Yeah, pretty much. The Kohetsu HAP40 has surpassed (IMHO) the Ikeda (SRS-15) as far as edge retention is concerned. Both get equally sharp but the Koehtsu holds it's edge longer (significantly, but not mind-blowingly so). Seeing as they are around the same price (I think the Kohetsu is a little cheaper actually) I have to now recommend the Kohetsu over the Ikeda. If anyone knows of another knife out these that can hang with the HAP40, I'm all ears... cause I haven't found one... and that includes R2, SRS-15, ZDP-189, COWRY-X, AEB-L, etc.... I'd like to try a kitchen knife in M4 though...or REX 121. Alas, the HAP40 will have to do for now.