Is AUS8 a stainless or high carbon steel?

Most stainless steels are marketed as "high carbon stainless steel." It's just an attempt to make the knife seem of better quality.
 
It's only about .75% carbon so not really high carbon.
 
All that I know is that it rusts pretty fast in my front pocket.
 
Has to be "high carbon steel" to be a knife. Otherwise it's just "steel". Carbon is the primary element used to harden steel.

That said, "carbon steel" is a misnomer used to describe non-stainless.

Aus-8 is stainless, but it will rust more than most stainless.
 
I don't know what they're using for AUS-8 today ,Chinese I assume. My early CS Master Hunter has excellent steel , sharpens easily and holds an edge well and no corrosion problems ! Still have it and will keep it after many years !! If yours is Chinese made it probably is not real AUS-8 but a Chinese " equivalent " which could be anything !!! If you find an old one grab it ! Mine is at least 10 years old, with real Japanese steel !
 
adnj said:
All that I know is that it rusts pretty fast in my front pocket.
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Is it bead blasted? I find that changing the finish on AUS8 can have a fairly profound effect on the level of corrosion resistance. You might try polishing the blade and see if that helps.
 
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