Rust is not a deal breaker for me either and I'm VERY excited to hear these are going to be sr101!
Dan is right... its the PERFECT steel.

I just wonder how I'll like the mudders... you dogs all seem to really like them though so if the price is right I will probably get one!

I think sr101 is much more useful for a knife this sise.
I've found sr77 dings easier than some other 5160 and 1095 blades I have and although it has amazing toughness sr101 is not going to break either and is going to resist edge deformation easier and hold a good edge.

I'll probably attempt to strip it eventually (after I wear the finish down some) and rust is really not going to effect the blade AT ALL.

I'm very excited!