I have wondered a lot about the same question. It is intrigueing (sp) to me.
I have to say that the collaboration I feel worst about is Darrel Ralph's collaboration on the Impulse with Outdoor Edge. It is taken from the Krait, which was a limited production knife by Darrel that was highly praised by many. And, from what I can tell, it simply hasn''t sold very well for OE. (I'd love to be wrong about that.) I can't help but wonder if it wasn't priced too low. I think it is a heck of a knife, with style up the gumpstump, and a very useful knife to boot.
Now the Paragee has disappointed in sales. This has led OE to at least temporarily get out of the collaboration business. How 3 such great knives could apparently fail -- counting Kit Carson's Magna -- I'll never understand. I have all 3 and would have automatically bought any others the company put out. I'm really puzzled by the failure of the clip depression on the Magna and Impulse to catch on with other makers/manufacturers. Granted, it pretty much eliminates ambidexterity, but it completely removes the clip from the grip equation, allowing a much wider variety of grips/hand positions than most other folders. Last but not least, the thumb grooves on the bottom of the Magna make holding the knife upside down much easier. The only production knife I've ever heard of with that feature.
What is most imcomprehensible to me is that all of them are quality knives.
Sorry for the sideways rant.
