Beretta Airlight price discrepancy?

I can't see a difference. Same size, same steel, same handle.

As to the quality. I've never handled one, but from the specs it looks pretty decent, AUS6 is a decent steel, and Zytel is a good handle. The design looks ok too (I don't really like the blade profile that much, looks like it's somewhere between a drop point and a clip point).

If the fit and finish are decent, it may be worth $35... but I wouldn't pay that much for it.

edit: with a skeletonized blade and zytel handle, the knife may be a little too light for medium to hard use. I don't like light knives because I feel like they're gonna get away from me. I'm used to my heavy Kershaw and Buck 110s.
 
I have an older model Airlight, and it's a pretty decent knife. The blade is actually made from fairly thick stock, so it's not as delicate as it looks; of course, it's not intended for heavy-duty abuse, either!

Fit and finish, on mine at least, is excellent for that price range. Mine has the aluminum handle, but the shape is very comfy, and it handles well.

As for the original question, you could always call up SMKW and ask. I'm betting they just got a deal on the plain-edge version, and are passing the savings on to us. At that price, I might have to grab one myself!
 
SMKW often times have drastically low prices due to their great buying power on closeout or discontinued items. I believe the Airlight series have a new look for 05. The larger aluminum handled model will work quite well despite the somewhat novel cutout pattern in their blades. These are good lockbacks made in Japan. But it is a bit tricky to open the blade with the thumb studs- a lot of pressure from the lockback mechansim.

N.
 
I bought a bunch of these when CDNN had a sale.
I think your second link description says it has a clip. though I don't know how a clip is attached to the zytel. Mine is less than 3.5 in.
They are very nice knives at $7 for the small one. I bought a few in green and a few in yellow. I bought one large for a relative, he still has it. I didn't even know I bought that many.
They're very light, no liners and made in Japan.
 
I have one of the originals that came out in 440c, nice knife, atleast as good as a zytel handled Spyderco in terms of strudiness.
:).
 
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