I take either a multi tool or a knife. Scissors don't do the job. The little nail scissors just mangle whatever I'm trying to cut.

I cut stuff - cord for tie outs or shoe laces, webbing, moleskin, tape that's too tough to tear. Whittled a spoon once. Used the knife to shave off a sharp toenail projecting over the end of the toe. Fishing line or cleaning fish is easier with a blade, as is chopping off the tail and head so it'll fit in a pot when I'm above treeline and can't make a fire. Opened a can once...

I think a knife is one of those things that you can't really make do, if you really really need one. It would be pretty bad being left holding a bunch of tubular webbing you had to cut and trying to do it with your teeth.