Option 2 is very tempting. Your help is much needed. Please record a demo and post it on YouTube may be :p ?
Lol... well when i eventually notice a crack that i'm worried about then i'll be certain to apply my own logic.
In the mean time i think your edge tape option is probably going to work best for your circumstances... and more importantly if it gives you more confidence in your bat then thats the main thing.
I suppose given my basic lack of ability i should be more worried about cracks on the edge.. given that the outside edge is the way i mainly get out and the inside edge is my main scoring shot, I've been thinking about getting a custom bat made, based on the original scoop... just taking the perimeter weight design to more of an extreme "is that a hole in the middle of your bat" type of design.