I think in the Ontario line the D2 versions of the RAT retail for around $50 and the AUS 8 versions are around $40. I was surprised to see they have a RAT 1.5 in Magnacut for under $100 which, depending on heat treat, might be an amazing deal.

What terrible progress the Chinese could make overnight if only they could figure out how to apply all this know-how, all this skill, this mastery of mass production to an original design for once.

This is essentially what We/Civivi/Sencut are doing, at least from my perspective. They’re working with real designers (in addition to in-house designs) for their knives. Now, I am not a fan of their “flood the market” approach to things, but they certainly apply their manufacturing skills to make some pretty darn good knives. (This sounds very astroturf-y when I re-read it. Not intended to be that.)

Room service just sent this up. To cut the limes.

“There is nothing in the world more helpless and irresponsible and depraved than a man in the depths of a knife buying binge.”