If there is hesitation in proudly permanently engraving and advertising the manufacturing location, it might be worthwhile to pause and consider the overall SLN and V54 brand. Getting as many V54 lights into the hands of as many people as possible is a worthy goal which I can respect, and that mission would require one set of design and manufacturing choices. That mission would put V54 in direct competition with almost every other flashlight manufacturer, and demand that the lights compete partially based on their price. If done right, it might result in a company with more impressive volume numbers and higher profit, with lower per-light profit margins. There are of course risks with this branding approach, which can all be addressed and mitigated as production ramps up from boutique-level volumes up to levels that would be competitive with larger manufacturers.
Another approach would be to be very clear that the brand represents "no compromises," and does not compete on price. Some people will always gripe about the price, but the mission of the brand would be more to recruit brand loyalists who are attracted to vertical integration, customization, innovation, personal service, and the artistic nature of the lights. There are of course other examples of successful manufacturers (lights and other products) which have made this choice and are successfully unapologetic about price and low volumes.
And, of course, it isn't a binary choice--there are infinite combinations of strategies. One method that companies use is of course to have different products. For example, the "SLN Genesis" brand could be defined as "the highest performance built-to-order 21700 P60 host ever manufactured," while the "SLN Exodus" brand could be defined as "the highest performance P60 hosts ever sold for $95" (or whatever the price point).
There are many companies that have their high-priced custom lines as well as their mass-produced lines, and find success doing both. It is hard to have a small and efficient company that has a mission statement with multiple sentences; but, it has been done. And, I would be the last person to doubt your ability to do whatever you set your mind to, Vinh!
