well let us consider what we might like for a knife and what we might logically use it for.
Firstly there is an old adage that " beware the guy who uses one gun for everything; because he probably knows how to use it well " !!!
So people collect knives and some custom, old or special knives are awesome; but if i buy something i expect to keep it in mint condition so its value increases. I cannot stand people who buy classic cars then throw them around the streets in pure enjoyment of not appreciating the oldness and history in their mindless actions...
Now all knives are not created equal, so first we want an everyday average pocket knife with a tanto tip for piercing packaging and boxes etc. A small flat blade and a serrated; blade under 4 inches, strong and under $20 since over time you will lose it or abandon it (eg: at a security point). Oh yes please ignore the fools who think its useful to hang a knife around their neck; simply they usually failed to try for or get accepted into the military...
Next we get very specific a awesome FOLDER of a knife, this is the legendary Adamas 275 Benchmade knife; heavy at just shy of 8 oz and truly maybe the strongest mass produced lock open knife ever made.
Truly this is what you go hand to hand against grissleys with !!! It is designed for the military and part of the money goes to the ranger assistance fund to help ex vets. This knife is truly stronger than a tank, it is large for smallish hands but it is super solid. Make no mistake this knife you will give your great grand children even after years and years of field service !!! While you might lose or have it taken, you will absolutely in no way of any thoughtful usage break this knife.
Yes it is around US$175, but since the knife will last 175 YEARS; you must agree that is value for money ;)
The Benchmade Adamas 275 will outlive you; even if you choose not to go toe to toe with a great bear...
Lastly the Becker BK2 fixed blade survival do anything go anywhere knife; this knife will do anything you can imagine of it, truly you can smash rocks wit this knife. In tests people decided to dig through roadway asphalt to test this knife, sure it was not pretty but it was functional.
There is an awesome video of this knifes "cousin" The Tac Tool was used in an exercise by a group of fire rescue teams. This knife literally broke the windows, PRY'd open the door, skinned off the vehicle roof etc. Yes a tip broke off because the guy jumped on the knife to try and dislodge the main locking pinton of the door !!! (the strongest part)...
While there is a range of these knives from Becker, the BK2 is the best average for chopping trees down, digging holes or peeling onions or tomatoes, at around $75 this knife does it all and you can afford to locate three in different places; make no mistake if your gearing up to invade Mars, this is the knife you strap on :)
Lastly if you do not want a huge knife for onions or tomatoes a pretty little Mora 'clipper' knife will make the perfect camp knife, plus it can also function for survival purposes as it is super strong and solid for the type of 'camp' knife it is. NO i would not bet my life on it; but the knife you have available is your best friend and the Mora will do solid basic survival duty. What do you expect for around US$20 ?
This is the cheapest, most versatile knife collection for doing anything anywhere with. The only thing you might add is a skinning knife if you find you need to does a lot of skinning tasks; but skinning knives are NOT survival knives, and the BK2 or Adamas 275 would serve you well anyways.
So investigate and buy the finest, strongest, cheapest knives ever made; not only for survival but any task you can imagine, check the reviews these knives are legendary already !!!