blademan 13 :
It is amazing what a properly made 1084 blade can do when compared to all of the high tech steels out there.
Cutting ability is geometry defined to a *far* greater extent than the rather small effect of the actual alloy, which is why people win cutting contests all the time with low alloy steels and they are excellent for wood working blades.
People have been using low alloy steels in axes for a very long time and you don't stop to sharpen your axe after every few trees, in fact you don't stop every hour. Alloy steels, do give advantages, but they are mainly for abrasion resistance and corrosion resistance.
Alloy steels can as well offer advantages in toughness, strength and impaction resistance, which can lead to a better cutting blade. But even simple steels can handle the hardest of brush work with the right techique. Thus the alloy steels can't offer a more optimal geometry as it is already optimal with the simple steel.
For example I have an Opinel (~1075), and the edge is about ~7-8 degrees. I can't really go any finer when sharpening, thus I could not get any better cutting ability out of a higher alloy steel (with some minor exceptions, mainly edge aggression). I could get better edge retention of course, and do with other blades I have with similar edge profiles.
That is a fine looking bowie, about 14" is right now what I find optimal for most of my brush work. I would not want that tip structure though and prefer handles with more curvature and a slight drop.
-Cliff
