Some of the difference is in “free” services after the purchase such as sharpening and cleaning and repair. Some of the price difference comes down to where it was manufactured. American labor and manufacturing generally costs more than foreign labor. And some of the difference comes down to quality control, and cost of materials. Certain steels cost 10x what the inexpensive steels do. Lastly, the heat treatment and manufacturing processes are harder and more involved on some high-performance steels, which increases cost.