Businesses must do what they need to do and that's fine. However, personally the appeal of Spyderco to me has always been that they are outstandingly ergonomic user knives at attractive prices and possibly my favorite overall brand. If I somehow break a blade though, I have to buy a new knife rather than pay a relatively small fee for a new blade and tune-up, and is something I factor into the equation. A Delica at $55 was a no-brainer for me, but heading seemingly to about $75, I'm not so sure for what the knife is. If I break mine, I'll have to think about whether I'll replace it with another Delica or a different value folder. And that may possibly apply to other models if they break or get lost...I have enough knives that I might just use my others instead of replacing them.
This was my point earlier. When you get into the pricing of ZT and Benchmade you need to offer a similar warranty. Buy either one of those brands and mess up the blade: $30.00 get's you a new blade. Benchmade will practically replace everything on the knife for free as well. Pocket clip, lock, screws, etc. ZT also sends out free parts.
I bent the clip on a Para 2 one time (fluke accident). I don't have the email any longer but a clip was going to be around 8 bucks plus shipping if I remember correctly. I just wanted a different clip for my Benchmade called CS and they sent two for free.
No doubt, I love Spyderco. A pillar in the knife world that has done so much but pricing that compares to other brands without a comparable warranty and you've lost me on most purchases.
The way I see it is, it's impossible to beat a delica's performance. If you go cheaper you can get something that does the job, just not as well. But hey that's just the way I'm looking at it. The bugout is thin slicer but more expensive. the Delica is ultimate edc for most folks.
Beat a Delica's performance? In cutting? The Bugout will match if not beat it. The geometry of the Bugout is unreal but it's not just about the Delica's performance, for me, it's about beating the value of the Delica.
The standard Delica with MAP increase only (no price increase) will be $74.72 with VG10 and a 2.56 cutting edge.
The S30v Delica is already selling for 33% off of MAP at $84.95 with a 2.56 cutting edge.
The Bugout is 114.95 and offers a 3 inch cutting edge.
So yes, the Bugout is $30.00 more than the Delica in the same steel but you get a warranty that will take care of you the rest of your life. Break the tip off of your knife the Delica now costs you over $160 if you replace it with the same model.