"IMO, it's pretty lousy of BPL to charge more for a cup that involves less steps to manufacture. But then, we are a capitalist society, and BPL has the legal right to charge whatever it thinks the market will bear."
Actually, it's because they are made on an automated assembly line, and the MFR passes on the loss in efficiency of batch making a lower numbers without handles.
If you want a good deal on a handless pot, by the SnowPeak Ti Bowl. Way less expensive. Better Volume to Weight Ratio than the SUL 550. Wider base (better heat transfer). Down side is no lid, but most gram weenies chuck the SUL 550 Lid and replace with foil anyway.