Playing a human outsider, I invested points into knife fighting, and after I laid my hands on a high quality silver boning knife
Oof. Silver is the worst material for edged weapons. Great for blunt, bad for everything else. Get yourself the next non-silver knife you can get. Quality doesn't effect a weapon's performance unless it's masterful quality.
I, too, have been playing an outsider. I went with a spear, though. Recruited a spearman in the first village. Sadly, he didn't survive his first river crossing. On the plus side, that gave me a set of clothes and a better shield and spear.
I was chased by bogeymen to the nearest town, where I found a lycanthrope's lair. Naked child. Killed with a quick spear thrust to the face. After that I felt confident. Recruited some men in the keep, grabbed some armor, and delved into the dungeons to root out the dwarves and elves living there. Lost both of my recruits and suffered minor wounds in an epic battle against about 20 of the bastards. The leader clearly outclassed me, but had made the mistake of bringing a silver battle axe to the party.
Friends don't let friends roll with silver blades.
Anyway, advice that hasn't been covered yet: once archers are out of the picture (because archers are priority #1), you want to always keep distance on your opponents. Let them come to you one at a time. They waste a turn moving, and you get to strike. When their friends are in range to hit you, move away; never let yourself get surrounded.
Barring lucky opportunities for the head, I always go for arms and legs. One good wound on each limb. If I can't wound a new limb,
then I go for the upper and lower body.