I've been using an old Gerber Magnum Hunter (fixed blade) for over 30 years, and have yet to find a knife that will hold an edge as well. I've field dressed, skinned, and butchered elk with it, and it was still razor sharp. It's made of tool steel, chrome plated on the face. Nowadays, all Gerber knives are stainless, which doesn't take or hold as good an edge. Had a couple of Cold Steel Aus 8 knives, and have a SOG... both nice, but nowhere near the durability of the Gerber. All I ever use to dress the edge is a steel, and the blade still could pass for almost new.