Pete,

You're right. Always a good idea to use the best tool for the job. I have an army folding shovel and a small Gerber hatchet I take camping sometimes. I love them both, but I often need to be thinking about weight and leave them behind.

I don't have any fixed blade knives at all (other than in the kitchen). Since it's suggested as the number one tool to have in a survival situation, I figured it was about time I picked one up. I previously just carried a Swiss Army knife and a Leatherman.

I don't plan on doing any digging with the knife unless I really need to for some reason. Cutting up small wood I will likely use the knife sometimes. I will also use it for hunting and probably bring it with me when camping too.

I'm a pilot. I fly over some uninhabited areas sometimes and this is why I'm putting a kit together. I need to be thinking about weight for this as well. I don't want the kit to be too heavy or cumbersome so that I'll think twice about bringing it along.