I'm sure your Wal Mart fork is very nice Sunlite Fork 26 MTB Uni Hiten 200X120X22.2X27.0 - Walmart.com, but is there a reason you are showing me steel forks?

Kinesis Maxlight (alloy) 740g http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kinesis-Maxl...8AAOSwv0tVXaac

Surly Instigator (steel) 1420g http://www.jensonusa.com/!8oGiFW8KJB...e91a&rpi=28861

This weight difference, alone, is enough to compel me to consider a welded aluminum fork. I ride on very smooth streets, so I do not need a fork that "absorbs vibration".
My road bike has a Kinesis RF28 fork. It's been there for 14 years. Although I'll put a fresh one on at the end of the year, I have nothing but good things to say about this fork. I noticed the performance difference (nimbility) immediately, when I traded out my original cromo. I love the way it flexes at high-speed, too.
I have nothing against good steel, but I despise carbon fiber. It's mushy, and feels like it's catatonic, or something. I think it owes it's existence to marketing acumen and has nothing unique to offer.
Anyway, I found Heli-bikes, who offer a decent selection of alloy forks, and even offer them in custom colors for 20 euros more. The disc brake mount on alloy forks is butt-ugly, and i do not do black, so I found a fork that doesn't have that awful flange and is not black!
You called my sanity into question. Why should I not retalliate?

Bob, to answer your question, I am not in search of a discount. The Heli-bikes proprietary (probably Kinesis) welded alloy canti 26" fork with custom color, shipped, is $165.00. That's no problem. Hey, I wish it was less, but whatever.
I'm not sure what kind of riding you did on the Alan with the "cross" canti fork, but I can not imagine my fork flexing with the utility riding I do with my MTB...to the supermarket, maybe to the next town, etc. How fast were you riding when you put on the brakes?