i apologize, when i say live steel, i mean steel that was designed for combat. i wouldn't pit a well made heavy rapier against a stainless steel one. The amount of carbon and other alloys in a steel blade affect its hardness and flexibility and can be varied according to the skill and desire of the smith.

Though you are right, depending on the shape of the blade too, like a falchion... those are designed to inflict deep wounds.