So it seems we are only unclear on the definition of customs? Production and midtech are pretty clearcut.
To me, a custom is a knife made by one maker, by hand, start to finish. It isn’t something with any assembly line aspect to it, that you could pick up off of a shelf full of them. That’s what I consider a custom knife. I guess you could also call it a “handmade” knife.
Now, if somebody mentions a “true custom” I would consider that a knife made by one maker to their exact specifications.
It’s dicey, and everybody has their own definition, but that’s always been how I define a custom knife.