Unfortunately for me, I have been largely unexposed to any of the top bladesmiths' work in person. However, I do tend to surf around a lot and look at pictures of knives, (which is really not good enough- sorry Coop
). I've said it before and I'll say it again, I am a neophyte knife guy, with limited experience, who doesn't really know enough about knives. (Thanks, meager income
).
With all that being said, my choice would be Burt Foster. I can think of no other bladesmith who I'd part with that amount of cash with. He's such a nice guy and an honest man as well- principled. I think he would deserve such a sweet payday, a lot more than I would. In fact, I'd give him a 10% gratuity in this scenario:thumbup:
Basically, the decision for me would have to do with how much I like the guy I'm dealing with, as what kinds of sweet blades I would get out of the deal. However, any picture of a Foster blade always stops me in my tracks. So utilitarian and elemental in design are the tools he creates, they speak to me on almost a primordial level.
I already said I can't afford handmade knives, much less production ones, but I'm still saving up for my first Foster blade anyway, and after some communication back and forth with him, I whole heartedly am stoked on my choice to allow myself the indulgence of one of his fine blades.
