Is this the best knight design of modern times?

It’s certainly a classic. I like variations on it, but I also like more stylized and unique designs—and I enjoy some of the more eccentric Soviet knights.

I think the knight below by Staunton Castle’s Soviet USSR 1970 reproduction set is truly beautiful, and it strikes me as very comfortable to handle.

And below is an example of an eccentric Soviet knight. I’m really enamored with this one since I saw it last week. It’s part of the Jacobson Handmade Chessmen, which is a modern chess set based on various old Soviet sets. The knight is the 15th-century Novgorod knight. A bit goofy, but it leaves such an impression.

Probably not the most comfortable for play, but look at their presence on the board!

I like those with big manes that give a sense of dynamism, like this one:

That boy's been through the mud! Talk about "antiqued"...

Yes the Jacobson set (especially the Knights) have quite pointy / sharpish ears. You wouldn't want to use this set for blitz! But longer time settings - yes!

I think the SC Knights in this thread are really underrated and I have always admired that set..

I think if I didn't go for the Jacobson set - I would have selected the Staunton Castle set

Don't forget Herman Steiner's Piatigorsky Cup knights:

Something like this. Found it on Google search for images of robotic horse knight chess piece.

Could use more armor around the mane. And make sure those eyes shoot real lasers!

There is no objectively best or most beautiful knight design. Personally I do not like to elaborate designs with lots of detail as they are prone to break and, thus, made more for show(ing off) than actual play.

OK, I was joking...

Maybe this one:

Conor's Ecliptic knight is bold:

Here is the kunststoff set I'd go for:

I didn't get it- why, was it that expensive? I saved it under the name Bulgarian bakelite

Vey bold … and here is Conor and another picture of the bold ‘modern’ knight.

I understand this is not a design for a complete chess set, but it kind of resembles what I would imagine as a "modern knight design". From Google images

My favourite knight design. Modern in form and material. Cheap, non felted and non weighted but the right weight for play. Perfect on vinyl and mousepad style boards. The plastic is nice to the feel and soft enough for play even on hard boards without "clattering". And they come in most colours!

No, that´s an antique greek design...

Last one from the "hypermodern" school of knight design... for now

I wonder if it can be done in a cubist rendering?

Detail of the painting "The game of chess", 1555, by Sofonisba Anguissola.

Not my favourite, but it reminds me of something "modern"...

And where can one find these?