Sure is, many people will refrain from leveling up their sub-S rank tools b/c you only get back a % of ores used on leveling the tools.

Doesn't make sense to deplete your resources everyday keeping all those B/A rank tools leveled up when a S rank may come along any time and you'll be "behind" even after recycling those B/A rank tools b/c the other joe who kept most of their resources will be way ahead then.

Max tool level is 75 on each tool. My A-Rank tool on my slot 1s close to L60 now, it starts to take a lot to level it up and the recycled amount isn't worth dumping so many ores on an A rank. I guess my opinions more geared towards the most serious player, but from personal server experience,the competitive players have all paid into the advance forge feature hoping to get that 1st S tool as early as possible.