In Knoppix 7.0.5, I like reiserfs, but I'm not keen on grub

[utu]

I think you have got it quite wrong with KK and grub: Legacy grub always was there and in use with Knoppix

You are quite right.
I now see that syslinux is still in there doing its thing even in 705
cd-size LiveUSBs after all. It has been mediating with grub all along.