Listee's,
Quite frankly,I feel your idea's of KOF are far too narrow a scope. At least imho. There are plenty of builders who fit the profile, but not the profile you have set forth. I am NOT talking about Tigged Steel frames, but fillet brazed and your points are weak for why they do not qualify to be a KOF.
If its merely the lugged method, and many of the luggers file their lugs, the whole KOF issue should be renamed "Keeper of the Hand File".
There are many things that come to mind when I think of a KOF. The first being a bicycle frame made by hand, with minimal machinery by one person. Secondly, Oxy/Acetelyne or Oxy/Propane fuel used to apply filler material. Last, but not least is the fact the bicycle has a good fit for the rider and is perfect in every way for the riders intended usage.
Using lugs as a determining factor for acceptance as a KOF is a joke. I now plenty of builders who make a mean fillet brazed frames (myself included) and only dabble in lugs or choose not to use them for each and every frame, yet I would consider us all KOF's. If its merely a semantics issue, broaden your perspective so us fillet brazers feel a bit of love, too.
My $.02
DW handmadebicycleshow.com See you in March!
Chuck Schmidt wrote,"...... I think the agreed upon definition of a Keeper of the Flame would be lugged steel frame construction.
For me, KOF implies lugged steel, so I agree. There are beautiful bikes make without lugs, but that isn't what rocks my boat. Lou Deeter, Orlando FL