Does this look like rust? (Chad Nichols Blackout Damascus)

[donkbet45]

Hi everyone, I recently bought a high-end custom and noticed a spot on the tang of the blade is unpolished... as well as the sharpening choil. I have a similar knife from the same maker where this spot on the tang is polished, but on this one, it has a brownish/red tint to it. Does this look like active rust or just some sort of natural byproduct of the steel/etch process? The blade steel is Chad Nichols Blackout Damascus.
Thanks for any input!

Pics:

https://imgur.com/a/1l0mjnz

 

[Bill DeShivs]

No, it's just where the steel was not finished/polished after etching.

 

[donkbet45]

No, it's just where the steel was not finished/polished after etching.

Thank you Bill, really appreciate the reply. What would cause the reddish-brown tint?

 

[Bill DeShivs]

Unfinished steel. It could have a little rust, but some WD40 on a Q tip should take care of it.