Dude it really matters so much what kind of outdoors, what kind of activities, what kind of guy you are....
I think you should consider a useful folding knife first. Like a SAK (Swiss Army Knife) from Victorinox. The Farmer or the One Hand Trekker are popular.... They both have a main blade, and they both have a small saw, which can be very useful. I prefer the One Hand Trekker, because, it opens with one hand, and the main blade locks open, which is a very important safety feature.
From there, it really depends on what you will be doing, what you want to start doing, where you will be...
I am going to assume you live in Tennessee, which means the environments found there.
After a Victorinox OHT, I would add a small fixed blade appropriate for fine work, with an acute point. I would suggest a Mora with a Carbon Steel Blade, of your preference....
http://www.ragweedforge.com/SwedishKnifeCatalog.html
After that, I would look for a bigger knife, or an axe....
If you don't have an axe, I would suggest wetterlings....
http://www.wetterlings.com/
A large axe, which is really a real axe, anything smaller, and you are really doing yourself a dis-service, in my opinion.
So, I would suggest a Chopping Axe, but no smaller than a Swedish Forest Axe.
That is my opinion, and you know what they say about that... But, with those tools, you could easily recreate in any way you wanted. And, I think you could get all 3 for $120.
Victorinox One Hand Trekker for $32
http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=VN54875
Mora for $12
http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=FT840
Wetterlings Swedish Forest Axe $60 (because most people don't want to carry the bigger one)
http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=SAW26H
Grand Total before tax.... $104
Marion
