The missus treated me to an Eka Axe blade W1 in 12c27, of which as is my nature I've tested very hard - chopping, batoning and carving in dried, resinous knotty wood and I can honestly say that it's held an edge better than numerous "super steels" I have tried out on the same medium. Obviously 12c27 is a very tough steel stainless or otherwise and I'm sure Eka know how to HT but it just goes to show how an older "basic" steel is more than a match for much more modern steels.
It's an unconventional but great blade BTW.
It's an unconventional but great blade BTW.