Wondering if I can use different Subversion clients on the same working files or if the .svn metadata is specific to one type of client. For example, can I check out files in Tortoise or subclipse, and perform some of the tasks using command line Silk Subversion and then commit back again using Tortoise or Subclipse?
I use both, Tortoise SVN, and Subclipse - no problem at all. .svn file format does not depend on client; you can use many clients with no fear ;)
And this is quite usable - Subclipse is accessible from Eclipse, so without Eclipse I can use Tortoise; as well as when I got problem with Subclipse, then I update project with Tortoise, just don't forget to refresh that project in Eclipse after changes made by out of Eclipse tool (like Tortoise)