Not the fault of Randall...
Cinder blocks are the thing Busse testers do: I could not care less about that nonsense myself, I am just amused that a thin-edged Model 14 ended up doing better with 440B than Busse INFI did in their very own "Busse-style" testing medium... Ah but he "Sasquatch" was thin edged as well, which was objected to... So INFI is good when it is chisel thick I guess...
I've seen at least one test where CPM3V tested way poorer than 440C, particularly on manila rope... And that was with identical purpose-built test mules for the test, not different knives from different makers... For me, Randall's 440B proved superior in comparison to everything I have tried while chopping wood, and better than most 440 in other knives... Rust resistance on CPM3V is also low if I am not mistaken... I have tried RJ Martin's S30V against Randall's 440B, equal edge angles, and S30V came out a close second... Not hugely impressed...
As to the catalog price of the Model 12, why are you even considering that? Catalogue price for Randalls is a four- five year wait... If you can find a 14 grind Model 12 available NOW for $650, please do show the link, I am intensely curious... Only 14 grinds mind you: I have no interest in their ugly curved clips...
As far as custom makers making better stuff than Randall, I'm sure they do exist, but very few of them are a known value... If they are a known value, the price will be higher than $450, and waiting time can be significant... In addition, how many custom makers can forge stainless? How many will consistently offer a given edge thickness of 0.020"? How many do hollow grinds? How many, for $450, will have leather sheaths that are even in the same league of simplicity and elegance?
I look and look for 9"-10" blades, and most custom knives I see offer flat-ground blades, traditional ornery handles devoid of checkering or finger grooves, ornery guards and decorated sheaths that are polar opposites to the simplicity I enjoy... Prices are not exactly low when ordering from dealers...
I can scroll for hours Arizona Custom Knives, or Nordic Knives, for 10" plus blades, and not see a single custom knife that combines thin-edged hollow grinds, chopping ability and a sharp straight-clipped point: Many intended to be choppers look a lot like Busse... I also don't like full tangs, as they are not balanced right and waste weight. Just not my thing...
Finally, and really the number one reason I am not interested in Customs: How many custom makers have a stock of finished knives ready to ship right now? Not many... Randall dealers do offer this. You pay a high price because they waited for you: A perfectly fair trade by me...
Gaston