I tend to over-pack, which means I tend to haul a bunch of crap around that I don't end up needing/using and all it does is weigh me down so I get worn-out/hotter faster. So I've learned that using a smaller pack forces you to stop and think about what you are -really- going to use, and what you really need. Needless to say, I've used
a lot of different packs trying to find the right one.
My knife has a full-retention style hard sheath, so I lash that to the left strap of my pack with the knife handle pointed down so it's handy to grab with my right hand and I have the hydration tube mounted on the right strap.
http://www.coldsteel.com/oss.htmlThe best pack I've found for dogging so far is the Camelbak Uproar.
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/i/1946P,,_CamelBak-Uproar-Backpack-with-Water-Bottle.htmlI recommend a camelbak "unbottle" or two over a bladder, but if you're going to use a hydration bladder, don't use a camelbak bladder though, get a Platypus bladder (they are 100 times better) and then put it in your pack of choice.
http://www.cascadedesigns.com/platypus/hands-free-hydration/big-zip-sl/productAs for the cut kit, get an Otterbox 2500 or Otterbox 3500 and put your medical supplies in there.
http://www.otterbox.com/waterproof-cases/otterbox-2500/
All that said, as good a system as I've found this to be, I too, am seriously considering going to something more like a molle vest, I just haven't figured that one out completely though. The idea of having just the bladder and the cut kit box on my back, and everything else up front within easy reach, is really growing on me.
I'm leaning towards the camelbak delta 5 vest but I haven't done enough research or testing to make a decision yet.
Opsgear has an interesting little tool that will let you see what several different vest manufacturers systems will look like when you've added your stuff to them:
http://www.vestbuilder.com/launch.html.
