They raised prices because they switched from Resiprene-C to micarta - why the switch ? They really touted the Res-C on their home page - why not just make micarta an option with an upcharge ? And the idea of making good knives at affordable prices - good when they started out, but now they are out of reach for so many of us "common folks". As far as the secondary market goes, if someone wants to pay too much for a knife because they feel like they just HAVE to have it, well, that's their problem. (Right GF ?)
The dull edges/QC problem speaks for itself. I know they have tried to solve the waiting problem, and hope that they have. And as you know, I feel that a SHEATH knife should be sold with a SHEATH included, not optional.
If you are PAYING for a Cadillac, you shouldn't receive a Chevy engine with it. Same for the knives. Just MY two cents!