All purpose nikon lens?

How about the 35mm nikon lens for all purpose lens?

Maybe, but it is a prime lens so is limiting. You have to move away or toward the subject in order to compose your shot.

Most people use the 18-200 mm VR as the single lens solution for a cropped sensor camera or the 28-300 mm if using a full frame dSLR

I would go with the 18-200

I agree, that prime lens isn't going to get wide angle shots, like an 18mm end of a zoom lens. It also won't get that far away subject that you just can't get close to, think wildlife, While you have asked about Nikon lenses, how about a third party lens that fits the Nikon. I bought the Tamron AF 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD lens for my Nikon D90.It has further reach than the Nikon 18-200mm lens and sells for less.
http://www.amazon.com/...004FN1W28/

For 95% of my shots I'm perfectly happy with the 18-200mm VR lens on my Nikon D90.

When I bought my first film SLR, the only lens of choice was a 50mm, and perhaps a 135mm and 28mm prime. It is fascinating that these days it seems like if every millimeter of focal length is not covered that people go nuts.

A concept called "zoom with your feet" with a 35mm prime on a DX camera works very well for the mid ranges.

I have a 18-200mm Nikon that I use for travel, but it is clearly not as good as my other lenses. Still, it works good enough as a daylight lens, which is what I use mostly for travel.

For my better lens setup, I have a Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8, a Nikon 35mm f/1.8 prime, and a Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8. While 3 lenses are bulky, especially the 8-200, they are optically superior to my 18-200.

For travel use, I'm willing to swap the optical superiority for the convenience of a lightweight, all-in-one lens. I have to stop down to f/8 on the 18-200 to match the sharpness of the other lenses, but in daylight conditions, f/8 is where you want to be with either lens anyway.

http://www.althephoto.com