I had one of the first Mil Reg's and it was an indestructible knife. I didn't care for the blade length or clip point though. Being a 1/3" thick clip-point made it neat knife that I only found good for batoning small firewood. It was too big for bushcraft and too small for chopping / big baton work. The clip point stuck in the logs used for batoning.

It did hold an extremely keen edge (even after batoning for three straight days of camping / testing).

My experiences with that knife made me think 6" and 9-10" are great blade lengths, but in between is sort of a "no man's land" as far as knives go.

I meant to say 5-6" and 9-10".

Anton,

If the economy was going to collapse tomorrow and all infrastructure was going to fail as result...meaning no shopping for a new knife...I would want:

A) Approximately 4" x 1/8" to 3/16" Full Flat Grind Modified Drop Point
B) Approximatley 6" x 1/4" Full Flat Grind Drop Point
C) 10" x 5/16" Full Flat Grind

Budget Examples that I would choose:

A) Scrap Yard 411
B) Scrap Yard Scrapper 6
C) Scrap Yard 911

My personal choices:

A) Busse Combat Leaner Meaner (.170" FFG)
B) Busse Combat ASH-1 Coated LE (.220" FFG thick)
C) Busse Combat NMFSH (.30" but will eventually get replaced with a FBM)

The thing is I got so use to the handles that I have lost interest in G-10 or Micarta. Which really narrows down my choices. Sold my two Fehrman EJ immediately after receiving the 911. I could not believe the difference in comfort. Almost no pain gets transfered to your hand! Now the problem is there are only so many choices with res-c handles. But that's ok, if I don't go for another 1111 I will wait for other options to be released.
I think the knife I probably want the most of all Bussekin is a 1311.

Going by your opening post I think I would suggest the SM since you don't like small knives. It should be very capable at that size. If you're going to go the secondary market route and like to choke up, then I would suggest looking for a Scrapper 5.

Second for the S5.

I still think the 4.5" 411 is a great "mid sized" knife that would compliment your big knives well.

You could also hope for the invention of a timemachine. Then go back and get a 711...

Or wait for the 611, whatever it ends up being.

If you can get one on the secondary market, I highly recommend the 711.

Anton, go with what your gut instinct tells you.

Thanks guys!

You're welcome!