In light use with the smaller knives, I didn't notice much difference. Had I done more extensive cutting I would have found out that SR101 holds an edge much longer than SR77. I first discovered the difference after some extended chopping with my Chopweiler. It just never seemed to dull, while I had to lightly touch up my DF with a ceramic rod from time to time. The point is, Recon, until you have used both steels side by side for a while, you won't know the difference. You can be sure that SR101 is plenty tough for use in a military knife and has superior edge holding to SR77.