I've little experience with higher end knives (unemployed student), but I carry a Kershaw Vapor and I really like the design. It fits my hand well and I've only found two flaws in it, one of the screws in the handle wanting to loosen (locktight fixed that). And when its IWB the thumb catch on the blade tends to rub into my waste (I never carry IWB anyways)
For the price (20$) its a good knife, however, I don't abuse it so I'm not sure what the blade can handle and what it can't.
If I could do a bit of engineering on one I'd go with a higher quality steel, set the clip for tip up carry, file down the thumb catch a little, and add a wave system just like whats on Emerson knives. However, its a 20$ knife that's served me well for years, I can't complain. I've two of them now. If I wanted an auto knife for cheap I'd probably get a Kershaw Leak.
Kershaws customer service is top notch, and for the price they are good knives. Since your price range is all the way up to 100$ you may prefer to go with something a bit nicer however.
