Cliff Stamp tests knives to destruction... He kills lots of knives but likes Busse and Swamp Rat Knifeworks. He hasn't tested any Yard stuff I am aware of yet.
Your opinion of 440 is justified IMHO!
Patti (Dan's wife and allround nice person to deal with in my experience) can sometimes take a little time to reply to emails, if Gravel-Face offered to sell you a S6 or gave you a lead on one consider it! The S6 is VERY good and GF is a forum regular..