Carbon steel
Why it wins in the woods, and the rust rule.
Carbon steel is the old-school choice, and for good reason: it takes a keener edge than most stainless, holds it longer, and resharpens in minutes on a pocket stone. The trade is rust — leave it wet and it will blush orange by morning.
Why it wins in the woods
Carbon is easy to sharpen because the steel is simple. One small stone and a strop bring a dull edge back in minutes — exactly what you need a hundred miles from a workshop.
The rust rule
after use wipe the blade dry before bed a thin coat of oil, or wax never sheath it wet, ever if it rusts sand it back, oil it, move on
Bottom line
If you're willing to care for a tool, carbon repays you. If you know you'll forget, stainless is the honest choice.