To all the installers out there.
Would it be safe to say that for the most part, the more talented installers are working with the better block companies?

Anyone want to comment on that?

Boy, did you just open a big ole can of worms!!

Seriously, I think that people who take pride in their craftsmanship, use the best quality products available for them to work with. However, even among the very best craftsmen, there can be a difference of opinion as to what is the best product. That's where the fun begins.

Wes is right.  There are a multitude of things that go into "who has the best block".  Some of them are company support which is high on my list.  The honesty and integrity of the company starting at the top is very impotent to me. Ease of use, flexibility, distance from plant as shipping comes into play today,  ICC approval, flexibility of use.  These are just a few of the things used to judge a system. 

We have built with many different systems and some are easier to apply in certain situations. 

I think that it comes down to the individual installer and their clients. For example, I would like to use Durisol on all my projects because it has some performance differences that I feel are significant and in my opinion the pros outweigh the cons. Some clients agree while other's don't. From an installers perspective, the main issues are:

1. Cost
2. Ease of Use
3. Support from the manufacturer
4. The good installers also care about performance for their client (different opinions about different products by different installers)
5. Some also care about the environment


From the clients perspective some of the important issues are:

1. Cost
2. Performance (different performance priorities for different clients)
3. Confidence in the installer
4. Environment (part of performance?)

Different priorities on the various issues result in different choices for a product. I guess that is why there are different products, installers, clients who all make different choices.