My go to knife is a 4" drop point with a full tang. It has a full tang and a good bolster to protect my fingers from slipping. I also prefer to have a lanyard hole for when I am skinning a larger animal. The hollow grind is great for reducing weight and blood run off, but it is not as strong as the traditional wedge or angle grind.
I have several smaller KBARs, and they do a great job. They hold a good edge and are fairly easy to sharpen. The blades are a little to thin for being a good survival knife. I also have a 6-7" Bowie that I love, but the blade is just too long to be great for all around use.
When you begin building these knives, please post some pics, as I might be interested in one.