^ Very interesting method! I will try that once it gets to me, assuming the pitch is the same material.
As for what the red material is at the base of the blade, I am assuming it is the kind of pitch that the rehilter used, so I am guessing it is not the plant-based pitch we're all used to seeing with Moro blades.
Either that or it's... Dare I say it, a really bad case of rust.
I am hoping it's the former.