I carry a benchmade every day, but have you checked out the esee izula? Similar size, only slightly heavier, and quite a bit cheaper.
The izula has no scales and is kind of a pain
If you want them, there are plenty of places online that sell scales for the izula.
The izula is a great knife, my girlfriend and I both carry one when backpacking and hunting.
I specifically wanted the bare knife. It seriously disappears in my pocket. I love everything about the knife it’s just a little slick when bloody. I’m thinking the altitude will have a similar issue if that’s your intended use.
I only use mine for gutting and cuts around bone and knuckles. I started carrying a victorinox boning knife to debone deer in the field. That’s the best knife decision I have made in a long time.
i purchased one a few months ago and have only used it on a fresh road kill deer. Very sharp and comfortable to use. I think for its size and weight it’s as good a knife as you can get.I’m a fan of the Altitude. I originally planned to get the Izula, but it didn’t fit in my hand well. I held the Altitude and knew immediately I wanted that knife. Only deboned one Mule Deer so far but it was excellent.