As others have said, it's tough to go wrong with the Spydercos or Benchmades in the better steels like S30V/ZDP189 etc. 154CM and VG10 are good too at the lower price points. The Griptilian is a very popular Benchmade that is available in a bunch of different configurations at prices that won't break the bank.

Kershaw also makes some nice knives, especially if you like an assisted opener or flipper. The JYDII is a really solid, very cost effective knife in the Sandvik 13C26 steel or even better in the new composite 13C26/D2 blade.

A lot of pocket knife decisions can be boiled down to just a few choices: 1) Blade steel, 2) Blade length, shape, and serrations or not 3) opening method (and assisted or not), 4) locking mechanism (Walker, framelock, Axis, etc.), 5) handle length and shape, 6) handle material. Figure out these 6 things and you'll know what knife to buy <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />