The one to ask is Horn Dog, (may he return soon, in good health) he is in a warm humid enviroment and he striped many a blades. To my understanding a stain finish is a true finish in that it smothes out all the micro tiny bumps and valleys so there is no place for the moisture to collect and stay causing rust. In a self done job of stripping it is harder to get such a smooth finish and therefore the little valleys are nice pockets for water to do its damage.