I love the forward balance of the S5. It's just right and not too much. I greatly prefer the feel of the S5 in my hand versus the SS4 for example or the Ratmandu. A slight forward balance due to a tiny bit heavier blade makes the knife faster and easier to use, at least for me. I am not a fan of some of Scrapyard's competitors products for just this reason. A thin fragile blade is not the kind of woods knife I want or prefer.