I plan on using it for a skinner It will be replacing my Wade & Butchers woodcraft clone (it was made circa 1936, so even then knifemakers were copying each other's design) I bought that knife back in 1980 and used it constantly until about 5 or 6 years ago when I semi-retired it after Mike Stewart refurbished it for me. I will know fully retire it as I couldn't bare to lose it now
As for a patina, I love the natural patina that a well used/cared for carbon blade attains. At my heart I love traditional steel.
The stripes of a tiger don't wash away.
Be a man of steel not clay
JYD #102