Probably more knives than I need on a trip. Always a rescue knife on my PFD lash tab; everyone’s PFD in the family has a rescue knife.
Always a “Mechanic” Swiss Army knife and a Leatherman, in a little waterproof pouch in my essentials bag. I carry both because it is hard to tighten a machine screw and hold a nut at the same time when the screwdriver and pliers are on the same tool. Waterproof pouch storage because I know neither, despite being “stainless steel” would fare well over time in saltwater exposure.
The one I don’t actually much need is a Spyderco Aqua Salt sheath knife. I use it mostly to slice cheese and cured meats. A beta test freebie, Spyderco’s original H1 nitrogen alloy knife. I’m glad mine is yellow, without the black handle and TiCN coating; my cheese slicing is not a tactical operation conducted with night vision goggles.
https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details/FB23BBK/Spyderco-Aqua-Salt-Black/934
That original Aqua Salt is least 10 years old, probably closer to 15, and at replacement cost the most expensive knife I’ll ever own. OK, I wouldn’t; I’d buy a dozen Opinel’s instead.
I paddle a lot of salt and tidal waters and, as a test (and because I’m lazy), I have never rinsed or cleaned it beyond wiping off the cheese film or meat grease.
Nitrogen alloy, I don’t think it
can rust. After being dissatisfied with various stainless steel PFD knives in salt water exposure I bit the bullet and sprung for a Salt Rescue for my PFD lash tab.
To this day neither shows any hint of corrosion. Spyderco claims the H1 steel is “completely impervious to corrosion”. After 10 or 15 years of neglect and salt water abuse, I believe it.