Probably bad news as far as the pricing goes too, Rutlands seems to manage to swing exclusives for distribution from US companies, then they can nail the price high and keep it there.
I've spoken to the manufacturers at the company that makes Worksharp sharpeners (Darex), and I got the impression they're somewhat regretting the exclusive deal, but they seem bound to it legally. They were not even able to sell me directly, the 240 volt version of their own product.
I've given up on Rutlands recently. I'm not normally one to slate a company and I'm normally very understanding, having been in business myself, but recent experiences have left me seriously soured on both the company and the quality of their own-brand goods. Some of the things they stock, you can't tell are "Dakota" brand till delivery either.
Is it the Easy Tools cutters that "Captain Eddie" Castellain on YouTube sells compatibles for on his website? They don't say which tool their cutters are made for, probably for copyright issues, but they're hugely cheaper than the official ones for whatever tool it is (according to his figures)
I'd like to try one of those, maybe I'll save up and hope it's not another exclusive
Nic.