Do y'all remember when...?

[Sonnydaze]

I guess that the "y'all" is a bit of a put-on, but hey, I've been down here for a long time now.
Anyway, what changes have you seen in the last few years that are rather astounding?
Several biggies occur to me just about every day.
1. There was a time when I paid in the mid-$700's (each) for a couple of XM-18's...3" slicer, 3 1/2" spanto. Nothing special about them either, (IMO) other than I wasn't fond of the way the spanto kept opening in my front pocket.

2. How about those times when you couldn't find a PM2 on the Exchange? Gosh, times sure are a'changin'.

I am no longer interested in XM's, but I kind of wish that the PM2's had kind of kept their mystique instead of being now so available at good prices. I still love 'em, however, and (finally) got my very first orange/black Spyderco PM2 CTS-XHP W/ DLC blade in today's mail. Several yrs late, but I've been wanting one that long.
Sal is really kicking out the basic S30V models in high gear these days...I guess from his new facility in Golden... What a remarkable change from just a few yrs ago!
Gotta appreciate that fellow...

3. I haven't yet plunked down any cash for these new Chinese offerings, although they are getting good ratings from some good people. I may loosen up some day...

Anyway, these are some main points that strike me now as being a real sea change...whatever that is...
Do you guys have a few to add?

 

[Charlie Mike]

Glad I never bought a XM before the Hinderer bubble burst. Now you can't give away a 3" for over $300. I got the best Hinderer ever made, ZT0392 BWBRZ.

 

[The Aflac Duck]

-I remember when Made in China wasn't a country of origin, it was a benchmark of quality (or lack of)... Oh how times have changed!

-I remember the haters during the "Britton v. Kizer" debate...and some of those Kizer-haters now own Kizers

-I remember when Russian-made knives became the "it" thing and increased in price due to oversea demands

-I remember when Mick Strider said he.... Nevermind, I won't go there

 

[Charlie Mike]

-I remember when Mick Strider said he.... Nevermind, I won't go there

Pepperidge Farm remembers

 

[The Aflac Duck]

:thumbup:

 

[katanas]

I remember when "made in Japan" meant it was junk (and much of it was back then). Now it's "China" means crap (and much of it is not). Round and round.