Kristi, thanks for the chance to give you guys some feedback. The way the company interacts with various internet forums is something I've always liked about Spyderco (I'm on British Blades as well, Spyderco started some interesting debates there).
There are lots of active and retired LEOs and military guys on this board who have real world experience. I'm not one of them. I'm just a knife collector who enjoys training with knives mostly as a way to keep the beer belly within reasonble dimensions. So take my opinion with a grain of salt.
I own Al Mar's version of this design (they call it "Warrior" as well) and the older Rekat Hobbit Warrior. I've used them both in my training sessions and run some very informal tests with them (I warned you, I'm just an armchair commando!). The design is certainly very well though out and it lends itself to multiple techniques, it's easy to "flow" from one cut to the other and the curved blade makes the back edge excelent for traction cuts (like with a kerambit). My only complaint is that the guard's quillons are too large and sometimes snag on clothing, but not too hard or too often.
Based on my limited experience with the Al Mar and Rekat, and just from looking at the Spyderco Warrior's pictures, this is what I like and dislike:
-It would be nice to have a sharpened swedge at the tip, like the one found on the Al Mar Warrior. It's great for snap cuts and for traction techniques.
-Your handle seems more comfortable than the ones on the Al Mar and Rekat. They were too cylindrical. It will probably make the knife more usable as a utility blade, something most military users will probably appreciate.
-H1 is a very practical steel. I've got a couple of Atlantic and Pacific Salts and I'm pleased with them. I don't agree about it performing as well as VG-10, but that's my personal opinion and you probably have a bit more experience with steel than me.
It's a very user friendly steel with zero mantenaince.
-I like the leather sheath that came with my Al Mar Warrior. But I admit that it isn't the most practical choice for a modern combat knife. Your choice seems very good, it would be nice to have a smaller kydex sheath. Although there are lots of sheath makers to order one from, and they usually aren't pricey.
-Spyderedge serrations should be a lot better than the ones on my knives.
-I also like the protruding tang on the Spyderco better than the huge nut my Al Mar has for a pommel.
-I'd prefer the sharper point (with a double edge).
Here's a pic of three Al Mar Warrior knives:
Spyderco Warrior
Linear Mode
