stainless or high carbon damascus?

[metallicat]

Was told by CRK that if I wanted a damascus blade there are two flavors. They use Thomas Devlin steel. One is stainless and the other is high carbon. The high carbon is brighter ( I guess the pattern ) and can be blued. I was told that if the blade were to be used the bluing would wear off. ( I haven't decided but I know I will find it hard - impossible - to use this as it would be my first and only damascus blade). So I guess the question is stainless with a black and white etching, or high carbon with a blued etching? Would be curious to know what others have experienced. Thanks

 

[Larrin]

Well, it's all up to what you want, really. If you're worried about rust, then get stainless; however, if you know how to care for such blades, then get high carbon, because it has a greater contrast between the dark and light steels, making the pattern easier to see. Of course, the stainless still has a good contrast, so it would probably be the best of the both worlds. Also, the high carbon may be cheaper, don't know much about CRK's price system.