Is scrama still legal in UK? I did look up the recent updates and looks like it still meets what allowed. It’s just looks big…
Yes. Over 8 inches but only one hole and no serrations. Legal so long as you have "good reason" to be using it (as with all other fixed blade knives and with axes).
The Skramas are well balanced, the 240 in particular. Yes it's big but the differential profile means you can choke up the grip for finer work near the handle or hold the end for a it of umph when chopping. It also takes and holds a good edge easily.*
I really second the recommendations for getting decent sharpening tools. If there's one thing I've learned it's that a decent sharpening stone, a strop and learning how to use them will give much better results than chasing a holy grail of a magic steel. Even "bog standard" tool steel these days can be incredibly good if forged, heat-treated and sharpened properly.
I don't think there's one perfect knife to do everything, although the Skrama 240* plus a pair of DC4 and CC4 stones and a Mora 106 or 120 for carving is probably the closest I can think of to what you're after*- and you'd still have a few quid left over from your budget. A Mora 106/120 are a good starting point for carving, and can be kept stropped and "carving sharp."
Corrosion resistance: Just check, clean, dry and hone/strop your knives after use. Good practice for any blade as you can check for damage whilst doing so.
But... if you just hanker after something in a "special" steel (because it is), that's OK too
*(
please note, I have a soft spot for blades out of Varusteleka )
GC