ESEE 4 Fixed Blade Series

For a good price point, Ontario, Ka-Bar and Mora are great options.

I have no insight into the process of how knives are made, but labor is expensive! It also seems like this is the going price for similar knives. But considering the simplicity it does seem expensive.

I understand your point. I was only thinking of 1095 steel (inexpensive), lazer or waterjet cut blanks, a temper along with some grinding and sharpening followed up with micarta type slab handles. All that shouldn't add up to $100. A nice knife like a Randall, Treeman or a Ruana is a different story, being hand made and not mass produced.