I was in the same boat about 10 years ago, and I switched to O-1 and havn't looked back since. From my observations O-1 rates 10-15% better at cutting and edgeholding when properly heat treated. A little bit of tungsten goes along way. I made a knife for my father, who is a professional whitetail guide, and he had a busy season a few years back. He field dressed 6 bucks all over 200lbs in one day, without sharpening in between. He brought me the knife and I touched it up, just a few strokes and it was sharp again. A few days later he had a customer who shot 2 bucks, but only wanted the hides and the antlers. My dad took the same knife and field dressed, caped and completely deboned both deer. The knife just need a bit a touching up.
After that, I was sold completely, when customers ask me about edgeholding I ask them if they would be happy if they could field dress thier deer without sharpening, most respond with a yes and then I tell them about my dad.
That particular knife was O-1, L-6 and pure nickel. It also is the answer to those who have doubts about using pure nickel in a working knife.
