I have a vintage private purchase/bazaar type Mk. II khukuri which was carried by a "Hump" pilot in WWII CBI. Buying and carrying their own khuks was very common among pilots, as well as other servicemen, in that theater of war. So, you're in good company
here's a pic:
The Mk. II is a good all-around design. My recommendation is to limit yourself to around 22-23 oz. max. for what you want. If going modern, the Cold Steel Gurkha is the best hands down. I wouldn't worry about the expensive SMIII, carbon steel works great. Mine is SK-5 and is superb in every way. It slices light vegetation and chops wood with equal effectiveness. It also has the best production khukuri sheath I've ever seen. I recently bought my son an Ontario Spec Plus khukuri and it seems excellent as well. I don't like the handle as much as the CS Gurkha Khuk, but the blade (1095) appears very well heat treated and came very sharp. The handling is very nice and well balanced. It came with a decent sheath which should work well enough. The CS Gurkhas pop up on the exchange for $100 often enough, but don't last long when they do. The Ontario cost $55 shipped from a large retailer. At those prices either is a bargain. I think the Ontario may be the way to go to try the style of blade and see if you like it. Kabar makes several as well, but I have no experience with them.
If you want traditional, I'd say go with HI or Tora. Just be careful about which model you choose. They offer light and heavy khuks and it doesn't sound like you want a heavy wood processor, but a multi-purpose blade. For me lighter is better. A Tora World War Battalion/Regimental model or the WW Mk. II are what I'd choose. For an HI model, look at the 16" WWII. HI also has a newer model with a "villager" no frills finsh and folks love them. They seem to have the specs for what you need. Just be aware that these khukuri are hand made. The same model can run from 20 oz. to 28 oz. with either company. HI's Deal of the Day is nice because Yangdu gives the specs of the exact blade she is selling. Either company, though, will ship the khuk with a tradional sheath. They require care (oil/polish/etc), but can work well if that care is given. They have no retention device other than good fitting, and in my experience it can range from very good to no fitting at all. Tweaks can be made, however, and a creative person can make it work. There are also some great leather and kydex benders on BF to help with a replacement sheath if desired.
Either way, test the blade extensively before putting any faith into it. This goes for any knife carried in a possible survival situation, but especially for khukuri made in the traditional method. It is art, not science, and lemons slip through the cracks. I've received some myself. Good customer service will make it right, but not if you're setting in a Columbian jungle
I know you stated you wanted a traditional handle, and a good traditional handle is hard to beat, but the CS kraton is very tough and works well for me. As much as I love my traditional khukuri, and I prefer them for working around the house, were I heading into possible danger, I'd likely grab my CS Gurkha and not look back. It's blade/edge style work well for lighter vegetation. The steel is excellent (now coming in what should be more excellent O-1) with great strength to handle severe abuse and very nice edge retention. Also, as a basic carbon steel, after chopping very hard wood (well seasoned mesquite and live oak), I only steel the edge with a screwdriver and "strop" it on a leather glove. It's factory new again. The sheath on the CS Gurkha khuk also is bomb-proof and allows multiple wearing/attachment configurations. Here's an older pic of mine:
Good luck in your search and be safe.
