Doug, yes, I didn't notice the fancier steel and other changes at first. This is definitely a higher class knife than a regular Griptilian. I'm tempted to order one of the first-run units but I already have several nice folders and need to keep expenditures low for now. I like the blade shape a lot and will think about getting one of these if I sell off some other knives sometime. I think I would have stayed with the opening hole, but maybe you decided that studs are easier to open the knife with if you have gloves on. Either way is fine with me.