Hey guys,

I've had this question for a while: is Solingen steel actually inherently better or is it just a branding fad? I don't mean to start any controversial threads I'm just wondering whether the steel is actually worth the markup they're charging for it. While I've seen plenty of people just stamp "Solingen" on the blade and call it a day, I'm pretty sure those people are just trying to live off of the fame that the major companies in the area have produced. So are the reputable companies in the area really on another level or is it hype? Also, if they are better, is it worth the premium they are charging for it?

Thanks for your input!