In your opinion, which brand(s) of knives use the best heat treating?

[Stainz]

Buck! Specifically, Paul Bos' heat treating there. Their 420HC is just amazing for a 'utility' steel. Their S30V sets a standard.

Stainz

 

[orthogonal1]

That is the particular knife I have also. Thing is, it is the only blade I own in s30v. So, I do not have anything to compare the various qualities to.

Based upon some of my other S30V knives, I'd say Gerber did a better job of heat-treat on these blades than some makers have with the steel.

As an aside, Gerber did a good job on the 154cm blade in my Gerber Emerson design auto, too. If it wasn't for the blade on that knife, I'd get rid of it.