wrote in message
ups.com...
lots of very fine cutlery out there made from Stainless steel

No, companies mass produce millions of knives made out of stainless
steel that look pretty years after they go into a drawer. The website
you provided, shows the Ulu being "stamped" out of a giant roll of
stainless steel.

The problem is stainless steel is very difficult to get a sharp edge.
And yes, it is steel, but "soft" if compared to high carbon. If a
stainless blade is used daily, it will dull within weeks. High carbon
will go for months.


There are different kinds of stainless steel. Stainless steel is even used
to make surgical equipment, and you can get a very good edge on some of that
stuff.

Here are German made stainless steel knives that will go months without
getting dull. It all depends on what kind of stainless steel you make it
from. These are among the best knives made in the world. They are a high
carbon/stainless alloy.

http://www.wusthof.com/main.htm

I'm not saying you want an Ulu knife made from stainless. Those may indeed
be junk. They may be made from stainless steel that's not good for knives.
But don't assume ALL stainless knives will dull quickly. Good German
stainless knives will hold an edge for a long time. I've had 4 of these
knives for about 20 years.

--Tom