and simple simons advice is, (guess what?)read this sites gear advice :-)

"Some moderate cost production knives to consider include the:
.....
KJ Eriksson Mora Knife Model 731 (carbon steel balde), Model 748 (stainless steel blade) and Model 2000

(The Mora is favored by a number of survival instructors as a practical and inexpensive fixed blade, though less robust than the blades above.)
You may have to modify the knife you select in order to get all the features you want in a survival knife, especially if you're on a budget. Obviously, you can spend a lot more for a "better knife." But, these knives meet all the minimum criteria for a dependable survival knife at a not unreasonable cost, and in the case of the Mora, truely inexpensive."