a poor quality sword could feel good to you and a high quality sword could feel awkward to you. The trick is finding a high quality sword that feels good to you, matches your physical characteristics well. Then you have a quality piece that you can learn to use well, and can be expected to stand up to proper use.
Again I would have to agree with Flying Crane - one of the best things you can do as a JSA student is handle as many different types of swords as possible - as well as learn what you can about the properties and tolerances they work with and within.
The thing I see commonly - both in the JSA world and the bladesmithing/knifemaking world is people failing to develop a base, foundational understanding of knives/swords, steels and their properties. One commonly hears 'What's the BEST steel/sword/knife?' asked. If there was an answer, we'd be making one type of blade, from one type of steel. The reason for the diversity is the inherent nature of steels and blades; everything is a tradeoff. The first thing you learn making blades is the nature of this tradeoff - the harder you make a blade (to hold a sharp edge) the more brittle it will become. The tougher you make it... the softer the steel will be. This tradeoff continues and repeats in many places when you think about it; make a blade thicker - stronger - and you make it heavier and more cumbersome, while lighter it will be inherently weaker.
The traditional folded tamahagane kobuse/san mai approach achieved a wonderful result from an average source of steel, but the beauty of hada and even hamon are a result of this 'working with what you got' process. Modern steels are far superior, as are modern heat treat methods. But you won't get as pretty a blade making a Japanese sword from L6 steel treated to create a bainitic/pearlitic blade, even if it is exceedingly tough.. and it won't be a nihonto, if that matters to you.
Ultimately, price point is only indicative. And performance is entirely subjective, in many ways. A cheap Chinese production blade may feel like a 'katana shaped crowbar' yet be far superior in terms of cutting performance and durability than an antique nihonto. So what's important? Balance, feel.. performance.. aesthetics? For me all of those matter, and essentially you are going to pay for how well the smith (and/or other artisans) has balanced those elements.
Best of luck finding your shinken - I'd love to hear any updates in future.