Choosing a knife design

[Aholz]

Guys, I am about to place an order with a Russian blacksmith I personally know for many years. He makes high quality stainless, carbon, D2 and damascuss. He is a hunter himself, so he understands what we need. On six samples the blades are 3.5 - 3.75' long and 1/6" thick. Handles made with a combination of birch bark, venge wood - similar to ebony, mammoth spacers and brass (or alluminum) bolsters and guards. Bolsters have a mammoth insert with scrimshaw. Design #25 has a mammoth or bone inlays on the sides and the rest of the knives have mammoth disks inlayed in the middle of the handle.
Guys, please choose one blade style, one option for blade material and one for bolster/guard metal. So, mark thee boxes all together.
This is just a survey. I need to know your opinion. Thanks!

[NE450No2]

I voted for No7.

The blade is not too wide, yet has enough of a belly to do some skinning. The point is ointed enough for delicate work.

And the handle sesign allows you to hold the knife with your hand closer to the point than the others.

[Corjack]

2, 3, and 24, but am vary partial to 7.

After having D-2 knives, I am pretty much decided that is the best steel. Alluminum or stainless bolsters for me. Brass tarnishes to badly to suit me.

[Vaughan]

#3 or #7 would be my choice and I lean toward #7.

[skeetshot]

I prefer the # 3 design and though there is no choice there, I prefer SS bolsters.

I also prefer SS for the blade material. Yes, D 2 is a great material, but it can also rust, and for a practical knife, SS can be hardened and hold an edge good enough for me.

[Corjack]

D-2 has a high chromium content, just under what is needed to be able to call it stainless, you have to really abuse a D-2 blade to get it to rust.

[Dom]

Nr 3 got my all around vote, has more heft for getting thru larger rib cages, though if only working with smaller animals Nr 7 would be fine also.

Also voted for Damascus and Brass, though not sure if better or worse than D2, Waidmannsheil, Dom.