I know it is very hard to narrow it down to just one or two of your favorite knife manufactures but try! If necessary give a top 3. It can be a custom knife maker or a factory maker, any and all are welcome!
I would have to say...
1. ColdSteel- They are making some of the most high quality knives at an affordable price.
2. Ka-Bar- They too are also making awesomely affordable blades.
3. Its a Tie between Spyderco and SOG for me... A bit more expensive but totally worth every penny.
1) CRKT - the M16 line. I'm a Rural Brigade Fire Department Chaplain and CRKT's fire fighter's knife is perfect!
2) Marble - From my days as a kid with my first "real knife."
3) Queen Cultlery - the knife I use for whittling. The No. 9 suits small mods. for a great whittler, and they suit my hand size for long sessions without tiring. Can't beat good ol' D2 steel.
I realise these don't neccesarily fall into tactical category; but each brand supplies knives that I would be happy to "survive with" at a pinch.
EMERSON KNIVES...Enerst Emerson makes some BAD@SS knives. I have several of his CQC-7s, Commanders, CQC-8, Karambit, Raven, and SpecWar A. I plan on getting a CQC-15 and CQC-T.