Search:

but here we are talking about big blades 8/8 + if I am not wrong, in that size range prices are quite different no matter the maker.

Bill I do remember it :)
but I have honed for example this one, a 9/8 Lauderjung
http://i49.tinypic.com/r78yfk.jpg

shave was equally great.

A question of personal taste no doubt. For me the...

Yes they are popular, why i do not know, not better shavers than many others, they are just one example of what the hype machine can do.