I carry 4 knifes. One is a small Swiss Army type that stays in First Aid kit. Has the scissors/tweezers/magnifying glass etc.

2nd is my little personal knife, about 6" over all. It's in a Kydex sheath, that clips inside the right side cargo pocket of my paddling pants. Out of the way wearing a pack, but easy to grab when needed. I like a straight blade over a folder, unless you can open the folder with one hand. The Kydex sheath is nice, Locks the knife securely so you don't end up looking for your blade. I use this for opening food packages, cutting line, 90% of everyday chores.

The 3rd blade is a Gerber blade that is now discontinued ( figures)
It's similar to the River Shorty they still sell. but has a partially serrated triangle shape blade that's pointed instead of blunt. Comes with a one hand Kydex sheath, with a safety button you depress to remove it. Has bright yellow Neoprene handle for sure grip when wet and high visibility. This is attached to my survival gear fanny pack that stay close at all times on water.

4th is a 6' Gerber fillet knife.  I also have my camp saw and small camp axe.
Sure I could get by with far less, but they don't really weigh that much, probably about the same as a larger axe or machete would. I'm a knife fan.  I just like the feel of a good blade in my hands, Sort of brings out the "wild" in me

One thing I wouldn't do, is bring ANY knife that I couldn't afford or bear too lose I have a few knifes my late Father left me, that HE made from old lumber saw mill blades. I take them car/wilderness camping, but would never risk them on a canoe trip.
 Same philosophy as many of us have in regard to fishing rods/reels.

I bring my Leatherman multi-tool and a KA-BAR USMC 5-1/4". I've had the old ka-bar on every trip, it's a tough knife and use it for everything from splitting small logs to filleting fish, and it's not too large to carry. The Multi-tool has obvious uses, but the wire cutters saved my thumb from being torn to shreds when me and an big northern were hooked together on opposite ends of a Rapala. Now I keep close at all times.

I have the same Russel belt knife that I've carried for the past 40+ years.  I carry it mostly out of habit because truth be known I don't actually use it that much.  I also got a Benchmark folding fillet knife this year which I hope will do the trick.  The most important thing I carry with regards to knives is a DMT Diafold Sharpening stone.  Very small, handy and easy to use.  A dull knife is not only useless but more likely to cause a nasty accident.