Looking for a custome maker?

First off ask them how they test their knives. You don't want to buy a knife from someone who doesn't use their own knives and test them a lot. YOu are looking for some test of edge retention buy cutting and or chopping. Also lateral strength testing of at least the tip if not the length of the blade.

Ask if they do their own heat treating and ask for a little explenation on how it's done. even if they don't do their own they should have an understanding of what's going on. The heat treating is the soul of any cutting tool.

If they forge ask if they forge in a distal taper. The thickness of the spine will gradualy taper from the handle to the tip. This is important because it will distribute any lateral force along the entire blade therefore reducing the chance of breakage. A blade that is the same thickness from handle to tip will consintrate any lateral force at one point which can lead to a break. Having said that you should never use your knife as a pry bar but in some cases you can't avoid it in which case you want your knife to flex giving you an indication that you are overdoing it, not just snap. You can put a distal taper in a stock removal blade also but it's more work and cost the maker in sanding belts.

Also ask if the knife is gaurenteed, and what it covers a good maker knows that his knives will hold up to almost anything and even if you return it because you don't like the feel he should be able to sell it to someone esle.

If they can answer all of these to your satisfaction then you probably have a good maker.