Sort Of OT : Do You Ever Wonder

[Lee]

Originally Posted by Federico

...value derives its worth not so much from the quality of work, but in as much from the reputation of the smith...

I have heard this before, too, including privately from some very well regarded modern American bladesmiths who personally often hold some of the ethnographic work in very high esteem and are horrified by celebrated fellow smiths who are 'coasting' on their laurels or are more a product of the blade magazines than anything that came off of their anvil or grinder.