We all have our opinions, but to say that a maker is trying to hide or cover up defects in his finished product because he uses a mirror finish or beadblast is absurd, I don't etch my blades because I don't care for the look, they look unfinished to me, but I'm not going to say anything negative about another makers work because of his techiques or beliefs. I don't etch but I test the heck out of my blades and I stand behind my work with a guarantee against workmanship defects, if one of my blades fail when used like a knife and not a hammer, prybar or screwdriver, I'll stand behind it. Some on this thread have stated that they won't buy a knife anymore if its not etched, all I can say is that will be your loss, there is a lot of great makers that use mirror, beadblasted and satin finishes without etching, if your worried about buying a poor knife, than only buy from a maker that stands behind his work. I would rather have a blade from a maker that has physically tested their blades and techiques than from a maker that draws his conclusions from an etch.
Bill