Knife scale turned red?

[Cck87]

Can anyone tell me if this is normal?

 

[GoldSkula]

[deleted]

 

[Cck87]

I’m new to forging steel and I just Want to make sure I didn’t overheat it or ruin it.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

A photo would help a lot.
Most likely it is just iron oxide, AKA rust.

 

[Sam Dean]

Looks like red rust to me.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

On a lot of my blades that kind of look makes me check my fingers for a cut.