The post from Dave H is an interesting one. I can recall some comments made in discussions, articles etc., that several decades ago many of knifemakers were making their knives from kits (Morseth, for example)
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okay, so we have come a long way since then and perhaps it was not discussed then with the intensity it is now. Today, I think sole authorship is more an issue with the maker. It seems to me that it primarily addresses personal pride in one's level of achievement and/or a strong belief in the integrity of the process of sole authorship. I like to look at it (IMHO) as playing a big part in the progression of the craft (i.e. pushing the envelope).
For sure, there are customers this does matter to, but I doubt it is an overriding factor. In my main business, modelmaking (see link at the end), I sell my creative work. In my ads I tout the degree of sole authorship because i feel that it sets me apart from many competitors(sorry, but I don't have the time to run a laser and an injection molding machine, too!) and this is mostly important to me. However, when customer bring up questions of authorship, it is usually after a sale has been concluded. Just as often, during the Q&As, I find that the customer is surprised that I do as much as I do. I have to admit that I get great pleasure from this - it is one of the best rewards.
Bottom line, though....I still think that sole authorship is just a component of the big picture the creative process. Like everything else, I see it as a tool, a means to an end, part of the discovery process, evolution of the craft, etc.
Bob
http://www.southrivermodelworks.com/
http://home.attbi.com/~southriv/
