There is much conjecture about current steels. The stainless is called Sandvik, and the carbon is known for the qualities I posted earlier. The world economy has complicated things. The Fallkniven is made in Japan, the Finnish Co. Martinni uses a hi crome German Stainless and rumors abound about Swedish steels. All I know is the quality for cost is still there. The instructor, Mors Kochanski in Canada only uses Moras! I have my "abuse" blade, a Cold Steel SRK, and for the more measured tasks my Scandinavian blades and Alaskan Ulu . In a world of "perceptions" the traditional look is more socially acceptable than the black SWAT image. Some of the finest bows on the American plains were traded from California, so nothing is new.