One of our local start-up companies in the business of making plasma jets, that "burned" atomic neon in a plasma hot enough to melt granite and brick, used to spray a tungsten carbide coating on one side of a cheap Woolie's paring or carving knife, and present these as gifts for the visiting folks to take home to their wives, they also were given a brick with their name burned into it for themselves. The idea as I recall, was that the stainless steel would wear away, leaving the incredibly sharp, thin layer of tungsten carbide, which did the cutting.

My experience in getting good cutlery is to shop where the cooks shop, at kitchen supply stores. The material is first rate, although the appearance may not be up to something you might buy at a local shop, but it won't cost as much either, as it was made for use, and not show. At one time when I was thinking of selling a line of consumer cutlery, I discovered I could find the same gear at a commercial store for half the price, as neither the fancy finish nor the salesman's and management's commissions had to be paid.

Dave