As far back as I can remember as a kid, my dad used a case XX trapper with a carbon steel blade...That is all I ever used until I until I saw my son skin out 3 deer without having to sharpen the blade...he did it with a Gerber that has the gut hook...I read about them and went and bought one...the best thing about them is that they are made in the USA and the price is fair...only thing I don't like about them is the blade is a little thicker than what I like...
I have always liked carbon steel... for me there's something about taking care of a carbon blade...keeping it from rusting, just taking care of it...