i believe the poster referred to in the OP is myself. i began collecting knives seriously about 2 years ago when i discovered BF. initially i bought used examples of production knives and i learned something each time largely by researching every knife on these forums. as my knowledge grew, my choices became demanding of ever higher quality or collectability, leading to my present, seemingly insatiable desire, for ever more custom knives. i have about 25 at present (4 in the mail not counted), price range $100 - $2400.
this sub forum is a fine place to see examples of upper end work and to follow esoteric philosophical discussions between serious collectors of custom knives.
what i would like to see is : 1) a more indepth critique of knives posted, to help enable others to learn how to look at a custom knife, and how to evaluate it's details, flow, maker, etc. all the things that lead to the knife's overall value and collectability.
without the help of others, the learning curve is longer and more costly.
education and mentoring will help expand the ranks of custom collectors which is necessary to support the makers and thereby our own habit.
in general, the more you know, the more interested you are.
and 2) more examples of less expensive custom knives, again with knowledgeable critique on it's good points and short comings and again with a view towards educating the newcomer in knife evaluation.
reading this sub forum for the last year leads me to think that there is a distain of lower end customs by some collectors and that posts of such are of no interest. hence my comment of a tendancy towards "snobbery" for lack of another succinct phrase. i think this is good, somebody has to be holding up the upper end, but could be balanced by more displayed interest in more plebeian knives.
my 3 yr. old just awoke, so my ramble is over. at least we all agree, every kid is a "custom" kid.
roland
