Favorite brand.... well... my avatar may give it away.

I've got about 50 of 'em. Spyderco is the Baskin Robbins of knife makers. So many flavors. I like the Spydie hole for easy one-handed opening (quicker than an auto knife in my hands). Spyderco offers a wide range of quality knives at various price points... all a good value.
My current favorite and in my pocket right now - Caly 3 CF / Damascus:
Before the Caly 3 Damascus, I carried this Paramilitary 2 CF / S90V for several months:
The rest of the family: