I think we are living in the Golden Age of knife steel. S30V, Elmax, CPM 154, and some newer super steels are all the rage. I cut up a lot of heavy boxes today with my Swamp Rat folder. The S30V blade was still shaving sharp. The Busse steels are second to none in performance. Their heat treatment is well documented to be the best in the business. SR101 has amazing edge holding and tougness. I am no steel expert like Busse brothers, but I have never been disappointed the Busse-made performance. These "other steels" are quite good. And they cost as much or more than Busse made blades. My 2 cents.