Hey, no judgement from me. I (knowingly) bought a clone DOC and realized I didn't even want the clone because of the same reason I didn't want the real deal - can't service it, can't get it serviced. I too bought a fake XM-18 (again, knowingly) and that was how I concluded that I was going to need an XM-24 if I was going to be happy with the cutting edge length... And $500 puts me so close to secondary market Rockstead territory that it's just not going to happen. A XM-24 Bowie just popped up for pretty much exactly how much I'm willing to pay for such a knife, in just the right configuration, and I took a long hard look at my new 0452CF and closed the browser window. It's just hard for me to drop that kinda cash on a knife that I can get the same materials, better flipping action, and faster / more guaranteed warranty service (RHK will close his doors before KAI will, is all I'm saying) for so much less. Also, our tastes in knives could totally hang out. Everything in the picture I omitted from the quoted post is something I either have owned, plan to own, or would enjoy owning.
(With the exception of the Valkyrie. It just doesn't do anything for me.)