Lorien, you bring up an interesting point here: "If I could own any custom knife I wanted, there would be quite a good number where sharpness would not be a factor."
obviously historical pieces, etc., but sticking with current 'production', i have seen folders by Ron Lake for an asking price of $20,000. for me this would be a never carry, never use knife and the thought of it having a less than really sharp edge doesn't bother me. yet i am miffed at a folder in the $500-$1000 range that is less than screaming sharp and esp. if actually dull.
now that's wierd ! accepting 'less' in the knife that costs 20x the price.
but somewhere between $1000 and $20,000 i stop caring about a really sharp edge.
so i realize that since every knife i buy(rarely over $1000) i think of as a potential user, i want it to be a superior user, just as superior as the 'looks'(materials, F&F).
so i wonder again, do some makers purposely avoid a really sharp edge because they know the majority of their knives never get used ?
is there any maker 'out there' who has this philosophy ?
roland