Questions on blades/blanks

[Rusty Snuffers]

I'm looking to buy a few blades to make hunting knives as gifts for my brothers and some kitchen knives for my wife.  I've been looking at several suppliers' websites and a certain *cough* auction site and the options seem almost limitless with regards to price, steel types and styles.  I've seen folks here at the Gang talk about heat treating and the RC rating.  What's considered a "good" RC rating for a hunting knife?  Is there a big difference between a blade that's rated RC54-56 and one rated RC56-58?  Are there any types of steel I should stay away from if I'm just adding some wood and a bit of file work?

I really like my Helle blade and there's a good chance I'll just stick with those but I would like to broaden my options with regards to shapes and styles.  I'm not looking to break the bank, but I don't want to go too cheap either.  Do any of you know of good online suppliers of relatively low-cost/high-quality blades for guys that aren't ready to forge and grind their own?

As always, thanks folks.
Rusty

[Ragnarok Forge]

Stay away from fleabay.  Most of the blanks on there are crap.  Buy from a reputable supplier.

[kuch]

The late Bob Engnath had a niche and was superb. Try Texas knifemaker's supply ,K&G, or Pop's

[Rusty Snuffers]

K&G as in KnifeandGun.com?

EDIT: I sent a request for info from K&G on where their blades are made and where the steel comes from.  Anyone know?  I wasn't able to find any info online.

Thanks as always.
Rusty

[Bladepeek]

Two Finger Knife Co makes some very nice, fairly reasonable blades. The have a web site  http://www.twofingerknife.net/TFK/HOME.html  They list their stuff on the unmentionable auction site and usually have quite a variety, mostly damascus. I had an order for 7 identical blades that I didn't have the time or inclination to grind (didn't like the design). The person who ordered them specified they had to be made from BG-42, so I bought the steel, had TFK grind them and I polished, file worked and then had them heat treated by Paul Bos. They did really nice work.
Ron