The main ingredient in any knife is the steel used.  It is the steel that determines how the knife holds an edge. To do this there are a number of elements mixed together like "ingredients"  such as carbon for hardness, chrome and molybdenum to give the steel durability and stain resistance. The steel used in the top German made brand is the same steel used in Bismarck Knives.  In order to reduce the cost to market, we ship the "German Steel" to our factory in China where craftsmen turn it into a beautiful product, albeit with the main "ingredient" being the steel from Germany. The result is if you are looking for a product that is going to last you a long time, made of the best materials at a great value for money price, you should buy a Bismarck.