I want my knife to be useful as a utility knife, since that's how I'll use it most often. I have extensive training in Filipino MA so that got me into a lot of knife self defense study. So....as a utility/self defense knife my choice is also an Emerson, Journeyman (
http://emersonknives.com/shop/knives/li ... yman-sf-2/). Since it doubles as a utility I don't want mine serrated.
I love Emerson's Wave cut for deploying. Deploying the knife blade is so fast it might as well be spring loaded.
There's a number of knives pictured above me I would never buy for self defense. They don't have anything hinting of a hilt. There's a reason hilts are between the blade and the grip. It's to keep your hand from slipping forward and cutting your fingers on the blade....should you ever needed to stab someone. It happens. You hit a bone or something hard and your fingers can slide right up onto the blade. Short of a hilt I want a folder that has a deep grip for my forefinger. It's a compromise. Likewise I want the handle to have a lot of grip so no slick-metal grip/handle for me.
edit:
Here's how the Wave works:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AABt6c_MhfI
What I don't like about Emersons is the tinny screws that hold on the clip. If you carry it regularly you will ware out the screws and they'll break in half. I ordered the screws online from Amazon. I got 100 for $4. "Steel Pan Head Machine Screw, Black Oxide Finish, Meets ASME B18.6.3, #1 Phillips Drive, #2-56 Thread Size, 1/4" Length, Fully Threaded, Import (Pack of 100)"