Thanks Casey302.
This is an extremely interesting post. It explains why I can't see actual corrosion pitting at the edge, but still experience disintegrating steel. It also sounds very much in concordance with everything I'm experiencing with this blade, that certainly has been stored in corrosive conditions, based on the pitting present on the blade.

The knowledge present at this forum never seizes to amaze me.

I indeed hope that I can get past the problem zone.

Bart.