The H1 will NOT rust. I promise. I swam and snorkeled with a Pacific Salt for a week in the gulf when I first got it and it doesn't show a speck of rust. I didn't do anything to protect it.

Get one of the Caspian models in your hand and see how it feels. If you don't like the grip, then the steel won't even matter.

The Gerber Shorty hasn't been around this long for no reason though. It is used by many kayakers.

That's the extent of my experience in this matter.