Originally Posted by
Derek Cohen
Hi Steve
No, I meant that. It's a context thing.
In a nutshell, Japan (East) has been producing advanced tool designs and quality steel for centuries longer than the West. The best of the West is reputed to be the 18th century, and since then we have seen standards going up and down. By contrast, the East have produced quality blades for centuries. The West made some extraordinary blades over about 100 years (don't ask for dates), and then tool steel has relied on metallurgical advances (such as powdered metal) to compete against hand hammered and laminated steels from the East. Its a bit like taking a hammer to swot a fly. The saws are like this. All work but ...
There are islands of excellence in the modern day West. A number of boutique makers, including yourself, are offering tools that require no excuse. However, when one looks at the bigger picture, there are probably a lot more makers of mediocracy. I do not know the Eastern market as well as the West, so no doubt there are also the also-rans there. However, what I am familiar with appears to continue a general history of excellence.