Quoted By:
I've said it in other threads but I highly recommend a 4.5" drop point or spear point (such as a kephart) paired with a light folding camp saw.
This is a very light weight combo that will accomplish everything a backpacker needs. Exceptions being hacking your way through a dense wet jungle or building a permanent shelter in the woods; either having better tools available for the job than a giant knife.
Plus carrying a big knife like that will just get you strange rooms from people you pass on trails. I know, I started out with a knife. Horace Kephart had it right over a 100 years ago and similar to his design are a lot of these "bushcraft" knives you see these days.
For example, pic related is Less Stroud's Helle branded knife. This classy fucker will fulfill every need you could want from a knife and win you the adoring admiration of rugged outdoorsman and liberals alike.
As for the saw vs hatchet, I like saws because they do what I need, more quietly, more cleanly and pack smaller and lighter. If you really want to take a hatchet...whatever man.