“Good” is as subjective here as it is anywhere else. Obviously many people have recommended chef knives around $50 or less and consider them good so it absolutely can be done. I have tried many of the suggestions here and agree with them! Great places to start at your price point. One of my favorite chef knives was an old hickory knife that I found at a yard sale for $1. It may not bring the oohs and awes that others may bring but I find most people could care less about how special my chef knives are (frankly the novelty is gone for me also) and I end up grabbing old hickory over the expensive ones most of the time. Sharp as can be and well balanced with some age. A lot like me.