Welcome to the Yard. I hope you will like it here.
As for your question, here is my take on it: Both sr77 and sr101 are great steels, but imo sr101 is the overall better steel. Its superior edgeholding ability weighs more than sr77 superior impact strength.
So I think, that when Dan was able to bring the '11 in sr101, he did it to deliver best possible knives at the best possible price. Living up to his motto.