Personally, I have 2 favorites: Gerber and Smith & Wesson. I've had a Gerber MultiPlier for several years and a few pocket knives that all stay sharp for a long time with proper maintenance, which isn't required all that often. Also, I recently purchased a Smith & Wesson knife that I'm also very pleased with.
I lean heavly towards Gerber,, I carry about 3 gerbers at a time, (Mutipliers, Fairbain folder, and LMF in my turck) All of my axes and shovels in my BOB are Gerber. I also carry Benchmaid as well.
Back when the Mutipliers were first put out by Gerber I got my hads on them as well as the (then) new hatchet. I was blown away by the fact that the littl hattchet could put out the slamming force of a 5 pound sledge hammer. I would drive in 3 inch diamiter stakes into the ground with it to build Trails for the Maine Conservation Corps, and the sucker came back for more and more.
I literaly grew up with Gerber, my first "real" knife was a gerber,, my favorite to carry was the Mark2.
so for me, my favorites are
Gerber
Benchmaide
Cold Steel
Leatherman (mutil tools are very nice but not as fast as Gerber.)