Thanks for all the great comments, guys. "Crazy" is really too mild a term to describe the hunt...the hunters...etc.
The finger ring is for extraction (as a backup). The handle is long enough to fit your hand behind it and use the back of the ring like a guard..and still have a little extra room in front of the "bell" - which will be used as the primary extraction method.
(see attached pics below - three grip positions)
That said, I don't think using the ring would be a problem. If you have the knife in the hog long enough for it to flip around enough to break your finger...then you went in too soon...didn't have the dogs set up right...and stayed in too long. A quick in-out is enough. Sure, accidents can happen. You can also shoot a hole in your foot drawing a pistol from its holster.
Unlike the bayonets, survival knives, Cold Steel pig knife, etc. used for hog-hunting (which all do get the job done)....this one is Not a "sharpened prybar". Despite being 15 inches long and made from 1/4" barstock...it's only 15 ounces...and balances at the ring hole. A lot of thought went into the design. I'm not saying it's the "perfect hog knife"...but it will definitely get the job done.
Besides....there's only one way to find out....
.....hence, the Knifemakers' Wild Boar Hunt.
Zero_DgZ - a few of us will have cameras and the hunt will be written up in American Handgunner's Annual as well. Hopefully someone will bring along a video camera too...excellent suggestion.
Thanks to everyone for some great discussion. All opinions welcome!
p.s. I do plan on having kevlar snake gaiters and/or kevlar brush chaps on. And I'm sure at least one of us will be carrying a pistol should things go south.