fixed blade - I've had generic kabar/buck with the leather-ring grips, about 25 years ago and by now they are still around, but they've been abused and even heated with my learning how to sharpen on them... make them more nostalgic items
i have a sog seal pup (the smaller one) and it feels good...
wish the grip was grippier...
i'm happy with my Gerber LMF:
the "make me into a spear" lashing points look like a welcome addition. the survival model seems to have a bit of tang/grip shock resistance (in more than one way), so not needing all black (not a ninja) i'd go with that one if my budget fit it. check it out:
http://www.gerbergear.com/index.php/product/id/63
i my first Gerber in 20 years was: "Gerber Prodigy Combat 4.8"
which has the same functional sheath (double snaps for when you want to be doubly sure it doesn't move) yet the plastic/rubber retention function means you can run it without the handle-velcro for easier access. Even this one makes my SOG feel like a toy, and it led me to the LMF... think of it as a poor man's version of the LMF above, for 33% less money, it's on my wife's kit now.
there are a lot of esoteric/custom fixed blade knives, and i'm glad don't covet them... I did break down and bought a hinderer for a folder, makes *all* of my other folders (spyderco, benchmad, buck) seem cheap and flimsy, torque wise. if you are looking for a folder that is built like a tank that will make you stare at it...
http://www.rickhindererknives.com/knives/xm-18/index.htm
good luck!