When steel rusts the surface is cracked and removed pretty easily by friction, you often see parts rusted through after years or in places with salt on roads. T

When steel rusts the surface is cracked and removed pretty easily by friction, you often see parts rusted through after years or in places with salt on roads. That's definitely more than aesthetic. On the other hand, if you mean "worn" as in things like a brushed appearance you'd get that with 304 as well. I agree that brushed surfaces from use look nice, but actual rust is damage. ... that said the article calls it "rust" but if it's something else maybe it is no big deal. That analysis is cheap.