Anyone Else Miss Guards On Guards?

[insanelupus]

Kind of silly, I suppose, but as I look over new fixed blade knife designs and "wonder" steels, I wonder why so few have guards between the handle and the blade? I realize the general purpose fixed blade is surpassed in demand to the special purpose. I also realize guards are more useful for thrusting designs than say skinning. Of course, guards add to the manufacturing processes in time and material.

But the various finger notches, dips, divots, etc, are still surpassed, in my opinion, by a well designed guard.

Just curious how much in the minority I am here.

 

[UnckleBob]

Whenever I buy a knife for hunting, I make sure It prevents slippage of my hand toward the blade. I don't care how they do it.

 

[Mojave]

The one in the middle is licensed Bob Loveless knife made in Japan. Other than the 2nd one from the left they are all Loveless designed knives.