that picture of me with the wakizashi, that's its accompanying blade and it cost almost as much and is made from high quality carbon steel and it is razor sharp.... carbon steel when it is good quality can make excellent blades however stainless steel requires no maintenance, does not corrode, and it can be sharpened finely at 402 quality... 302 not so much and those are the cheaper blades; but when you get down to knives, titanium is where it's at