I have had a first generation original since the mid 80's. It has the chisel back, which was phased out later. While I prefer the smaller guard and somewhat cleaner lines of the original, the new one looks to be every bit as good. That chisel back really throws a blast of sparks from a ferrocerium rod better than anything else I've tried. The handle shape is perfect to me as well. I could not improve on it for my uses. My only nit to pick is the lack of a lanyard hole but the need for that feature could be debated 'till the cows come home. Oh yes, I also use the old kydex sheath with a belt clip instead if the leather one. Just personal preference.
In general chopping, slicing, hacking, prying and whittling use around camp, I have found it to outperform knives, such as the SRK, by a WIDE margin. Then again, it depends on what you want to accomplish and what your methods are. I currently have a Fallkniven H-1 and a Becker Campanion trying to unseat the Outdoorsman as my favorite but so far they seem to lack the same range of application.
I would unreservedly recommend this knife as a tough, comfortable "do-all" camp, hunt and trail blade, filling the gap between fillet knife and axe.
