I think you missed Lofty on your analogy.

Provenance is based in fact, supporting documentation if you will, in this hobby to put a knife with a specific owner, place, and/or time.

Beauty on the other hand, is in the eye of the beholder relative to the aesthetics you prefer whether it be cars, knives, or woman.

The two are not synonymous nor a valid comparison, provenance is objective, beauty is subjective.

Link to an article I wrote several years ago:

http://www.rmkcollector.com/the-randall-collector/provenance