What are hard-edge, flexible-back blades typically made of?

Hard-edge, flexible-back blades are typically made of high carbon steel due to the material's specific properties that make it suitable for precision cutting applications. High carbon steel possesses a good balance of hardness and flexibility, enabling the blade to maintain a sharp edge while still being able to bend without breaking. This is crucial in a variety of cutting tasks where both durability and adaptability are required.

Other materials listed, such as stainless steel, while known for their corrosion resistance, do not possess the same degree of flexibility combined with hardness needed for this type of blade. Plastics and wood are not viable options for blades designed for cutting due to their insufficient hardness and inability to hold an edge effectively. Thus, high carbon steel is the optimal choice for creating hard-edge, flexible-back blades, making it the correct answer.