CRKT has become my favorite company for budget knives. In addition to their small fixed blades, they make some outstanding folders as well. The M16 line and M18 line are some of the best reasonable priced knives around. I have a zytel M16 that I paid $29 for new. I cannot think of another $30 knife that can top this one. The steel is Aus 6A which is not my favorite, but is far superior to generic steels. The higher end M16 knives are made with Aus8 which is considered by many to be the poor man's ATS34. A really good "semi-stainless" steel.