I have tried to get the #408 K-P in S30V steel since I first saw it on the front of the '07 Buck catalog. After many delays, I have finally bought one. They seem to be available from several sites - some listed as low as $94 - check the internet - and 'real' stock status. Some folks advertise a low price - but have no stock - and don't have a firm delivery date. They are available now.
I was visiting a local sporting goods dealer, 'Mark's Outdoors', and they had both the fixed #408 I have and the folder #419 - at $160 and $150, respectively (MSRP!). I looked over the 419 carefully - it is as beautiful - scarey sharp - and feels as 'right' in the hand as the fixed #408 I have had now for a bit. My only complaint is purely from my visual inspection - the liner lock, although perfectly mated to the blade in the one I saw yesterday, just doesn't look as substantial as I thought it should. The bright brass continues from the finger guard to line the blade opening and end at the hilt, setting the rosewood scales off perfectly. Replacing the rosewood with some pink Dymondwood would make it look more appropriate in a bordello. As is - perfect... but a change in scales would be scarey. I will get one - after Christmas.
Back to the fixed blade #408 K-P - and comparing it to a more classic Euro hunter - a Puma 'White Hunter', like the 20+ year old like new one my wife recently shocked me with. The White Hunter has stag scales - but a through blade/hilt construction compares with the K-P #408, as does the riveted scales. The W.H. has a NS finger guard, while the K-P has brass. The fineness of the construction goes to the K-P, while the natural 'feel' goes there as well. The price - well, you can buy two list price #408s for what some folks get for a Puma White Hunter these days. That should be reversed... the K-P is that nice!
Stainz
