You know, a thought has struck me: The formal sgians that we buy often have lousy blades inasmuch as they flex. I wonder about the older ones. OC Richard would likely know for sure, as would more than a few other members here.

I wonder about the importance of that. Even my Victorinox pocket knife is sturdier than those. Is it because it's merely meant as ceremonial decoration, or because they're just cheapies sold at far too high a price for what they are, or . . .

I'd be interested in murmurs on this topic too with permission of the OP if it's not hijacking the thread and wandering too far off topic.