Mojo,

Thanks, I'm thinking along the lines of S-7 with a 54-56 Rockwell. I'm sure it will stain up, but looks don't concern me, I can re polish it any time, but I'm thinking it would be tough as hell and still plenty friendly to the stone.

A-2 is stable and hard but to brittle for me to spend any time on.

No reason for CPM in my mind, to costly especially when "grain" is a good thing when used properly. Most knife makes save the material cost and have no idea how to use the grain to their advantage, heat treating with out knowing the grain direction has ruined many a fine blade.

Writing here is Prohibited by the authorities.