I guess, you wont find much of a difference between the shorter SR101 blades and those made from carbon V. Maybe there is a small difference in edge holding if you look at 1095. Another aspect may be, that 1095 is as a simple steel used on cheaper knifes. That doesn´t mean the steel is crap, no way i like pure steels, but maybe there is a little less spend on good heat treatment, which is the key to a great knife.
On larger blades you will find an advantage between the differentially heat treated (Hard edge / softer spine) SR101 compared to the fully hardened carbonV or 1095 blades.
Usually i stay away from comparing stainless to non stainless.
You should decide, which properties a blade shall have and then choose the steel.
Shall it be stainless? Then choose among stainless.
Are there other properties like toughness, wear resistance, strength, there are a lot of steel grades to take from. Every steel featuring tungsten is good on wear resistance and if it is held low aroud 1% you still get a tough blade. Stainless always means a trade off of toughness.
You need a hamon (to see the different hardness between edge and spine) japanese style?
Take a steel like 1095, as less on alloys as possible.
You need a chopper? Take one with low carbon best: a steel with .6% carbon and nothing else.
High speed steels, which are very highly alloied steels, are showing a great strength, which means it takes a lot to break them. But they would hardly bend before breaking. Considering the spine thickness it don´t has to be the best choice. But they hold a very good edge (edc - like) forever.
Razorblades? Good heat treated 1095 or a thing like that as a bearing steel gives you the finest edge.
Something inbetween? Hard to say. There is a lot out there. I guess the most unimportant property is stainless. If you want a reasonable fine edge, D2 shouldn´t be your choice.
Myself own a Bandicoot and some blades made from that stainless. Looking at the edge they take, the SR101 is the finest edge.
S30V takes a nice edge too but turns to a rougher edge after a while. The hair comes off the arm, but its not what i would call cutting.
The 154CM takes a bit better edge. Didn´t get it dull so far but that particular blade is a bit softer i think, so its hard to compare.
For more try the FAQ.
