I guess I would be looking for something in the 6 inch range. I would be like to able to use it for light chopping and batoning but would use an ax or hatchet for heavier work if need be and I could live with or without a choil.
Im really open to most options at this point.
That helps younggun :thumbup:
For a 6" in the $250 range the GSO6 from Survive!Knives or the Rodent 6 from SwampRat are both good choices. They will withstand far more than light use and have excellent warranties. The GSO6 is choilless, the R6 has a choil and top guard. The GSO is in 3V and the SwampRat is in SR101.
You might also consider the SwampRat Ratmandu and the GSO 5.1. These two are slightly smaller, at about a 5-1/4" blade length. You'll find a lot of support for these two particular blades. They are excellent field blades from good companies.
Both GSO's will push your $250 limit, but include quality kydex sheaths. The SwampRats are well under your limit, but you will need to find a sheath. (Many of the makers here have these blades on hand and can crank out a quality sheath in a short period of time). Watching the exchange and being ready to buy will be the best for the GSO's. The Rats can be ordered from the company but you will have a 'few' weeks wait. Luckily they hit the exchange at reasonable prices regularly, and can sometimes be found with a sheath included. The Ratmandu may be the best bang-for-your-buck knife out there right now.
Since you mentioned you were open to most options at this point, I'd also recommend you take a look at the ScrapYard 711. It is a little larger, a 7" blade, but is a fine camp knife.
Those would be my choices, but you've got a lot of other fine options. Good luck in your search.
Busse/Swamprat/Scrapyard Exchange
Production Fixed Blade Exchange
