True, but I've read thru most of the literature he provided, and I now know more about knife steel then I did 5 hours ago. I think it's still hit or miss as the gentlemen above stated. I have and have had 1/2 a dozen bucks. Some you can't get a decent edge on at all, and some are fantastic. I have a buck with ATS 34, touted as the best knife making material, and it's not impressive. I have a buck folding hunter and proline buck that are amazing( of course, their blades don't state the steel type). I had a benchmade mini griptilian that took a pretty good edge, but didn't hold it all that long. I have a puma folding hunter that is awesome, but I hear their stuff has become cheaper quality now. I wish puma listed the steel used on their blades, or that they made a modern, light weight, one hand opener. I guess it really is luck of the draw. Oddly enough, some of the material our friend provided me links to listed 440A and b as steel to avoid.......but then it pointed out that some randalls used 440b and SOG used 440A. Guess I'll buy a few more, keep the good ones, and have a yard sale of the lesser crap. You guys seem very knowledgable. Would love to hear what you carry on a daily basis......by the way, anybody out there producing good carbon steel blades these days. I loved case before they went to this stainless stuff that will not take an edge but looks pretty.