A guardless knife is easier to choke up on for finer work.
The retaining sheath can be deeper for greater security in traditional materials.Many cuts can be done with a drawstroke and push cuts done two handed with one pushing against the but, as traditional done in the Saami Puukka.
That said, a dedicated SURVIVAL knife should have a lower guard.
Even the chance injury by a lifetime user can happen in a stress situation of injury, exposure to the elements, hunger, fatique or fear.
Pack a primary rough duty survival blade like a Fallkniven F1
( my personal choice.)
Once you have a fire going, that can of beans opened when you couldn't find the P 38 and a lean to set up the mora can come out to carve wooden spoons.