If you are looking for a specific blade for a specific job, then your choices are many but don't forget they may be mission specific. A machete is not much good for doing small jobs no more than my SAK good for chopping wood.
Do some more research and see what the common items are when it comes down to serious hard core survival. It most likely will be short on the "Super TalonBlackhawk Ninja Sooper Dooper Killer" and more likely to be a simple quality pocket knife, axe, and a head full of common sense.
Still amused when I think of the most appropriate description.... "Well it looks great in the shower but ain't worth a shit in the bedroom".
When was the last time you used your knife and what for?
Excellent point! What is the blade going to be used for? Skinning rabbits or enemies?
If this is a question about tactical knives then I humbly leave the commenting to those with expertise in that area.
If we are talking utility knives, well then [rubs hands together]...
Kabar makes a fine, tough blade, but its size makes it ill-suited for certain "domestic" survival tasks, like peeling tough fruit, cutting line, or skinning animals. You are better off with a shorter, more maneuverable blade designed specifically for hunting (perhaps with a "zipper" on the reverse side for skinning).
If you are looking for an aviator's survival knife, consider a police or fireman's folding blade, which have a seatbelt-cutting design. I shy away from these only because I like to keep designs simple. As much as I admire a well-engineered fixed-blade...for survival purposes one might be better off with two tools: a very large folding knife (not much over 3.5 inches) and a camp axe.
Keep in mind that no matter how strong these knives are they are engineered to
cut, NOT pry or hammer. Those tasks require a different tool.
With all that said, I like KISS knives, folding and fixed. It's hard to go wrong with a Spyderco, Kershaw or Smith & Wesson. And unless killing ppl is your profession, pretty much any utility knife will do for self-defense. :icon_wink