Patina is not a[n] " issue "
It is if you don't like patina...
It's simply a personal choice
Exactly. If your preference is stainless, buy stainless. If it's carbon, buy carbon. If you like both, get both. Who cares what anyone else says (an exception being Bill Howard; I would like it if he said, "More stainless!")?
I like stainless personally. Here are some of my favorites. The 2018 Buck forum 301 (CPM154), a Moki Kronos (VG10), a Camilus/Santa Fe Stoneworks (unknown, but definitely stainless), an A.G. Russell Pinched Peanut (VG10), a Canal Street Co-op (154CM) and a Fontenille-Pataud Laguiole XS (14C28N). All great knives with good steels. Apologies for the poor photo, but the thread needed one!