Thanks everyone, interesting. Yes, it would be extremely hard to limit to just 10 names, and you would no doubt leave out many worthy smiths.
Steven, I know what you mean about the inside information. Michael has eluded to this before in regards to his research. He often comes up with information about a gunmakers personal life, and he does not know whether to share it or not. Great workmen or artists are often times lousy people. This is one reason you have to include Fisher. He has proven over the long haul that he knows how to run a business and treat his customers.
If we were to limit it, how about those who contributed to getting us to the current state of the art. Those who raised the bar to a new level.
John
