Can I leave this orange "patina" on my knife or does it need to be cleaned away?

[RubbishCook]

I have one carbon knife that seems to have an orange patina in spots. Is this something that needs to be removed to properly maintain the knife? It isn't pitted that I can see.

 

[chefpaulm]

Rubbishcook
Keep an eye on it! It may be nothing or it may be the start of a rust spot..tough to tell!

 

[LifeByA1000Cuts]

Unless you want to keep the blade road finish as it is .. why not thin the knife a bit next time you sharpen?

 

[aboynamedsuita]

Have something similar on Kato cladding.

My plan is to just keep using unless I start to detect pitting. Interestingly, I've had some blue painters tape cause pitting (brown-red spots that are rough, not this brighter orange) in small spots. Probably in part to the fact I let it sit on for several months

 

[daveb]

I would take the orange off with a rust eraser, leave the rest of the patina alone. Then find a piece of cow.

 

[Marcelo Amaral]

You could rub a piece of cloth with sharpening stone powder on it. Depending on the stone powder, it could take off the orange color but not part of the patina.

 

[DanHumphrey]

Looks like Texas.

 

[bennyprofane]

I was recommended baking soda slurry (baking soda mixed with a little water) and a cork to rub it in another thread and find that it works great and doesn't scratch the blade.