x 2 on the above suggestions on knives and vests...
Once you figure out what ou want in a knife, I can give you a few suggestions. Hell, I'll give you a few suggestions on knives fright now, that will probably break your entire budget... 1- folder, a Chris Reeve Sebenza classic ; 2 - fixed blade CRK Pacific, GB or Neal Roberts. Remember with knives, you get what you pay for - here is the Chris Reeves Knife site:
http://www.chrisreeve.com/
Gerber has some good knives - look at the new stuff they have out.... like the LHR due in February 2010 after SHOT Show ... Chris Reeve and Bill Harsey designed this as a Military 'Big Sheath knife" at a very reasonable price.... I've seen and handled the prototypes and it's a nice knife - with the caveat from the designers, it may be trying to be too many things, but it it will do what you need... go to
http://www.gerbergear.com/ to look at stuff.
Spartan Blades USA makes good stuff...
http://www.spartanbladesusa.com/cart/
Other designers to look for are Ken Brock, Mick Strider, Ken Onion.... Companies to look at are CRKT (Columbia River Knife and Tool), Kershaw, and Spyderco... Oh, knives, I love me some knives... and guns...