The Freek: I'm underwhelmed. But why?

The Benchmade Freek has many of the qualities I want to see in a hard-use folder for outdoor adventures or EDC. It has an efficient high flat grind, a versatile drop point shape, hard and tough M4 steel, sculpted G10 handle scales and of course Benchmade's familiar Axis lock. And yet, for some reason I don't feel enthusiastic about it. I have a few genuine gripes, including a pocket clip that creates a hot spot in my palm, partial (rather than full) steel liners, and a handle that is not as grippy as it looks. Or maybe I just can't help comparing it to similar designs that I like better.