What to buy?

[KingMC]

Elmax Blur, Kizer Ki423, Manix 2 Lightweight in S110V, Stretch in ZDP-189, Buck Marksman, H&K 14715, Cold Steel Recon 1 in XHP, Ritter Griptilian in M390, Paramilitary 2 and Yojimbo 2 are all great knives and all in your price range. The hard part is narrowing it down.

I second the Stretch ZDP, the one I have is already performing better than my ZDP delica, which is really impressive considering how much I love the Delica.

If you can manage it, a BM 950 Rift is a great middle-range knife.

 

[blades&wrenches]

Any specific criteria? Many good options in that range.
Spyderco Manix 2
Spyderco PM2
HK 14715 or 14716
BM Griptilian
ZT 0566
ZT 0770
Spyderco Native 5