Ka-Bar gravitates toward two steels: 1095 Cro-Van and AUS-8A. Chromium in 1095 Cro-Van’s alloy helps resist corrosion, but there’s not very much of it. Therefore, 1095 Cro-Van blades carry a reputation for rusting. Ka-Bar coats a lot of its 1095 Cro-Van blades. Though the manufacturer doesn’t say so, I think the coating is a bit of a cheap way to fight corrosion. AUS-8A, on the other hand, resists corrosion quite well.