There are some excellent stainless steels that are tough enough for any sort of hunting, and some carbon steels that that don't stain much that are even tougher (3V for instance). And some very tough carbon steels that won't hold a edge.
It is correct to say though that the more stainless a knife steel is in general it is less tough.
The best carbon steels of today are also way better than the old traditional carbon steels - but are more difficult to sharpen. There are no free lunches.
There is a difference between tough and brittle. A good tough edge will roll and not chip. A poor temper and it will chip - brittle. You see that a lot with D2.
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