I understand what you're saying but do you think $500-700 for an auto knife is reasonable for a production knife? I've owned custom knives and I'm close friends with a very successful custom knife maker. Even he told me, if not for the artistic value/fit/finish, buy the production model for my purposes and I did. Although he did get pissed off at the manufacturer when he sharpened it for me. He ended up refinishing the whole thing, reshimming the blade, and replaced all the screws for free. I thought the dern thing was fine! Lol
Although I don't carry a Filipino 1911 (I carry a Glock), it still serves a purpose. I don't see any $299 ATI 1911's rockin the holsters of any law enforcement or military agencies. But I know some carry Wilson Combats and the like. I was going to say I dont see many citizens carry cheap knock off 1911's but then I remembered that I've seen three people open carrying Hipoints within 3 years. Anyway, I hardly think that cheap $50 clones are taking away from their sales as its a completely different market.