I thought this post was very interesting and worth responding to.
I see your point, but I would take my MK4 Dauntless over more expensive knives like Shiros, etc. It comes down to design, and that is price neutral. The MK4 Dauntless (in the CF/hollow ground special edition) is the best designed knife I've ever owned, no question, and I've had customs from some of the best makers working right now as well as some who are long gone. As a collectible or heirloom piece, that's one thing. And as a pure tool for a certain setting, that is another thing. But I really approached this thread as kind of what is the Platonic ideal of a knife for me. And even my favorite Shiro doesn't hold a candle to the Dauntless MK4 in that respect, at least for me.