There is one area were the SOD will fall short compared to the S6. That is skinning, capping out game, on the hip whilst hiking miles in steep terrain. 1" is allot here.
I will also say, IMO I believe an all rounder starts at around 5" & ends at around 6.5", depending on the job intended, hand size & what floats your boat <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I'm hoping the SOD will be a mean compact chopper like the FSH, and not an all arounder like the S6. Like you said, depends on the job intended.

Whilst talking about all rounders. Does anyone here own, has owned or used/handled the Busse Jack Hammer or Satin Jack. What do you think about these two.
Also, did Swamp Rat offer anything around 6" in clip point/bowie style with micarta handles?

I didn't like the jack hammer to much, because I'm not a fan of the TAC handles and don't like the CBTs on that model. It felt more like a fighter to me.

Depends on which Satin Jack, the original ones or the TAC models? The original one is really sweet, but very hard to come by and the TAC model has a more usable blade then the jack hammer. I would pick the SarsQ over the jackhammer and the sjtac, but not the original sj.

I think the closes thing in the Swamp Rat to what you're describing is the military overrun Desert Jack. I've always wanted one..


Oh yeah, and there's the Swamp Rat M6, basically the swamp version of the S6 with micarta handles.

The more I see tan, the more I like it. Was never really a fan until recently...

picture of the swamp rat M6

Now that looks promising <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> . I would love to compare the S6 & M6 side by side <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> . Have heard some say their S6 feels better, but I cannot commit here, never had the privilege of handling or eye-balling the M6 <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Mr. Andy Wayne would be who I'd ask, he has one of the most extensive collection I've seen. Here are some pictures of his S6/M6 side by side.





http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y209/andywayne/Knives/Swamp%20Rat/?start=all

The M6 does not have that "melt in your hand" feeling that the S6 gives me. The M6 balance is different because of the heavier micarta handles and the M6 blade is not as thick as the S6 blade. Not to say that the M6 is a bad choice(it is SR101 after all), simply that for me it doesn't have that immediate appeal that the S6 has. For me the S6 comes closest of any large fixed blade knife in the feeling of being a natural extension of your hand.

The SJTAC is a very fine knife, especially if you can pick up one of the recent "embrace the suck" offerings with the slightly thicker slabs. The blade is not particularly wide but the length and balance make it seem lively in the hand, again at least to me <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Since I have neither, where are the balance pivots on the S6 and M6? First finger?

The S6LE balances almost exactly where the Res-C handle meets the tang/ricasso.

The M6 balances just rearward of the first fastener hole in the tang/slabs.

No doubt about it, SR101 is superb steel, as is SR-77 & INFI! This might sound like a dream, but why not dream I say. Imagine a S6 with INFI, just like the SS4 <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" /> . Now this would be my grail survivor, even though SR-77 does it all then some. I just like the idea of some INFI on a S6. WOW what a knife! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />