What happened to this blade?

[coolhand68]

I'm not a knife-maker so I apologize if this thread doesn't belong here, I just figured what better place to ask this question than actual knife-makers.

This is a blade from an old Ulster Utility/camp knife I've been considering for purchase. I was wondering if someone could tell me what happened to this blade? I've seen several examples of these knives with these imperfections. They were issued to soldiers during WWII. Would this have left the factory in this condition or does it look like a repair was made in the field? Does it look safe to use? The other side of the blade is perfect, no blemishes. Thank you.

 

[PirateSeulb]

Looks like a corrosion and the rather perfect shape indicates it was probably in contact with a surface that traps the corrosive more readily allowing for such a precise marking on it.

 

[tltt]

I'm guessing this is an Ulster mountain knife that's coming out of Italy? If so, I'd wait on a better one. They've been showing in everything from nice condition to repaired. It's not a field repair or anything like that, they were found unused condition, but with various levels of corrosion damage. This one is bad.

 

[newdebate]

I'm not a knife-maker so I apologize if this thread doesn't belong here, I just figured what better place to ask this question than actual knife-makers.

This is a blade from an old Ulster Utility/camp knife I've been considering for purchase. I was wondering if someone could tell me what happened to this blade? I've seen several examples of these knives with these imperfections. They were issued to soldiers during WWII. Would this have left the factory in this condition or does it look like a repair was made in the field? Does it look safe to use? The other side of the blade is perfect, no blemishes. Thank you.

View attachment 1230969

Pipe lamination