Sumoj,
If balance is THAT critical for you, you are going to have a very slim selection with the ultra-lightweight Scrap Yard Res-C handles.
My SS4 balances perfectly on the middle of my index finger in the normal grip part of the handle.
My MPLE balances at the back of my index finger. So, it is a tad lighter in the blade.
I don't have the BDLE. But, I assume it balances somewhere near the index finger in the normal grip.
The S5 balances at the rear of the choil. So, I guess for you to happily use the S5, you are going to need to make that choil pretty cozy.
But, the reality is, if you find the balance of the S5 not suitable for your literal "Needs" and "Need" all your knives to have perfect balance, I don't understand how you are going to use most any Scrap Yard knife short of the three lightweights listed above.
The Res-C handles are SO light that most any blade outweighs the handle.
Even the shorter and very slender bladed, full-height grind Bog Dog which is a tad shorter than the S5 still balances just barely forward of the index finger with the ultra-light Res-C handles. And you can't get a much slimmer blade than the Bog Dog's at 0.14" thick.
The Bog Dog's blade is 4.625" vs. the S5's blade is about 1/2" longer at 5.125".
But, if neutral balance is what you are looking for and a blade even close to the S5's, the Bog Dog's balance isn't far off with a pretty darn close to neutral balance. The Bog Dog might be your ticket!!!
The Bog Dog has the slimmest blade of any knife combined with Res-C ever made (to my knowledge) at 0.14" thick and full height grind.
The Bog Dog is much more of a slicer vs. the S5 feeling significantly more substantial with it's thicker blade (0.185" thick), saber grind and actually a bit taller blade. I measure my Bog Dog at about 1.1875" tall through most of the middle of the blade and the S5 at close to 1.3125" tall through most of the center of the blade. Little features like the thumb ramp, smaller choil and larger guard also add a little extra forward weight to the S5.
For comparison:
SS4...........= 5.5 ounces; .200" thick ; 4.25" blade; 9" oal
Bog Dog.......= 5.0 ounces; .140" thick ; 4.75" blade; 9.56" oal
Mud Puppy (LE)= 5.0 ounces; .185” thick; 3.25” blade; 8.25” oal
S5CG..........= 6.75 ounces; .185” thick; 5.125” blade; 10.125” oal
Vexillarius...= 5.25 ounces; .14” thick; 3.75” blade (from front of choil); 8.25” oal
Yard Keeper LE........= 7.5 ounces; .268" thick; 4.5" blade; 9" oal
Howler (2nd gen-Res-C)= 5.5 ounces; .188" thick; 4.5" blade; 9" oal
DMCG.................= 9.0 ounces; .270" thick; 5.25" blade; 9.75" oal
HRLM...............= 9.0 ounces; .190" thick; 4.13" blade; 9.3" oal
Ratmandu (micarta).= 10.0 ounces; .189" thick; 5.3125" blade; 10.5" oal
SAR5...............= 11.0 ounces; mine 0.200” (stated .1875”), 5.0” blade; 10.0” oal
I don't have my Bandicoot anymore, but it might be the only other Res-C knife I can think of that might have a nuetral balance (???). It has a small blade.
The Howling Rat is noticably blade heavy as are every other small Res-C handled knife I can think of.
To increase your chances of nuetral balance, you will have to increase your handle weight - which means micarta or G10 = Swamp Rat or Busse.
I HIGHLY recommend the Vex if you can find one. It is still very light-weight at 5.25 ounces (compared to 6.75 for the S5), it actually is handle heavy and balances at the middle finger (but, I assume that is better for you ????), fits my hand like a glove and has a GREAT blade shape and over-all design - IMO.
The Hairy Carries are very nice. But, the handles are bit small for me.
The HRLM is very nice. Personally, I prefer it a lot more with the minor mods I made to the choil and thumb recess on mine. But, otherwise a great knife.
However, the HRLM is quite heavy (a beast) compared to the ultra-light Res-C/Mudder handled knives. With it's beefy handle and shorter blade the HRLM balances at the rear of the index finger - between the index and middle finger.
The only knives that really compare in size to the S5 are the Bog Dog, Ratmandu, and Dumpster Mutt - Or if interested in Busse: SAR5, SAR4, BAe (similar to HRLM), BA3, and other smaller Busses.
I don't have the thinner Dumpster Mutts. I just have the ultra thick bladed DMCG which is way blade heavy. But, I doubt the thinner bladed DM's are neutral balanced either - again because of the lightweight Res-C handles.
The Ratmandu in micarta or G10 both balance about perfectly neutral on the index finger. And the Ratmandu is a VERY close comparison to the S5 in design, but a LOT heavier because of both full tang and handle material. Ratmandu's weigh about 10 - 11 ounces depending on handle material (G10 weighs more) - again compared to the similar sized S5 with ultra-light handle only weighing about 6.75 ounces.
The SAR5 is a knife with GREAT potential IMO. But, IMO, it needs the handle size and weight reduced. As is it is PLENTY handle heavy and balances at the front of the middle finger.
I don't have the SAR4, but I would be very confident it is handle heavy.
I have never owned either Badger Attack. But, feel plenty confident that both are either balanced or handle heavy (???). The BAe is quite chunky and is listed at 12.5 ounces. The BA3 is both smaller and thinner. I would guess it to weight closer to 9 ounces (????). But, they both have NON-functioning choils.... don't get me started. Actually, the HRLM had one of those cr#@@y choils. But, I reground my choil backwards into the guard to make it functional. You can't really do that with the Busse knives because of the Talon Hole. Actually, you can, but you have to take out the Talon hole and left with a very thin funny looking guard.
Anyway, if you are looking for (and "Need") a neutral balanced knife from Busse and kin, I hope the above info helps.
Good luck.
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