Okay.
But I have not found Spyderco knives to be any more expensive than those made by Benchmade or ZT, the two companies that I consider to make knives of of the same quality as Spyderco. Usually, the selling prices for Benchmade are higher than the selling prices for Spyderco. And ZT costs even more.
You may be confusing Spyderco's expensive "Sprint Run" knives with their standard line. These are limited editions and cost considerably more than the standard line. But you also have to consider Spyderco's "value" line of knives. The Tenacious is probably Spyderco's most popular knife right now and it's available for less than $40 from many retail outlets. Where is the $40 Benchmade or ZT? While the Japanese Spydercos have increased in price due to increased costs involved with the Japanese economy, you can still buy a current classic Delica for less than $60. Again, not much offered in the Benchmade and ZT lines for $60. Furthermore, if you look closely at the Taichung Taiwan produced Spydercos you will find the quality to rival that of custom knives for the price of a higher end production model. It's hard to complain about value when you consider these facts.
Granted the PM2 prices are currently premium. That's due to supply and demand. There just ain't enough of them to satisfy the demand so retailers can tack on that premium to their selling prices. Right now Spyderco is in the midst of an expansion project at its Golden, CO, plant and that's causing delays in production in their USA-made models that is affecting supply.
I guess you can call me a Spyderco fanboy (and I am...along with Benchmade and ZT and several others) but I'm just trying to point out a few facts that might have been overlooked.
I think if you nit pick you can find flaws. My guess is you haven't handled many high end or LE knives at all. But whatever.
$40 Chinese made folder: Spyderco. ($10 to make or less)
$40 USA made knife: Kershaw.
Kershaw wins.
Paramilitary 2 (If you can find): $110~-$120.
ZT 0770: $130-$140: Way better bang for your money. CF Scales. Lighter. Smaller. Better blade geometry for EDC.
ZT Wins in my opinion.
Spyderco Southard: $240-$260 G10, titanium CTS 204P. Horrid blade geometry (4mm stock, that tapers with an aggressive hollow grind makes it a POOR performer).
ZT 0801: $198~ (can be found much cheaper): Titanium framelock, steel insert, elmax steel, flipper (way better than the Southard). Fit and finish is just as good, if not better. USA made. Cheaper
ZT wins.
Spyderco is the epitome of value in the production knife world. To say that BM is a better bang for the buck is about as far fetched as it gets. Enforcing their foolish MAP rule last year spoke volumes for the company. They want more money from us but they don't want to give us more anything (ie better QC , better steels etc.). Such a joke.
A 707 Sequel , 154CM and Axis = $140. Manix2 with S110V and BBL (plus a whole lot bigger and beefier) for $110. This is a prime example.
You would have been better off using a comparison of a grip vs this. But I guess I commend you for not taking the lowblow route.
Axis mechanism> Manix 2 caged ball lock. I'd advise doing your own hard use/abuse testing. (See my hard use video, you will see the CBL fail). I've yet to make an Axis fail, or break an omega spring (broke one but that was my fault).
Aluminum scales> Cheap Plastic scales (trust me their weak as hell compared to G10 or Aluminum).
Collaboration with a known maker vs in-house design.
Dependable warranty of Benchmade vs not so dependable Spyderco (You better hope they got parts or remember to you know actually send you the parts they promised?)
Their MAP pricing doesn't make Benchmade more money. It makes dealers more money, and helps even out competition between the little or big guy. I am not sure if you were aware but companies like BladeHQ, Knifecenter could easily sell Grips for $70 free shipping all day long. A small local knife shop cannot do this and would have to try sell benchmade at reduced profit, meaning often times they don't restock as often.
I have found myself buying more in brick and mortar since Benchmade's decision of MAP pricing.
So far the B&M stores everywhere I go have said: Kershaw, and Benchmade are their #1 sellers so it doesn't seem to have hurt sales as bad as it seems. It likely would hurt online sellers.
I have also heard a lot of complaints from dealers about Spyderco. Mostly warranty related issues where their customers are not being helped by Spyderco, might have to do with their expansion who knows.
If it holds the knife in your pocket, it IS a pocket clip. 
And regardless, doesn't spyderco replace clips for little to no cost anyway? I personally believe the wire clip is an amazing innovation in the departments of weight and concealment. 
Either IWB or in my back pocket
