Howdy!!
As someone who is as "guilty" as the next man (probably even more so) as far as "Showmanship" as far as cutting things go..let me say this..
So far everything described here is fully within the realm of a good quality, PROPERLY heat treated blade. I have cut mild steel bars, hanging rope, rope thrown in the air and most anything and everything else. It is all in the KNOWING how to do it.
The "classic" cutting a hanging rope has more to do with the proper technique and speed than it does with the blade. I can show you how to cut a 1 1/4" hanging rope using a properly sharpened "Old Hickory" (a very VERY good quality kitchen knife by the way....) 8" chef knife..It's all knowing how to "attack" the problem.
However it is impressive to the "masses" as they say and 99 out of 100 folks have no idea at all as to what a good, high quality blade is capable of in the right hands. Will all blades do all things? No, that is like asking for a screw driver to do the job of a hammer... Knowing what you will be cutting and how to cut it is a big help in "Showmanship"..The proper blade edge and total geometry does play a major factor. One cannot expect a cold chisel to be a good razor just as you cannot expect a razor to survive being used as a cold chisel. The proper tool for the job is very important, especially when cutting is involved.
Like I said above..I am probaly more "guilty" of doing this sort of thing as anyone else. It's knowing what to use for what, THAT is the key to this stuff.
JPH