At some point there's very little difference between products that are good enough. And after that point? You're into the territory of people like Best Made Company.
$250 for an ax? (http://www.bestmadeco.com/products/american-felling-axe-cour...)
vs $160 (http://www.traditionalwoodworker.com/4-lb-Splitting-Axe-with...)
vs $35 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Seymour-AX-3-3-5-Lb-36-Single-Bit-Mi...)