I'd saw Jimmy wuz human on that damage ! #1 Stainless steel pretty much sucks to start with for a real knife . #2 Hollow grinds pretty much suck on real knives anyway for the above reason. #3 the usage as you described wuz well within "normal" use IMHO.
RC had a great idea for the Choil , it would make it a wonderful caper, that is if you like stainless ! Actually I have a couple stainless knives that are special purpose,including the Valkman fighter under my bed, and they are water maintainable.