I bought my first Spyderco in the early 90s at a Military BX. It was so light, and futuristic. The 'Spyder Edge' looked viscous, and cut like a razor-saw.
I couldn't understand why Spyderco would put a plastic (Bic pen) pocket clip on a nasty, fully serrated knife.
I have had a "knife problem" since 2010, and Spyderco is definitely a big part of the problem. They had/have lots of offerings in my favorite price range: $50-$100.
My 'value knife' favorites:
Ambitious, Cara Cara, Centofante, Delica, Dragonfly Frn, Dragonfly G-10, Endura, LW Manix, Manix G-10, Manix XL (used to be $90s), Matriarch 2, Native S35v Frn, Pacific Salt (used to be $70s), Paramilitary (used to be $90s), Para 3 Frn, Persistence, Police SS (used to be $90s), Resilience, Sage 1 ( used to be $105), Stretch (used to be $70s),Tenacious.