Well for a poor shmuck like myself It would be any Kit Carson design by CRKT. I have fell in love with the "Flipper" for fast deployment(Practically a non-mechanical swithchblade). I own 3 CRKT's (yeah I know they are made overseas,that is their only drawback). But let's face it,and be honest. I could never afford a custom knife,They are just out of my reach. Yeah I know they are worth it. But even a lot of "Production knives" are out of my reach as well financially. My M-21 in AUS 8 is a great knife,and for the price I paid $37 + S&H. It can't be beat in value IMO. Had mine 2 months and I have sharpened it once. What I would love to see in a production knife is HC steel, I really have no use for stainless steel as I take care of my knives.Clean oil and sharpen as needed,will do away with the need for stainless unless it is exposed to corrosive environments. I find it Ridiculous that so many knives are being made in stainless and then coated to eliminate the shine. Just use HC if that is what you are going to do.
OK I may not be a maker of knives, But I am a user of knives,and know what I want. I just can't find it at an affordable rate. I hope some of the production knife makers read what I have written. I may be the only one saying it, but I have been hearing this since stainless became so popular with knifemakers. Give the consumer the option and find out. Stainless sales will drop except among the lazy.
I really don't mean to rant, but I am tired of manufacturers deciding what is best for me,when I know what I REALLY want. They just don't make it.