I’m after a new steel bike for bike packing and long lazy rides.It will be a 29 “. I am put off by the generic down tube curved at the head tube made in Taiwan et Al. I want a handmade steel frame. I don’t have 4k but I do value quality. Any advice would be great🤘

Shand.

Singular
Stooge (all out of stock currently)
Pipedream
Stanton
Cotic
Curtis
Surly

Few manufacturers that spring to mind.

If you aren’t in a hurry and budget is more of an issue then add Marino to the above list.

If you want bling then the polished and clear coated lacquer Curtis frames are gorgeous.

Hand made?

Sven cycles.

Surly Karate Monkey – very versatile, lots of frame fixing points, 27.5+ or 29, SS or geared, will take 135/142/148 rear axles, suspension or rigid.

I’d love one, just can’t justify it as I already have a Stooge and a Surly Krampus!

Hand made?

Depends what you mean 🙂 most bikes are ‘handmade’, robotic/CAM welding is a bit expensive for most bike manufacturers.
If you mean custom, then that’s a different kettle of fish…Shand frames are lovely.