For my territory a knife is going to be a hell of a lot more help to my survival than any of these other options.

While a gun would certainly be helpful in hunting, I view firearms as more of a preparation toward dealing with other people (like perhaps those who are trying to take what I've got with the gun that was their only preparation). There aren't a whole lot of people in my area who aren't difficult to avoid, so a gun isn't really much of a necessity. Plus, technically there's nothing stating how much ammunition is with that gun. If it's endless, sure, I'll go for the gun, but that's highly unlikely.

A knife can help me fashion all of the other items, or construct the means to acquire all of the other items other than a gun.

I still say a sound mind and the will to survive. Other preps on top is gravy.

Well said but I'll add that part of having a sound mind and a will to survive is to prepare and we all seem to have that.
Some are better prepared than others but all are making the effort which will stack the odds in our favor.
Human nature provides a built in will to survive. Those of us making preps just show a stronger will and a sound mind in being as ready as we can be.
Others will develope their will to survive, we already have the mindset.