for me, it would be another ray appleton, or another wolf loerchner. they're both GENIUSES in knife design and implementation (imho), albeit one deceased. appleton's IQ knives are an engineering marvel (have 2). loerchner's design (also currently have 2), and flawless implementation are a marvel of artistic design and creation. i own many knives of all kinds, but these two makers - and magnus axelson (a most original and innovative knife maker...rarely makes the same knife twice...i'm lucky enough to own his 2nd "the trebuchet"...INCREDIBLE!!!)...jzs