Thank you all for the suggestions! All great options -- almost too many!
The Sebenzas are very nice -- but $400 is out of my price range. I should have specified that I'm not looking to spend more than $150 or so.
I prefer liner locks because they are simple (no grasshopper springs or ball bearings), and allow the knife to be easily closed one-handed without changing your grip or closing the blade on your hip (or flicking it back down) as with a lock back. I realize they're not the strongest, but I don't do cutting tasks which stress the lock. It's basically just a safety.
I was about to go with the RAT 1 -- my only nit-picky issue is the amount of non-functional space between the finger choil and the blade. That's the part of the blade where you get the most leverage in a power cut, and on the RAT 1, it looks to be about an inch apart.
Now I'm strongly considering the Spyderco Tenacious in S35VN (thanks for the suggestion
David Mary
). Reading up on this steel, it seems to be okay to sharpen. Not like carbon steel, but I think I can get away with my oxide stones and my small diamond plate. I've read it will respond to a leather strop with compound, so I think this will be okay without any additions to my sharpening setup. Doesn't need to pop hairs, and I prefer working knifes a little toothy anyways.