I have owned both versions of the Trident. I'm a scout pilot who needs gear that will work in combat so that's how I evaluate equipment.
Pros:
Lightweight
good feel in hand
beefy blade
cord cutter
Assisted Open
looks mean
Cons:
the lateral play in the blade
The knife is good for light duty, but I wouldn't feel comfortable ditching my fixed blade and only carrying the Trident. This knife would get 5 stars if the blade was more secure like my CRKT M-16 SF, but that knife doesn't have assisted opening. I do get a lot of complements on the look of the Trident.
Good Applications for this knife would be camping, hunting, or last ditch self defense / evasion and escape. Not appropriate for primary survival or self defense.