Bear, My high school shop teacher taught us that a old file makes the best knife blade. You have to take your time grinding it to shape so it doesnt get to hot. A knife blade made in this fashion will hold a edge better than any I have seen. Files are very high carbon steel. Todays knives are all shiny pretty Stainless. There are some hard Stainless blades out there. 440 Stainless makes a respectable blade. Happy Trails!