My EDC is an Opinel #6. It'll do most everything, save split wood. Next choice is my first knife, a BSA special with two blades, an awl and a bottle/can opener. I got the latter in 1973 when I was a Cub scout. Neither one is too fancy, and both fit readily in my hand. I've filleted fish, sliced apples, cheese and tomatoes, cut rope and flowers.
What kind of look are you going for? A folder like a Buck knife, or something more tactical? Something with two or three blades, like a Case knife? A Bowie knife? A fixed blade Canada special with the stack of leather rings for the handle?
Or something altogether different? I saw a guy take a generic knife blank, then made a silicone mold for the handle. He ended up embedding a fishing lure in epoxy, then buffed it to a clear glass finish. That could be adapted a bajillion ways.