I expect it's a little different for everyone, so I wouldn't presume to tell you what to expect.
Before I discovered customs, all my factory knives were bought with specific intent for use. I never bought factory knives because I thought they looked cool, only because I saw a particular use for each. I still have a fair number of them, and they mostly live with other gear I use for my outdoor pursuits. I can stash them with my other stuff and I'm not worried about keeping them up, mostly because they are stainless and/or not too expensive to replace if one goes missing.
Custom knives for me started in a similarly pragmatic way- I discovered that one of my main uses for larger knives was trail work, and that no acceptable factory made tools really existed other than ethnic knives like goloks and khukuris. These were the first of my hand made knives, and I also still have them and treat them the same as my factory knives for the most part.
This all inevitably led to the discovery of tailor made blades, and that has continued to this day. The biggest difference being that the pragmatism is gradually wearing off, and an appreciation for the Art available in a knife gradually wears in.
At the end of the day, all these things are simply objects. All have their own intrinsic values and therefore are always valuable. However, it's the human component that I find myself drawn to more and more, while the knives take on different meanings in relation to my growing interest in the people that make them and the people that populate our community.
It's safe to say that, for me, the knife knuts which span the spectrum in the entirety of the cutlery community have become more of a focus and interest, especially those who innovate and contribute to the evolution of knives whether they be involved in factory production or custom made knives.
I am a newcomer to the scene and as such, fully expect my own interests to evolve and grow over time, but like Roger, custom knives for me have sent me down a path which continues to lead me forward.
