Is this rust or patina?

[ErikMB]

I can't tell if the orange-ish color is rust or good patina.

Anyone have some insight on this?

 

[anthonycastorena2014]

That's patina buddy!! Very nice. It will develop into something unique and beautiful after time. I have let them occur naturally like yours, amd forced it. I prefer the one of a kind signature that comes with use. Especially if you use it for game, or meat processing. Really nice blues and reds come out beautifully on GECs 1095. I had a freaking awesome patina on my 23. One of the pins came out so I sent it back to GEC. I didn't think to ask them not to buff it. When I got it back my work of art was gone.... I have another 23 with some patina on it in the safe. I'll upload a pic or two here in a bit for you.

 

[ErikMB]

Even that red/orange color?

 

[garry3]

Patina is forever changing. Chipotle peppers turn most blades black almost instantly, watermelon has some nice colors, as do most proteins. If you don't like the patina just polish it out with a mild abrasive like bar keeper's friend or somthing and start over.
This is what tasso ham did...

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

MIght rub the orange/brown areas with a soft pencil eraser, or a paper towel or white rag moistened with WD-40. If you see orange/brown staining on the eraser or rag/towel, that's the sort of rust you don't want. The orange oxide ('rust') is more loosely bound to the steel - so it can rub off pretty easily. It's porous and can hold moisture which will do more damage. A dark oxide 'patina' is more durable and won't harm the steel.

Sometimes the red/orange/brown in the 'patina' will be some rust hiding among the dark oxide and both can form at the same time, depending on what the steel is exposed to. So you need to keep an eye on it - the rust is more clearly recognized under magnification and BRIGHT light.

 

[ErikMB]

Rubbed with an eraser.

 

[Hickory n steel]

That's patina, I tend to get that color from a nice juicy steak.

 

[ErikMB]

I forced some more on with coffee and harissa hot sauce. I hope it's not rust. I hope I am not playing with this expensive knife so much that I am damaging it.