[Mr. X]

Cobalt steel is tough. Having broken 4 or 5 regular drill bits drilling stainless steel flounder spoons I discovered cobalt steel drill tips: stronger, faster, better, longer lasting. Don't know what its like for knives though (but sounds like irtrogdor does).

Re. dagger blade, I would definitely go for a flat, slimmer blade - like your Omer - at least near the top section. I have a spearo knife with a wider blade & a diamond-shaped cross-section. I reckon it takes a little to much pressure to insert it - which risks it skating off (once in, of course, it does more damage). The diamond cross-section makes it diffult to sharpen.

My preference would be for a plain, flat, steel handle that is part of the same piece of metal as the blade - simple, strong, effective, flat, streamline, unobtrusive (although harder to remove from the scabard perhaps and less comfortable in the hand, esp. if you don't wear gloves). Omer Mini Laser size & shape blade (most would probably prefer the regular Laser size, or bigger, I suspect).

I agree that a serrated edge it probably difficult to make & sharpen but I reckon it is essential (or desirable) if you only carry one knife. Needle files or a chainsaw sharpener might be the way to make/sharpen them.