It really depends on what you are doing.
If you want to go light, and there's no need for cutting firewood or clearing any area, then I would have two suggestions:
1. Opinel (larger size 8, 10 etc) _and_ a medium SAK (huntsman or smaller).
2. Victorinox OneHand Trailmaster/trekker (remove serrations to make it plain edge) _and_ a small multitool (LM squirt, LM micra, SOG).
You should be able to do either for ~50.00 or less.
Don't forget to buy at least a medum or coarse stone for in-field sharpening and learn how to use it.
For more money, I'd take a Spyderco CalypsoJr. in place of the opinel, one hand operation could be useful.
There are many choices in this price range though...
If you want to go light, and there's no need for cutting firewood or clearing any area, then I would have two suggestions:
1. Opinel (larger size 8, 10 etc) _and_ a medium SAK (huntsman or smaller).
2. Victorinox OneHand Trailmaster/trekker (remove serrations to make it plain edge) _and_ a small multitool (LM squirt, LM micra, SOG).
You should be able to do either for ~50.00 or less.
Don't forget to buy at least a medum or coarse stone for in-field sharpening and learn how to use it.
For more money, I'd take a Spyderco CalypsoJr. in place of the opinel, one hand operation could be useful.
There are many choices in this price range though...