Current retail for a full sized Bushman is @ $25. The RC ( Rockwell hardness scale) is 54. Thats just on the edge of being to soft and will make field sharpening easier. The softer steel will also tend to bend vs break from brittleness, not that any of us abuse a knife like Lynne Thompson's video hype. The cordura sheath is deep,cheap and functional. The handle will require wrapping such as inner tube ( unless you enjoy burning or freezing your hand to metal in extreme temps.) The ergonomics are lousy, unless in cold climes. If you fabricate a robust cap for the end it can then be used much like the scandinavian luekos with draw cuts or pushing the tip into material by the butt. Forget about the knee jerk desire to make a spear out of it. Stuff a few goodies in the handle. You have an Applegate folder, go for the larger blade. I hate the powdercoat finish. It tends to just make sharpening a chore on some edge geometries. The blade itself is suprisingly usefull and handy for the size. About the only competitor in this price would be the Mora 2000 survival knife available through www.ragweedforge.com