Right, you can get really good generic 4130 for cheap in Taiwan, no argument there. The issue is why not use something better for bikes that are so good otherwise.

Just for fun:

What other "track" frame offers that much tire clearance?
-It's not a track frame, it's a road bike with the wrong dropouts/ends for a frame drilled for a rear brake and unnecessarily nasty things done to its chainstays. It does have a ton of tire clearance, which makes it great for fenders. Too bad there's nothing to mount them to. Besides, it's not like there aren't a million frames out there that take huge tires on a 700 wheel, some of them are even made from 531. They're called old road bikes.

What other horizontal-drop steel cross frame is there (available as a frame-only)?
-you got me, I don't ride cross. Also, horizontal drops aren't needed for cross, you can always run a tensioner.

What other SS 29er existed when the Karate Monkey came out?
-I don't follow the MTB market, but I thought the Karate Monkey always had a hanger

Will there ever be anything else like a Pugsley? or the Big Dummy?
-The pugsley is pretty unique. The Big Dummy will likely hold onto its title as the only ready-built xtracycle bike for a while since Surly = QBP and QBP = the distributor for xtracycle parts and accessories.