I like the Tactile Knife Co. Dreadeye, but, especially with its tanto profile, I feel like it's more an urban EDC fixed blade than a bushcrafting tool - do you plan to do Bushcraft-type activities? Batoning and what not? The other strike against it is that it is Magnacut so, very stainless. It's in your size range though.
At your max length and also in Magnacut, I like the White River Knives Firecraft 3.5 Pro. Drop-point skinner-like blade, very versatile, comes with a (removable) ferrocerrium rod and holder built into the kydex sheath. Excellent knife.
Smaller and more traditional, but also not carbon is the A.G. Russell Woodswalker - A.G.'s take on a pack or pocket-friendly bird and trout knife. Mine were made in Japan. They're currently being produced in China. It's such a simple design, I don't think there's much that could go wrong. Very lightweight. Versatile. Requires more frequent upkeep for the edge. Available with either a leather pocket sheath or a kydex sheath. Like a paring knife you take with you.
Another interesting one is the Mora Eldris. Small, but stout and, I believe, available in a carbon version - the only hangup with this one is the sheath. It's a typical Mora sheath which means I wouldn't wear it tip up. That said, somebody must be making an aftermarket kydex sheath for it, right? While we're here, how about just a small traditional carbon-steel Mora knife - probably the most bang for your buck option by far.
I don't know if that helps, but that's what came to mind in that size range.
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