HUGE +1 <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

I love mudders, but I still prefer a well shaped micarta handle.
And bottom line is that mudders SHOULD be WAY cheaper than micarta!!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

The S5's blade in SR-101 on the RMD's handles (skeletonized)!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crossfingers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crossfingers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" />

And satin SR-101 Swamp Rat RMD with micarta should cost LESS than the S5LE did. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

.

Sorry guys,
I think a $200 INFI with mudder handle is right on. I passed on the SAR4 and 8 because of price and general "what's it fore". I just got my Okiden sheath
bringthe knife and sheath to over $250. But that puts it right in with my cpm154 Bravo1 and my Okiden Sharp Thingy II, D2 Dog Skinner. Those are three of my favorite hunting knives and the INFI SC5 will be right in that group. And Satin INFI beats anything coated.
Ron Athay

+1

Regardless of how I felt the S5LE was priced, people wanted it and people paid for it. I got left out..... end of story.

I just hope it isn't a trend either. And we get back to "Superior" performance to value and all. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crossfingers.gif" alt="" />

.

I remember that the "First" DMLE going for "Twice" the price of the CG on that one too. .... and being dissappointed than as well that getting "SATIN" was WAY too expensive. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Luckily, satin hasn't always been so rediculously priced. Must be some confusion created when seeing Jerry charge $200 - $330 more for satin. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

.

Just to set the record straight, I am not saying that the S5LE was overpriced. Satin INFI is never cheap no matter the handle. I am just saying that I would be as happy with it in Busse's 154CM at a lower price and that I hope more future scrappers are made in SR101 and 154CM and priced closer to $100 than $200. As wonderful as INFI is, I probably don't really need it anyway. I have several Busses, but I like my Swamp Rats and Scrap Yards as much.

Sorry Ron. I disagree. I don't need INFI level toughness in a knife that size and I don't feel a mudder handled (Res-C rubber stuff - SHOULD be cheap even if I like it) should cost $200.

I can buy custom $200 knives with finer quality handle materials, satin finish, VERY worthy quality steel AND that come with a sheath for $200!!!!!!

My Bravo1 in A2 and my Dog Skinner cost WAY less!... and my Bravo1 came with a sheath.


I don't care to "compare" the S5LE to the SAR4 or SAR8 just because they are all INFI. The SAR4 and SAR8 were FREAKIN WAY HIGH priced!... IMO.

I look at the S5LE and see a Res-C handled satin knife. If it had been satin SR-101, I feel it should have only been about $10 - $20 more than the $99 for the CG. INFI just doesn't offer much over SR-101 on the S5 other than corrosion resistance.

As Vic says, that could have been offered in 154CM for under $100.

So, any way I slice it, $200 for INFI was unjustified IMO.

I was willing to pay up to $150 or so - "Maybe" $160 for the S5LE in INFI..... But, obviously others were willing to pay more. Personally, I think it was the Kool Aid that drove the S5LE prices.

Some people might need some "Kool Aid" therapy.

If Scrap Yard pricing starts to mirror or somehow start to reflect Busse/INFI pricing, my days here probably need to become more limited. - For now, I am holding on to the belief that maybe the S5LE was just priced to reflect INFI.

But, speaking for myself, if that is how INFI pricing is going to be, OTHER people can have INFI. I will PASS!

Swamp Rat used to be a value, but prices have gone up with micarta scales.

My finances are tight. So, speaking for myself, I am going to have to keep my eye on what is "Really" a value. And pass on Kool Aid inspired deals.

.

I wish they would cater to the demographic that likes $140 DFs and actually sell them to the people on this site instead of lumping them in with busse ganzas. I cried when I got out of the hospital and found out that the DDF was ganzed and gone before I even heard about them. To have to pay an extra $100 to some jerk who is profiteering because he can afford the upfront cost of buying them out is a shame.

As for the S5 LE, I would have rather seen a coated and non-numbered version of INFI for ~$50 less so more of us can afford it and those who wanted to can satin finish it themselves. Maybe this will happen in a SE version but I think I am just dreaming. I probably still would have ordered one if it had been a full flat grind instead of saber, I know its personal preference but for ~$200 at my income level I better get exactly what I want.

My Busse Combat benchmark is the FBM; I bought them at release from the Company Store and paid from $367.00 (for black/black std Micarta FFFBMs) to $452.00 (for urban gray/blue & red mag G10 FFFBMs). I know it's been a little over two years ago, but whenever I see a knife that approaches those prices, I have to ask myself, "Is this really as much knife as one of my FBMs?" If the price is more like $500 ($509.50 being the average [pre-shipping] price I paid for two NMFBMs last year) I compare whatever I'm looking at to a NMFBM.

At Scrap Yard, I've had two benchmarks: the Dog Father and the SS4. While its true that the S5LE was more expensive than the SS4, it's both a more substantial knife, and it has a much higher level of finish. Based on those factors, I considered it a good value, even though it did push the pricing envelope. While SR-101 may be comparable to INFI in a mid-size blade under a purely "practical use" criteria, even "scrap" INFI will carry a premium. I considered it worthy of buying five, although I also recognize that the price was high for much of Scrap Yard's primary customer base (younger folks who have not yet built up their income, middle aged folks with family commitments, or older folks who may be retired -- customers who want quality knives, but are also price conscious). Bang for the buck, there's little doubt that the S5CG was a better value -- the LE won't outperform the CG by as much as the ratio of their prices, but it'll look prettier doing it.

I was happy to see the S5LE, although I debated whether to buy any because I already had several S5CGs. However, compared to other INFI blades having similar specs of lengths, thickness, and finish, it's an exceptional value. I'm sure that Dan is knows his customers and that he'll return to his "bread and butter" price-to-performance oriented releases, but it was nice to have a "premium" release that even grabbed the attention and respect of Hogs. The Scrap Yard Mission Statement remains unchanged.

i can see what vic is trying to say and i agree.

but like bruce said i do believe the S5LE was the exception to the rule.

business aspect, if dan sold out of S5LEs than im happy! hopefully he made a good profit and hopefully some goes back into SYKCO

Well I sure started a mess. On a brighter note, I absolutely love my S5CG. I have put it through some really tough use on some very hard wood, and it is still as sharp as it was before. My S5LE is still in its cardboard and at this rate, it will likely stay there. It's not like I'm going to wear the CG out. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I am thrilled to have purchased my first (and final) INFI blade. Price/performance ratio is a paramount consideration for me too (I'm one of those presently living on retirement), so like a lot of you guys, I will limit future purchases to SR-77, SR-101, and 154 CM.

While reading this thread I've been fondling the S5LE in one hand and my RMD in the other. I sure see the what Horn Dog and KnifeGuy and others are alluding to.

I am going to put one of my two S5CGs on BF to help cover some of that 'premium' cost for the INFI S5.