Well, I finally got a Vesuvius, and overall I like it a lot. The blade shape is great, the edge terrific (as usual), and the compression lock is neat. The handle material and the inlay are where I'm a little disappointed, but it's understandable in such a reasonably priced knife. The celluloid "pearl" is not as nice as I had hoped, and the material was proud of the handle on one end, and below it at the other.
Here's my neat idea- what about a deluxe version with nicer handle material with a better finish (carbon fiber, micarta, whatever). You then also give people the option of sending you inlay material. Charge whatever it costs to deal with these unknowns. I have some maple flooring from my father's store- I'm sure everyone has something appropriate that holds a special appeal. And you'd be providing something that even Chris Reeve doesn't.
Here's my neat idea- what about a deluxe version with nicer handle material with a better finish (carbon fiber, micarta, whatever). You then also give people the option of sending you inlay material. Charge whatever it costs to deal with these unknowns. I have some maple flooring from my father's store- I'm sure everyone has something appropriate that holds a special appeal. And you'd be providing something that even Chris Reeve doesn't.