> In my ignorance, I thought high carbon and stainless steel were two 
> distinct materials. Was I
> wrong about this, or are the sellers just hustling?

I had the same impression, Don, but apparently the metallurgists have 
been at it and come up
with a high carbon stainless.  I still feel sceptical, but here's what I 
found:

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-high-carbon-stainless-
steel.htm">http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-high-carbon-stainless-steel.htm