who doesn't care for the top quillion. For me, it doesn't provide anything (for my uses) and does get in my way for the ways I hold my knife and many of my other uses.

Outside of the top quillion, I LOVE the Regulators handle. There is PLENTY of room to move the hand around in multiple positions - slightly choke up or slightly choke back and ALL positions are comfortable and secure in the hand.
I just don't personally have any practical justification for a top quillion.

For my knives, I like the versatility of multiple hand holds for various uses and some uses OFTEN include having my thumb on the spine. But, the top quillion prevents this.

If chopping, the top quillion is irrelevant to me. It is not in the way, nor does it help - for me. ************* BUT, the Regulator Handle REALLY is awesome - ESPECIALLY for chopping. The size, shape, fit and feel is VERY nice. And in my opinion, the handle is VERY versatile - without the top quillion.

If stabbing, it is probably a good thing to have the top quillion since it would help prevent your hand from sliding forward. But, I never really stab stuff or at least VERY rarely might I just lightly "poke" something. If for some reason I felt I would need to stab something hard, I would grip hard, try to make sure my hands are not slippery and hope the lower guard is sufficient. But, I don't need (or want) a top quillion for my uses.

If someone had any thoughts they might pretend to be Steven Segal and have a mono y mono knife dual, a top quillion is arguably a good thing. Although, if "Theoretically" hoping to have a top quillion to protect your hand in THAT type of a knife fight, Res-C isn't exactly my first choice to use to protect my hand from another knife. Res-C can be cut. A metal guard would be better - along with probably a blade catch. But, NONE of that is of interest to me.
I know Busse is "Combat". But, I am not combat. All I can do is consider my needs and uses.
Quite honestly, I feel that a lot of combat people (that I know) appreciate that a good knife is really more of a WORK tool for chore and task use and therefore a good stout utility design or camp use design works better for combat uses and needs than any blade that "compromises" work/utility function for hopes of being too much a fighter. Tacticool designs are fun for MANY people. But, even Rambo finally dropped the saw teeth to go with a more practical - although primarily large chopper design.

Personally, I have no interest in knife dualing. Guns became popular for good reason. Nobody wins in a knife fight. I have plenty of other uses and justifications for knives - just not fighting. - Maybe if in a National Park and attacked by a lion or small bear (????) ... Not any more, LUCKILY, they just passed a new law allowing for gun carry in National Parks again finally!!!! - But, with a bunch of loop-holes. So, there goes that idea. If concerned about lions and bears, I will take a gun over a knife.
I just have to view my "Priorities" of my intended and practical uses of my knives. And my uses for my knives are not benifited by a top quillion and for my uses, a top quillion does hinder my hand holds and therefore my uses. That is just my opinion.

Some fighters are very cool looking and nice for collecting, but this is a Scrap Yard knife - To me, especially as a CG, it has to be good as a "USER". Aesthetics are always nice, but I prioritize function for knives I intend to use.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I don't see CG blades or Res-C handles as so great for "collectibles". But, while I prefer satin for my uses, I can and do appreciate why "others" do like CG coatings. And Res-C is just great for actual use - even if not real pretty either.

With all that in mind, personally, for my uses, I look forward to future releases with the new Regulator handle (especially without the top quillion).

But, for my uses, I would also prefer and look forward to other future blade designs without such a deep clip in the blade. I actually "prefer" no clip. I don't need so much point and for my uses, I would prefer a blade with more mass towards the tip.... like the Chopweiler. This 7.5" blade length (both Regulator and chopweiler) is a VERY good length for a good camp use knife that can also be more versatile and easy to carry than a big chopper.
But, that is a preference, for function and utility, the Regulators blade is still very good and very versatile. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

The Chopweiler's blade is "actually" about 1/2" - 3/4" longer than it's Res-C counterparts because the micarta extends onto the tang about 1/2" - 3/4" further from the grip position. But, we typically measure from the edge of the handle material not the grip position. So, with Res-C attached, the Chopweiler blade would be about 8.0" - 8.25" or so.

I would LOVE to see the Chopweiler's blade on this new Regulator handle!!!!!

Or a slightly more dropped point - slightly pointier version of the Chopweiler's blade (like the SJTAC or S5's blade shape, but BIGGER!!!) on this handle - and without the top quillion.

I would also prefer a VERY SMALL (close to 1/4" from Res-C to choil) section of steel at the back portion of the choil (round choil) and in front of the lower Res-C guard.

..... I am struggling with the desire to draw a concept pic of old concept Scrapweiler blade with SMALL choil guard and single quillion version of Regulator handle. But, I am dreaming of it... in satin.

.