In your opinion, witch would the Top 5 modern swordsmiths be?

To clarify this question I would like to apply these

1. By swordsmiths I mean those who actually make the swords by hammering (by hand or machine) steel, not those who uses machines to form the blade. Albion for example are swordmakers not swordsmiths (IMHO).
2. Now living and active.
3. Who makes swords after or inspired by historical originals.
4. Make European swords, let's say from the migration, medieval and renaissance periods.
5. From all over the Globe.

I'm gonna miss a few but here goes

They all use modern tools and steels - and they don't forge a blade they do stock removal

Angus trim

Tinker Pearce (his custom work)

Albion

Who am I missing fellows?

In what niche, which genre?

Your question's far too vague and subjective.

By swordsmith as an individual, I'd say it's Peter Johnsson. Leo Tod's stuff makes good swords too, and also Mateusz on this forum shows very promising work.

I can give you my top 5, but it won't be everyone's top five! Here is my top 5:

1. Peter Johnson
2. Robert Moc
3. Patrick Barta
4. Leo Todeschini (Tod's Stuff)
5. Michael Pikula

All of them are high end custom smiths, which is what I like!

Can't really see that Albion is a smith, to me, its a firm. But if you're claiming them, to me, you're pretty effectively saying Peter Johnsson. So sure, I can get on-board with that opinion even without qualification of why. If we're just throwing names, I think Vince Evans has to be in the mix.How about Patrick Barta? If self promotion, fan-i-tude and price count for anything then you have to slot Daniel Watson someplace. His stuff is pure pants to me but his fans are REALLY fans and they REALLY pay for his products!

Then there is everyone from the Eastern spectrum doing some amazing work that I have too little appreciation for.

So to Patrick's point...

Best in America?
Best in Europe?
Best in Japan? China? India? Pakistan?
Best doing custom work?
Best production work?
Best working mono-steel? Folded? Wootz (at least claimed)?
Best currently working?
Best in the 21st century?
Best in the 20th and 21st century living or retired (for any reason)?
Best in the modern era?
Best at $500?
At $1000?
At $2500?
At an unlimited budget?

.

I always answer these questions with, "Best at what?"

There's a lot of top-notch makers out there who can make the very best of the best of a particular type of sword but who lack the research or technical abilities to make other types with any degree of accuracy.

Ferrari makes a hell of a super car, but if one's needs have them looking for a daily driver in a snowy climate for a family of four, Ferrari just won't cut it.

I have clarified my question:

1. By swordsmiths I mean those who actually make the swords by hammering (by hand or machine) steel, not those who uses machines to form the blade. Albion for example are swordmakers not swordsmiths (IMHO).
2. Now living and active.
3. Who makes swords after or inspired by historical originals.
4. Make European swords, let's say from the migration, medieval and renaissance periods.
5. From all over the Globe.

I'll preface this with a related phrase from one Dr T. Capwell.

'there are many armour makers, but not many armourers'.

So I'll drop Josh Davies, Mark Vickers and Paul Binns into the mix. I have handled and own items of theirs, all fab.

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Kevin Cashen and Vince Evans. I'm not sure if they use a forge or a CNC, not that I care. IMO, the end product is more important than how it got there.

id also add John Lundemo and KC Lund to the list

[withdrawn]

1. Vince Evans
2. Patrick Barta
3. Jake Powning
4. Robert Moc
5. Leo Todeschini/Mike Pikula/Peter Johnsson/Kevin Cashen (four-way tie because I couldn't make up my mind)

I'll add:

Kyle Willyard of Old Dominion Forge

Glenn McClain of Westfork Forge

Vladimir Cervenka

For my taste, this topic lacks a lot of value because it lacks context. People are throwing out names without context. I'll follow suit here by throwing out Craig Johnson from Arms & Armor. He's a fantastic swordsmith with excellent forging skills and makes a wide variety of items spanning era, style, and culture.

I'm not sure about the other four, but J.T. Palikko would be on my list.