Strong enough to peel potatoes.

it doesn't need to be tough. the edge retention is most important aspect of a knife that size. i like a small knife to be thin, narrow, and either full flat or full convex. my 889 is very tough and sharp but the broad, thick, hollow ground blade likes arguing with me when cutting, unlike my sak's. a $10 mora is more cooperative.

If it is 1/4" thick you should be able to jack up a mini Cooper with it at least!

Tough enough to peel and cut apples. Easy to sharpen.



Bors

I'm with Magnum on this one. For me it comes down to blade efficiency (shape and grind), handle ergonomics, and weight. Steel choice primarily matters for edge retention and whether you want/need stainless.

I've been using a Rat3 (D2) for a couple of months now. I've heard that they aren't easy to sharpen in the field, but as well as they hold an edge it shouldn't be too much of a concern for week long trips. $75 and it will do all of the small camp chores I'll ask of it. It can handle small branches, food prep (must be able to spread peanut butter, so I like the size/shape of the blade), rope, etc and still hold it's edge. It's actually becoming one of my favorite knives. Very handy little tool.

i'd shoot for $50. i like a knife that size made of the sandvik steels, kershaw's stainless leek looks pretty cool and i may try it one day. the ET looks cool too. don't flame, but i like that 12c27 gerber lmf2. course it would be dumb to buy that when the dumpster mutt costs $10-$20 LESS but i still think it's a cool knife. if dan made a sandvik knife, folding or fixed, i'd be first in line for it. i've never used that expression before.

short list of some of my favorites:
pioneer, farmer, hunstman, oht, 110, subcom, fatty, delica, storm, and mora.

I can't judge them, but I would not pay $200 for a little knife like that. But then, an $18 machete and a Gerber axe would do as much or more than my expensive choppers. Things are worth whatever people are willing to pay for them.