Woodlander. My meaning was that they use the same TYPE of steel, a modified 52100 ball bearing steel and the same TYPE of steel they make jack hammer bits out of. They then do their magic heat treat (rumor has it that Dan has bribed some sugar plum faries) and the knives are tough! Now as for why the "BIG" companies don't do this same thing, MAYBE they haven't hit on the right formula yet or/probably it would be to cost prohibitave. Don't really know for sure, Dan and Jerry don't talk about their process much, and I can't say as I blame them. If you got something that works and no one else does, why give it away.

Just my two cents and hope it helps. If anyone else has better/more info, jump right in.