abuse of carbon steel

[RescueRiley]

I was just wondering about bringing carbon steel knives out fishing on salt water or on kayak trips etc....I noticed alot of perople seem to have a blade for the woods and a coatal blade...I was wondering if just using a carbon blade for all of this would be considered abusive I know you'd have to c\scub it down with some freshwater frequently and dry it real good but it occurs to me that up till recently people spent months at a time at sea with carbon blades...just wanted some opinions..

 

[Troop]

I was just wondering about bringing carbon steel knives out fishing on salt water or on kayak trips etc....I noticed alot of perople seem to have a blade for the woods and a coatal blade...I was wondering if just using a carbon blade for all of this would be considered abusive I know you'd have to c\scub it down with some freshwater frequently and dry it real good but it occurs to me that up till recently people spent months at a time at sea with carbon blades...just wanted some opinions..

Yeah, Riley....you mean months at a time at sea w/ rusty carbon blades!
I am a big fan of HC blades, but, if I spent a lot of time around salt water, it'd be stainless for me....maybe VG-10, or S30V. If you'd take some time to take care of them, they'd be fine. But, they'd better have a decent coat of oil on them when not in use!

 

[saxon]

I've seen S30V behave like high carbon around salt water if not dried off. It won't rust as heavily but it will. If It were me, I'd want 440C for constant exposure. Carbon steels will require dilligent maintenance.

 

[Troop]

I've seen S30V behave like high carbon around salt water if not dried off. It won't rust as heavily but it will. If It were me, I'd want 440C for constant exposure. Carbon steels will require dilligent maintenance.

Really? Are you serious? Or, just kidding around? Never heard of that before.
- Thanks.