I've posted about this little find a couple other spots and wanted to share with you guys too. I recently stumbled onto a company in Oregon who is bringing in knife blades from the UK and finishing them here in the states. They aren't cheap on their web page, but they have tons of them at auction on eBay, where I've bought three now. All of them have come in right around $50 delivered, which to me seems to be a great deal. Many of their blades are D2 tool steel and the ones I have are very beefy. I doubt you could really hurt these, although I haven't had a chance to really test them out. Their eBay store is here:

http://stores.ebay.com/CFK-Cutlery-Company?_trksid=p2047675.l2563

Here are a few not so great pics of the ones I've bought from them...

They aren't perfect but for the money, I think they are great knives! Not connected with them in any way, just a happy customer and wanted to pass along what I thought was a good source of quality items at a good price.

Well, maybe not. You are going to make me spend money. Some of those on ebay look like a great deal. I'm watching a few now.

I love spending other peoples money! The first one I got I liked a lot, but it was slightly big for work carry, the second one was much better but I need to make a more one hand friendly sheath for it and the Damascus one was just because I wanted a 'pretty' knife!!

They seem to stay cheap until the very end and then jump to the $50-65 range. It seems they have a good number ending each day, so you have plenty to choose from. I believe Glen Fryxell bought one recently, so hopefully we'll have some
Other feedback on them!

It's a very solidly built knife -- 1/4" D2 blade and micarta scales. It balances in the hand very nicely. The edge it came with is mediocre, but being D2 at RHC of 60+, I'm sure I can put a good edge on it. The sheath is double stitched leather, and seems to be reasonably well made (although the leather is beat up in places). The belt loop is a chintzy little cheap thing riveted in place as an after-thought. All in all, not too bad for $48!

There are other manufacturers that make very good knives in that price range, but they aren't as fancy. Companies like Becker, ESEE, even KaBar make excellent user knives in that price range, but they will cost more if you want a nice sheath and micarta scales. But that should raise flags too, because if they can't make a knife like that for that price, the imported knife might be questionable.

There is an American company that makes blade blanks in various steels, and their D2 blanks are just a little over $30, if that gives another data point for comparison.

Be very careful of imported knives with damascus blades. There are a lot of damascus blades made in places like Pakistan that look nice but they are way too soft for a real knife.

Edge needs touched up. Sheathes seem well built but belt loops are nothing to brag about. My two pouch sheaths both have simple straps
Riveted top and bottom. They'll work until they don't and then I'll make something else.