European Uddeholm (now Bohler-Uddeholm) introduced Elmax which is a high chromium-vanadium-molybdenum alloyed powdered steel with extremely high wear and corrosion resistance.  Elmax is stainless but acts in many ways like a carbon steel.  You get superb edge holding and relatively easy sharpening while maintaining a healthy resistance to rust.  The ‘best all round’ knife steel?  Perhaps.  What’s great to see is that Bohler-Uddeholm sure is giving Crucible a run for their money these days.  Great example of a superb Elmax blade is found on the popular Bradford Guardian 5.5