The blade ofthe Pocket Bushman is made of Thyssen Krup 4116. It has been compared to 420HC among others. One poster on blade forum said this, "1.4116 was used by Puma for stainless knives including stainless white hunter. medium carb, quite a lot vanadium and Cr. Hardens at 55-57 HRC It lies somewhere between 440B and 440C." I'm not a steel junky, so I have no opinion. It is cheap, tough, takes and holds enough of an edge to do real work. The Sterling can restore a working edge quickly. It meets the need that I purchased it for. Your mileage may vary.