Knives will cut. Good steel is good steel. That said, after watching several "knife tests" by Noss, I've decided that if I'm going to spend money, it might as well be on something that will outlast my children's children, a nuclear holocaust, and cockroaches.

I have a few other blades--some customs I'd be hard pressed to part with. ESEE strikes me as a decent company and I own an Izzy. I had some Barkies, but could never seem to convince myself that they were worth holding on to. Didn't like the heat treat that came on my Ontario blade.

Get what meets the need. Always buy the best quality you can afford and you won't have regrets.