Two Hinderer XM18 3.5 knives, no choil slicer first impressions

The Hinderer 18 3.5 usually has a large finger choil, offering a position to choke up on the blade. This version has no finger choil (though it does have a small sharpening coil). Is it still comfortable in hand? Is it worth the steep price tag? What do the different blade finishes look like? How does it compare to other pocketknives? I take a first look and offer my initial impressions.