Squidman:

If I start making blades for the buyer to finish, I won't be making any that requires a guard. It is just too much trouble to make and install the guard.

I might modify the above two styles so that they would work without a guard.

The notch is to provide a break-off point for the edge when sharpening the blade. I don't see as you actually need it, but I put it there anyway, unless I forget, as on the upper three knives.

In the images below, the knife with the Wart hog tusk doesn't have a guard. I might make some of that design, but without the bolster.

The one below it, with the stag scales might be another that could be made both attractive and functional without a guard, or maybe with an intregral guard like the one shown on the very bottom.

I still had that knife, until a thieving police officer took it a few months ago.

[Linked Image]