Recommendation for an inexpensive, nice traditional folder?

[Dale Gribble]

I would say get a RR and an Opinel. You'll come in well under $30 and probably have enough leftover to rent a movie.
I'm partial to an Opinel #7 myself. You may have to tune up the edge or locking ring on an Opinel a bit(YMMV), but once they're set, they're set.
All the RR knives I've seen and handled have been a heck of a bargain at the $10 that most seem to go. Or if you want to go with only 1 'nice' knife: Case Slimline Trappers or Mini Trappers are my favorite patterns.
I have a Yellow Delrin CV Slimline Trapper that I really like a lot. Slim, obviously, lightweight, and a good bit of blade length with a pointy tip. I'm still warming up to my Sodbuster, but that could be an excellent choice as well and that pattern is available from a lot of manufacturers in your price range.

 

[waltmc]

...I think I'd also like to see what all the fuss is with the Opinels. Any suggestions as to which would best suit this particular application? I wasn't aware they had so many models...

You've gotten a bunch of great suggestions, but it's good to hear that you're not overlooking the Opinels. I have a #8 in beech and a #6 in walnut, both with stainless. In the short time I've had these, not a day has gone by in which one or the other is not in my pocket. I would heartily endorse the #6 in walnut: it is basically the same size as a run-of-the mill Swiss army knife, but with a little more blade; the walnut seems to be less affected by humidity than the beech; the walnut looks nice and feels good in the hand because it has only a little finish. What coating it does have can be easily removed. It took me a long time to get on the bandwagon, but I'm a believer.

 

[Dale Gribble]

I would heartily endorse the #6 in walnut: it is basically the same size as a run-of-the mill Swiss army knife, but with a little more blade; the walnut seems to be less affected by humidity than the beech; the walnut looks nice and feels good in the hand because it has only a little finish. What coating it does have can be easily removed. It took me a long time to get on the bandwagon, but I'm a believer.

I'll second that. Opinel's stainless really changed my opinion in the Carbon vs Stainless debate. Their stainless is good stuff. I have a #6 as well, and it absolutely disappears in your pocket until you need it. It's a lot of blade in a very lightweight package. The #7 is a tad larger and feels more comfortable in my hand, but any 6,7, or 8 will serve you well. Think of an Opinel as a Slimline Trapper or Sodbuster reduced down to it's simplistic form.