Well, it kinda depends on what you mean by "strenuous."
I have not used the Shrade, but have had and used the Buck Special, since 1967, when my girl friend gave me one for my birthday. I've used it for gutting, skining, and quartering deer and elk. I've used it in camp for various tasks: cooking, splitting firewood for kindling using a baton, cutting rope and twine, and at times, cutting small branches around tents to keep them from rubbing the canvas. Also have used it fishing, and, other tasks which I can't remember.
Oddly enough, it's on the desk right beside me as I write, with a homemade pouch attached to it with a few survival items in it. When I head for the mountains/forests, it's ONE of the knives that is always somewhere in my gear, or on my belt.
It is not the easiest knife to sharpen, so I use an EZE-LAP Mdl. M diamond rod. But, once it's sharp, it stays that way for a long time. It fits my hand fine and I've got a lot of good use from it.
I DO NOT use the Buck Special to dig foxholes, to pry open safes, or to build a log cabin to get me through the winter so I can then use it to build a log raft to float downriver on the Yukon after Spring breakup. I have quite a few other tools for those chores.
If you take care of it with only modest attention, it'll take care of you... so long as you know what you're doing when it comes to "survival".
Other opinions may differ.
Best of luck. L.W.
