Check out Ergo Chef. I have a couple of their's and like the feel in your hand. Steel seems to be good as well. They sometimes have seconds at a greatly reduced price. They are supposed to have blemishes, but I haven't found them on my knives. But for budget, I'll echo the Dexter/Russel, Victrinox, and Forschner knives. I've owned the Ole Hickory knives and they are carbon steel, so extra care with them to keep from rusting.Supposedly easier to sharpen and hold an edge better than stainless. Got rid of them because of the rusting issue.
Robert