I bought an Imperial sheath knife maybe 50 years ago for a dollar. It was made pretty cheaply, had a stamped steel guard and plastic handles. I thought it was unusual that the steel seemed really good. It held an edge well and was easy to sharpen.
I remember reading in a Cold Steel brochure several years ago, that plain old high speed tool steel makes an excellent knife. Of course they said their own steel was the best.
I think any good quality knife would do but the best knife I ever had was a Puma “White Hunter” which I bought in 1965. It had that rare property of holding an edge really well yet being easy to sharpen.
I also like many of the Cold Steel knives.