I like the traditional carbon steels for ease of taking a edge and the ability to hold it. But most of the classics' are getting too collectible to carry. So.... like Texas Star said, I usually have a Swiss army knife (Victorinox or Wenger) in my pocket, they are hard to beat. They may not be the best at anything, but they do so many things well. Don't get one with 40 blades, just 5 or 6 of the most useful, and it will be thin enough to carry in a pocket. They stay pretty sharp, cut better than you might think.