Considering almost everything except gasoline has gone up in the last 2 years I didn't feel Spyderco knives price increases were excessive. Benchmade no longer makes anything that I feel justifies the price. Good knives, but they have priced themselves over my budget.
Maybe they are just trying to move unsold stock, but IME when companies discount things this heavily they are planning changes. Leupold discounted the VX-1 and VX-2 heavily right before discontinuing both of them and replaced them with the VX-Freedom.
I prefer Brooks running shoes. Right before Father's day the street runners, (Adrenaline 22) and their trail runners,(Cascadia 16) were selling for around $100. Normal price was $140, they advertised it as a "Father's Day Sale". Right after July 4th, they introduced the updated Adrenaline 23 and Cascadia 17 at the regular price.