T.B.H. I haven't much use for pocket knives.
The CPK knives look well made but I wouldnt describe any of them as Iconic? But thanks for the suggestions.
CPK knives are iconic in their own sense. The demand is growing steadily and the supply remains the same. So, the knives becomes more and more sought after and often second hand market prices can catch up to 1.5-4 times of the retail price depending on the model.
I would argue that CPK is more iconic than Orford and Malanika knives. However, I would agree that they are not iconic as the woodlore, bushtool, canadian belt knife, kephart, loveless, scagel, mora companion, opinel, victorinox or old hickory knives.
The reason I suggested CPK is that you asked for a maker designing and using his own knives and I can not think anyone better than CPK fitting to that description.
If money and wait times are not issue there are some great makers in the US and Australia. I am not sure how to order knives from them they are often difficult to hold let alone managing to get into their list. But some of the makers that might worth pursuing would be Jerry Fisk, Phil Wilson (seamount knife works), BBB (a new maker following the footsteps of Phil Wilson, Kase Knives (another new maker knowing for leading heat treat works in knife industry), Hanson Knives, Shawn McIntyre, Sharman (UK maker) and many master knife smith that you can find ABS website.