Gee, I was only playing about Carbon being best. I have both and have used both. I do prefer Carbon! But I like Randall's SS as well. Carbon spots don't hurt a thing on a knife. If it is rusting that is one thing. Most of my carbon users have spots and are stained I think they have character. I don't mind as I may be a collector but I'm not a seller. So I look at them and try to recall what I did with the knife to get it to look so cool.