I'm going to suggest that, as long as the market is driven by fashion, the knives are going to be more decorative than functional. I think we're starting to see a small movement here on this forum that suggests that may be changing. We want an economical functional knife enough that we're willing to make it ourselves. Cold Steel got closest, maybe it's time they tried again.

I'd also suggest that it's not likely that there is much significant difference in quality on any of the ebay knives under $50. The real difference is presentation, either by manufacturer or the seller. Really, Windlass knives from India are more realistic, traditional and cost less than the ones from Scotland. It shouldn't be that way but that's the truth of it.

I have six here and I'm about to sell four of them. Two are from Scotland, so they say. One from India, best guess, and one from China. The latter two are the better, although none is what I would call a good knife. I am such a lousy salesman.

(I'm not going to follow the trail of the Highland tool idea, that's been covered in other threads and I don't think it's where you want to go here.)