Jim, you're correct. I found that sharp checkering just felt like it bit into your hands, so I tried the flat topped, and it made a lot of difference, and then, I told my customers about it. It is still diamond or square pattern V checkering, but not deep enough that you have the sharp pointed tops, as it leaves them slightly flattened off. Plus, it saves all that extra finishing time of using a V file to get them to the finish depth, and make sure the points all come out.
I had bought a socket set, that the ratchets had deep and sharp checkered knurled handles, and they always bit into my hand, to the point that I gave the ratchets away, and bought some that were flat topped knurled. It gave me the idea to try it on firearms.