[Crex]

Rust spots like the one near the end of the edge usually indicates a "cold shut" were the weld didn't take. The ferric will go in deep to a open and is very hard to kill. Don't feel it affects the integrity of the blade unless directly on the edge. Sometimes you can kill by soaking in a baking soda rich solution, rinsing with windex, completely drying and oiling. Mostly depends on how deep the cold shut goes.

Very interesting pattern for sure. Have done similar with cable that was questionable and some masonry saw blade then used for outside layers of a 1095 core on a large San Mai blade. Lot of work for a small knife.