Sorry to be resurrecting an old thread that I started, but thanks to everyone are due.

I ended up taking sort of a middle road as to the advice you offered. Shortly after reading all your replies, I ended up picking the Bikehand tool kit, because that was what I needed and could afford to cover the basics at the time. I may not have needed a couple of items in the kit (yet,) but the ones that I use more frequently - the cassette lock ring key, the crank arm puller - have worked flawlessly so far. I've only got to use the chain splitter once, and it did its job as expected - any issues I had using it that one time were because of my rusty skill, and not due to any lack of quality in the tool itself. I haven't had an opportunity to use the bottom bracket key yet, but it seems to be just as well made as the rest of the kit. I've used the cone wrenches a few times, and they worked more than well enough - again, their quality proved to be higher than my rusty skill at the time I used them.

Afterwards, I started to buy other bike-specific tools as I needed them and when I could afford them: Park Took freewheel key, IceToolz brake cable/spoke cutter, Radon master link pliers/chain wear indicator (a discount kit)... that sort of thing. I would pick up the more generic stuff - combination wrenches, pliers... etc. - locally. Also, a local sporting goods place happens to sell some quality Super B tool kits, so I picked up a few, which have been very handy.

So, again, thank you all for the very helpful insight and advice!