Hi Jim,

The 2 similar Mora knives I have are gaurd-less. I once put my thumb on top of the blade thinking it was the back of the knife, no bad cut but sure got my attention. Three weeks ago I used both a standard "no-gaurd" Mora and a Mora Clipper to skin and butcher a deer. Both felt good in the hand but the standard wooden handle got a little slippery and I kept the thought that it was gaurd-less in the back of my mind.

I would next try one with a gaurd, I could always shortening it if I did not like the size or remove it all together if I wanted.

The carbon Mora I have gets sharp, but the laminated one gets really sharp! I do not know if you can get a laminated Mora with a handgaurd?

Later, Mike