Well said John

I always think of a trip I took...it was after 9-11, I could not carry a pocket knife on the plane and knowing my luck I would lose my luggage. It was a long trip to a tropical paradise...very remote. I feel almost naked with out some sort of knife and not wanting to take the chance of losing a custom made knife.... I took a well made factory knife.

My brother-in-law and I had rented a jeep and with my son we explored the coconut groves and beaches of the remotest part of the island......and we were lucky enough to get the Jeep stuck....

Soon another group of explores came along to pull us out. I had noticed there were a few ropes that had washed ashore from Chinese Cargo Ships. I used my knife to cut these large sand infest ropes free to use. Needless to say the sand/nylon ropes ate my edge to pieces. That knife was only good for spreading butter after that.

That experience was a real eye-opener....I knew then I needed D-2 or 440V.

Today when I look at any knife...steel is the foremost important factor.