my low end favorite would be the kershaw emerson cqc6. great little beater for 21$...l
Mine too, currently. Holy crap, that knife comes out fast, eh? Also comfortable to hold to boot!
I may pick up the cqc-4XL as well as it's a bit longer and maybe the tanto 7k.
Lower end folder (not SAK or Opinel): HARNDS Nyx
That is essentially the Kershaw Brawler. I just gave one to a friend of mine. Decent budget folder, from a company that stands behind it.