What is the difference between stainless steel and carbon steel?
Answer:
Stainless steel is less likely to rust or stain than carbon steel. To be considered a stainless steel it needs to contain more than 13% chromium. Stainless steel needs less maintenance and care. It will not usually discolor from cutting certain foods.
Carbon steel needs to be cleaned and dried when you are done using it. Carbon steel will build a patina with use. The patina will actually help protect the steel from rusting.
Why would someone want carbon steel? Carbon steel is a more traditional steel, it is usually pretty tough and holds a good edge. When it does get dull it can easily be resharpened. It is also cheaper than stainless steel.
Stainless steel has gotten a bad reputation, but I believe that it is due to some knife companies using very cheap grades of stainless steel that don't hold-up and are hard to resharpen.
Both steels can make a great knife. It comes down to personal preference.
Answer:
Stainless steel is less likely to rust or stain than carbon steel. To be considered a stainless steel it needs to contain more than 13% chromium. Stainless steel needs less maintenance and care. It will not usually discolor from cutting certain foods.
Carbon steel needs to be cleaned and dried when you are done using it. Carbon steel will build a patina with use. The patina will actually help protect the steel from rusting.
Why would someone want carbon steel? Carbon steel is a more traditional steel, it is usually pretty tough and holds a good edge. When it does get dull it can easily be resharpened. It is also cheaper than stainless steel.
Stainless steel has gotten a bad reputation, but I believe that it is due to some knife companies using very cheap grades of stainless steel that don't hold-up and are hard to resharpen.
Both steels can make a great knife. It comes down to personal preference.
