When I was young, and making a few knives for myself and friends from old saw blades, files, rasps, and finished blades from William Rogers of Sheffield, I got to know George Herron, WC Wilber, Blackie Collins, and met the small number of knife makers who were forming a Guild, like Chris Reeve and Bob Dozier ( still have some bolts I bought from him ). These guys were selling knives for $35.00 to $80.00 with the sheath, which now sell for $1,000 and $2,000. If no one had bought their knives then, there would be only a few makers today, and I doubt there would be so many nice factory knives, like Benchmade.
These craftsmen are not only preserving knowledge, but improving it, advancing the craft, and raising the expectations of many users of knives. And the fact that they can now earn a living from it because some people will save for one fine knife, or a wealthy person will buy them to put away in a collection, is no different than every great gunsmith, furniture maker, yacht designer, painter or sculptor.
I am grateful to live in a capitalistic society where I can earn the money to pay someone like Mr. Wood what he is worth, and am free to buy what I want, without some bureaucrat deciding that no one "needs" such a nice tool, and that these craftsmen should be working in job they loathe.