I ended up choosing a limit of over $1000 for a fixed-blade. I'm including swords as fixed blades; I've seriously considered spending over a grand on a sword, and perhaps someday I'll drink that kool-aid. I know that swords aren't practical, but the biggest advantage to being single is that you don't need anyone's permission to buy whatever you want.

As far as folders go, I've spent more than $100 more often than I'd care to admit, but I don't ever see myself going over $200. My opinion is that a folder is semi-disposable. If you ever attract a cop's attention, there's a fair likelihood that he'll seize it. I've also had things fall out of my pockets, although I can't recall actually losing a knife in the last decade -- I lost a set of keys but have only misplaced knives because they've always turned up later. Still, anything that I carry won't be something that I can't accept losing.