OK, Crew,
We are going with:
* RMK Model #7-5"
* #6 blade grind (1 option)
Let's decide on the blade steel. Although several have shown their preference, we have yet to vote on which one we are building. Advantages? Well: Stainless seems an obvious choice, when talking about wet usage, possibly saltwater usage, etc. "BUT" (I know, I know) carbon steel works quite well for cleaning fish, well-kept or not.
Stainless, if you always want the knife to "look good" gets the nod also. I have also detected a slight "rust-like" taste when slicing up already prepared food to eat..."IF"...the knife has not been properly cleaned first.
Carbon is slightly lower on the Rockwell scale making it a tad easier to sharpen. This is not nearly as critical "if" you don't let the knife get too dull. Touching a Randall knife up (or any knife, for that matter) is always much easier than using one to dullness and then having to re-shape and get a keen edge back again. That is just plain common sense.
Pappy stated that he hasn't noticed any difference using carbon over stainless. That is probably because Pappy "keeps" his blades sharp! So do I! Have I let one get too dull, from time-to-time? Abso-frigging-lutley! It happens. Being nearly done with a cleaning or skinning or gutting tasks...and having no ready access to sharpening equipment results in your knife getting too dull to be of much good. I keep a large Norton Tri-hone (just like the Randall shop uses) at my hunting camp, along with a Spyderco Tri-sharpener. I also sharpen a load of knives...each and every year. Some are mine but most are my fellow hunting buddies. I have had to re-edge just about every type of blade shape, grind and bevel you can imagine...with just about every rating on a Rockwell "C" scale known to man! The point is: I'm good at it and don't have a huge problem doing it. It is more time-consuming...the worse off the blade is to start with but doable.
If we are building this knife, just to be a safe queen that's one thing. If we are actually going to "USE" it...quite another! Both steels are excellent. You, the crew, decide. Let's talk about it, think it out (and over) and come up with the game plan.
If we are too divided, I'll come up with something. Let me hear from you folks.
Thanks, Capt. Chris