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Originally Posted by apolaki
... when I take it out of the bath to rinse it off with water and scrub it smells REALLY RANCID AND PUNGENT!!!! (Is it a toxin or hazardous to inhale)? My mind may be going overboard, but I wonder if it's arsneic or something? ...
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Foul smelling liquids are often contaminated with bacteria and molds. Vinegar contains plenty of nutrients for microorganisms to grow in an aqueous medium. When you say it smells "rancid," I think you are referring to products resulting from microbial contaminants rather than a toxic gas being emitted from acid contacting the metal of the blade.
One possibility might be hydrogen sulfide ("rotten egg gas") if there is any sulfur in the metal. I've not heard of this being a problem with acid etching of steel/iron. Perhaps others have some more information on that possibility. Otherwise, I think your term "rancid" probably covers what is happening here.
Ian