It's difficult sometimes Bernie to place a finger on what exactly makes one knife better than another or at least a better value, if nothing else. One of the "problems" with SF selling knives, in the eyes of a lot of enthusiasts, is that there is a lot of pre-existing competition. These aren't "complicated" devices and so there's really no way of hiding intrinsic value under the skin somehow. Knives are easier to directly compare, because they all use a measurable blade steel, handle material and lock system. Beyond that is mostly style and ergonomics so if they fall a bit short in that area it's considered a large deficit. When you compare the features, styling, and material of a $80 Kershaw for example to a Delta, there's really nothing about the Delta that I'd rather have over the Kershaw. Surefire uses some fairly exotic styles which sometimes compromise usability, whether it be a handle feature or a characteristic of the blade shape or a combination of each.
I was recently looking at the LEO model and thought that the thumb stud was way too close to the pivot point and didn't provide much leverage when opening. The pocket clip uses a single screw which is a real turn off and the mechanical arm for chopping flex cuffs just seems oddly redundant since a sharp blade goes through them like butter anyhow. I say, just make it a recessed safety cutter and leave the mechanics out of it. Lastly, I just don't think a finger guard is necessary on a knife it's size and it just further uglifies an already unconventional blade style. The cut at the top edge seems odd and I'm trying to understand what if any advantage it provides. If they have to stick with that blade shape, why not do something useful like a full flat grind? And the Delta.....well, I'm wondering what person at SF made the decision to release it for sale with that phillips style pivot screw and round head, protruding, slotted handle screws.:green: I mean, don't they guys read the magazines, reviews, or accidentally stumble across the styling cues of other modern, tactical folders? Do they know what a torx is?
If their knives were half the price at least I could put them on a table together and start comparing them feature for feature but at the price point they carry now it's sort of become the standing giggle in that not many take them too seriously. I think many SF knives are purchased by name association alone thinking that because it's a SF, "it must be the best." The fact is, they're well behind the cool curve in an age where the image of a $100 "working" knife is favored by a larger percentage of buyers. For example, most people would rather be the proud owner of a RAT RC-4 than a Surefire Echo and where people want something more upscale, they can move to a BRKT, Fallkniven or any number of choices that will cost from 1/3 - 2/3rds the amount of the SF with no sacrifice performance.
I think SF would do well to collaborate with a big name custom maker and then license them under the custom makers name. I'm only guessing but I would think that a few makers would love to be associated with SF. The thing is, SF would have to take a back seat and let the knife guy do what they do best.