Price will be everything in my selection. However, if given the choice I'd choose option number three.

A 7 1/2 inch blade doesn't really excell at any one thing, imho. A blade that size isn't a chopper, it borders on being a little too small. And a blade that size borders on being too large for useful everyday cutting whether in the field, the farm, or wherever.

The choice for me doesn't come down to handle type in so much as material type. For a knife like that I'd prefer something that will take and hold an edge better that SR-77. And since I cut a lot more than I chop I'd prefer my performance to be directed more toward edge retention.

My thoughts and feelings would certainly be different is the knife were longer, or if it were shorter. However, given what it is I'd lean towards Swamp Rats version. Now if we could just figure out how much each of them cost that'll determine my final answer.