Old poll but nonetheless... I own quite a few of these knives (including many of the ESEE knives) and in my opinion the Busse, Swamp Rat and Survive Knives are in a whole different league compared to the rest of the options. The SRKW Ratmandu CG is an awesome knife at a reasonable cost. I have it and the ESEE 6 and while they are both excellent knives I would recommend spending a couple more dollars and getting the Ratmandu.
Form my viewpoint, the problem is the scope is too broad. There are too many "different classes" involved. A bushcraft knife has requisites different from a "tactical" one. Both can excel in their fields but they do not overlap
ESEE 5 is one thick slab of metal. Honestly, too thick to be a practical survival/camp knife. I own one and would never hike with it. I leave it in the truck. I have an ESEE 3 and Izula II, I love them. Next purchase from ESEE will be a 6 to replace the 5.
I have an Essee 5 and the Gransfors small forest axe. You can not buy better both are top flight. You can baton all day with the Essee 5 and still have a paper cutting edge at nite. With the Essee and Bruks all you need is a Silky folding saw( they are the best you can buy) and you are set. I want an Essee 3 next.