Need a hard use knife.

I think the Ontario RAT5 or RAT 7 or RAT RD will please you greatly, and come in well under budget to leave room for a nicer sheath or stones. The RATs can really withstand usage that is closers to abusive as opposed to normal work. The steel used is very tough and easy to sharpen. Most most hard-use fixed blades, the steel and the heat treatment favors toughness over edge retention, so it will not hold an edge as long as most good folding knives because the steels used are generally different and they are treated to favor different aspects of performance. The larger RATs used 5160 steel, which is an even tougher steel than the already tough 1095. I am a big ESEE fan as well, although I think the RATs are easiest to find at budget pricing.

As noted, knives like the Ka Bar Fighting Knives are made more as weapons that for heavy utility. The design aspects reflect the differences in intent of usage. For a fixed blade that will see heavier utility work that is primarily NOT for defensive purposes, and especially if this fixed blade is going to see intense impact, a design that favors heavy utility is ideal IMO. To me, the RAT performs this role flawlessly.
 
Always_Eagle -
When I baton with my BK-2 I have not felt much of any shock through the handle, but I have replaced the stock scales with micarta ones, and I usually wear leather work gloves when working with wood.
 
I would look at Swamprat. As mentioned by others, they have some top choices available in the shop.

Both the Ratmandu and Rodent 6 fit your specifications, and not too far off your budget.

Or try to snag a Scrap Yard 711 off the exchange... That one is a beast of a campknife!
 
I had a Buck knight hawk 650 when I was younger I beat the crap out of that knife and never failed me. I took it everywhere camping, hunting, fishing, it seen a lot of use/abuse. I liked it so much I bought a duplicate . The only negative for me was the sheath it left a lot to be desired.
 
For the price, the Ontario SP 53 is a bruiser of a knife. I have thumped on this thing with ill intent and it just laughs back at me.
Pair it up with one or both of these for a very effective combo well within your budget.

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Welcome to Bladeforums!

Batoning is a specialized skill that can be hard on a blade if you don't do it right. But 1095 and carbon steel generally is as good as it gets in cold weather.

Becker and ESEE are built for it. The KA-BAR Fighting Utility is a good knife but not the heaviest duty around.

Both Becker and ESEE have decent handles which will help absorb shock.
 
Bk9 or a bk4... bk4 has a little bit of a learning curve, but once you get to know it, you will love it. Feather sticks, batoning, chopping, draw knife, you name it.
 
How about a BlackJack TacOps 4, 6, or 8? Convex blade grind shines for batoning, it's heavy enough for chopping, and it cuts like a champ to boot. If you're gonna hunt with it I'd go for a Model 4 or 6, but if you just want something you can literally beat until your arms are sore, go with the 8. The extra blade length will come in handy when batoning thicker wood. Full tang in either 1095 or A2, you simply can't beat these things.

If all else fails, just make one...it can be a hoot:D
 
Svord Von Tempsky. Monster 11 inch blade convexed and made of L6. Supposedly good in cold because of the nickel in the composition of the steel. Whether true or not it's the kind of knife you can chop up car sheet metal with. They make a smaller 6 inch "ranger" version of the Von Tempsky but the large one is a true beast.

http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/SVOVTB/svord-vtb-von-tempsky-bowie-knife-11-carbon-steel-blade-wood-handles-leather-sheath

After that the Ontario next Gen Spec plus in 8 inches, .250 inch of 5160. Or, the Ranger line 9 inch blade in .250 inch 5160. A very tough steel and good knives. The Spec plus are more comfortable grip wise. Keep in mind Spec plus line has both 3/8ths inch ( thinner) models in same length, as well as models in 1095 which is very tough, but less tough than 5160. Ranger line is the same. They have the thinner models as well as the thicker. When ordering make sure it's the model that has the specs you want.
 
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