[Gamble]

I tend to agree the chequering doesnt look as good as a smooth surface. But I would still do it on a micarta user. Any handle will be easy to hold onto if your fresh, but when you get tired chequering could mean the difference between your holding onto the knife and having it slip into the "endless blue wine". Wrist thongs scare me, because for instance if you slip and fall on deck in the rain your probably going to let go of the knife so you can break your fall, Ide rather have the knife go overboard than into my forearm or through my hand.

True when you drop it by accident having it attached to you makes sense, but if you drop it on purpose chances are you want it to fall at a safe distance.

Remember "Iron" Mike Tysons enduring quote "Everybody has a plan until they get hit."

I dont do much boating but I guess the reason I would choose the 5-6 over the 10 is because you may need to chop something quick, and the feathery 10 would be useless. I cant think of anything the 10 could do that the 5 couldnt.

I carry a 5-6 with stacked leather and a brass crowsbeak, use it all the time, it handles great in any weather condition, and actually gets very grippy when wet, but now that I think about it leather can get slimy/slippery when it gets really really wet. The crows beak makes a nice stop if Im chopping small brush, and has prevented the knife from catching air when Ive chopped a lot and my grip has weakened.

Just imagine a worst case scenario...something like; your foot is trapped in some rigging and the boom is headed for your face. Which knife would you rather have to cut yourself free. Forgive my indulgences, as I said Im not much of a boater so I have no idea if that scenario is even plausible.