If I am not mistaken Busse-made knives are tested in house for their durability and I go with that. I occasionally break knives, but never intentionally. I appreciate ruggedness in a knife as much as anyone, but I tend to measure "performance" as cutting ability. I can see both Gideon's and Kid Nevada's points, but for my own knives, I tend to come down more on Gideon's side. When I review a knife, I use it for it's intended purpose if possible. If the knife fails me at that, then I consider it not up to my standards.