I'm sorry to be digging this up again. I was about to order this morning when I started having second thoughts. I will always be able to carry more than one knife so maybe the A1 isn't the best choice after all. I just get the feeling that VG-10 will dull quickly cutting ropes and that kind of thing. I'd probably be better off getting a big chopper in 5160 and a small utility knife in D2 or something. Am I right or should I just go for the A1. Thanks.
If you'll be able to carry more than one knife, then you don't have to worry whether the A1 can slice tomatoes.

Just carry a nice good small, thinner knife that can, and use the bigger knives for whatever you use them for.
I don't know where you got the feeling VG-10 would dull quickly cutting ropes, though.

VG-10 holds and edge well, and rope is no exception.
But if you want two knives, then sure, two knives will do better than one in a wide range of tasks, obviously. A small slicer and a big chopper will both slice and chop better than a medium sized blade like the A1. Depending on the quality, it will be more expensive, though, and heavier to carry. That's how these trade-offs go.
As a way of comparison, how does VG10 hold up against 1095(corrosion resistance aside)
1095 is tougher in impact work, and not nearly as brittle as VG-10. But VG-10 will hold an edge longer in non-impact work, unless there's mystery heat treat on the 1095.
