Gut Shot
Well-known member
I'd focus on materials rather than brand. S90, S30, or ATS34 are hard "stainless" steels. That means they'll hold an edge better than, say 440 or 420 steel. There is no such thing as a free lunch though and those harder steels will be harder to sharpen. Micarta and G-10 are pretty tough to beat for durability but stabilized wood is prettier. Just pick a blade profile you like and find a manufacturer that makes it in the materials you want.
Then again, if you take care of it, it's really hard to beat a plain old O1 tool steel blade and a walnut handle.
Then again, if you take care of it, it's really hard to beat a plain old O1 tool steel blade and a walnut handle.