i’d like to know the reasons too… as you, i considered the same factors (customs, etc…) but i’m not sure, unless customs for products coming from the States are much higher than those applied to products coming from China. Transportation can’t make that difference either, since even shipping single units could account only for 10/15 bucks. I lived in the Bay area for some time but i didn’t take the chance to get some nice knives. Shipping from USA is an alternative but customs taxes almost end up eating the difference. Something ever weirder, check this post by Kreisler: OT: Victorinox Spirit X *NEW* for 45$ shipped (amazon promotion)
It’s an european product (around 100 USD here), shipped to the States (so price+transport+taxes+…), sold for …. 45 USD!!! Please, someone tell me WTF is going on.