You didn’t mention your budget but since an ESEE-6 is around $130 I’ll start with a higher priced model price then list some others in descending order of cost.
My first recommendation is my “dream bushcraft folder” The TOPS Fieldcraft Folder (folding version of their popular “BOB” Brothers Of Buscraft knife)
For something more budget priced, but heavy duty and well built I recommend one of the Ganzo brand.
Here are some of the heavier duty models: (I have the G727M-BK among other Ganzo’s)
GANZO G720 (3 colors):
Great for bushcraft, It’s a copy of the LionSteel SR1
I am (now) a fan of the Demco tri-ad lock. I wasn’t initially a proponent. Having owned great knives from CRKT, Kershaw and Spyderco for some time the bar has been set pretty high. So it had to win me over. Note also that I am a knife user, not a collector or hoarder. So I do not have much experience with competitive options.
Been EDC-ing and trail carrying a CS SR1 for half a year. No complaints as an EDC folder and medium-light duty bush crafter. Its not a shelf queen, its a trail/camp beater. I baton knot-free wood with it from time to time. But its for light duty only, taking fat broom handles down to pencils, stab splitting pencils to twigs and feather-sticking as needed too. Once my baton had rocks/gravel embedded in it and I munched up the spine. Some of the marks shown below also came from striking it with a flint rock. So far its taken it like a champ. I don’t baby it at all despite the ~$140 price tag. The Demco tri-ad lock is every bit as good as the hype.
on my keyring I have a SOG Micron 2.
Small and handy for all pocket.fingrnail type jobs.
with a double 10c size squeeze light with LED on front.
In pocket I like the 3 in size blade for handling and practicality.
I carry either my HARNDS Knight.
or a Ganzo Firebird. F753M green. (I do have longer folders)
Any longer that that for safety of my fingers I take a fixed.
Either one of my Puma’s or my old Martiini 4 1\2in blade.
That’s over 50 yrs never let me down yet.
And NEVER buy an outdoor usage knife WITHOUT either a tang.
or defined finger grip slots in handle.
Wet.Bloody. greasy, handles help your knife cut your finger tendons
easier than anything.
ALL cheap. Proven quality for price. and do a good job.
They just my choice of blades, What I have. there r 2 or 3 more chuckle.
PUMA little 4 star, Scales/no scales. Is a very nice pocket carry Around $190.
98% of these people going on about super. Fancy. shaving blades. will never use then outside of a piece of printer paper with mates.
ALL this super exxy materials aren’t really necessary for real knife work.
440c or AUS10 will do it nicely With a diamond 6in Steel in belt.
Plus. You won’t cut yourself so deep or long.
When you slip.
This doesn’t really tick all the requirements (probably not great for bushcrafting, even light use) but as a celebration of my sobriety anniversary I buy a knife every sept 18, last few years its been a custom fixed blade but then I’m scared to use it cause they’ve all got sentimental value and are one-off’s so this year I’ve decided to change it up and get a Benchmade bugout.
From the many reviews I’ve seen (even one video review here) they look like superb little EDC, work even camping knives as long as you don’t ask too much of a sub 3.5” folder