To add another element, alongside the Ontario Rat option, if point of origin isn't a deal breaker, some of the "made in China companies have been really doing a good job at making quality knives that are affordable. Something like a Real Steel Sidus or CIVIVI Incite or Dogma in D2? Knives that still have some fancier styling points to them, not "just" another knife, but still well built from companies that have certainly been dispelling the old "made in China automatically = crap" myth, if anything else.
Or, yet still another option would be to go the sharpener route, like a sharpmaker, and pair with a small keychain knife like a Swiss Army Classic (available in a plethora of patterns, find one that suits him perfectly), or a leatherman cs.
Or, go with a cheaper sharpening system, like a Smith's 3-in-1 field sharpener, (a poor man's sharpmaker if you will), and pair that with a more basic and rugged user knife that still holds some brand recognition like a Basic Ontario Rat, ESEE Avispa (available in a variety of handle color at knifeworks.com), one of the Kershaw CQC's or Natrix, or even a Kabar Jarosz Beartooth... Maybe even pair the cheaper sharpener w/ a cheaper, but still quality rugged basic knife, AND a Swiss Army classic keychain knife that suits his style perfectly. Make it a trifecta?
*(could even with the money saved, pay the little extra to have the knife engraved with his initials or something short & sweet and meaningful at one of the dealers that offer laser engraving services, again, like knifeworks?)
Just a few more options to choose from... obviously you'll know his style and his wants and needs better then us, but tons of great options still to choose from in that $100 or less range to still make a knife knerd smile...
