One has to consider how often Bear gets into the water and wet not to choose stainless... but $700 is just too much!
That makes sense. We have seen Bear ride logs down the Amazon. We have seen him beat on the back of his knives with rocks. Have we seen him do anything with a knife that 420HC, 440C, AUS 6 or 8 could not handle? I want to see Bear sharpen his new wonder knife in the field. If it is is anything like ATS-34, they will have to extend the program time to three hours. Look at the SOG Seal knife and the testing it endured. I think they are AUS-6 steel. They cost about the same as a Scrapper 6. I'm sure that Bayley knife is very fine. AG Russell will probably have it one day. Its expensive enough to be there. I'll just "make do" with my Yard Keeper and some Tuf Cloth.
That does make sense and rust seems to be a big issue with some folks.
~$700 is rather over the top for that knife. The only reason you would buy it is because it's the knife "Bear" uses or for your collection. I can't possibly see buying it for field use.
HD is spot on ATS-34 (154cm) is as Bill Bagwell puts it a perfect Bitc% to sharpen. Not my first choice for a field knife.
As for rust well, for field knives let them darken naturally or cut acidic fruits to speed up the process. The oxidation layer will protect the blade well.
