Hope I've got the right forum for this. Just trying to get some consensus. I bought an old W&B off of ebay (yeah, I know), and it mostly looks okay, needs a heck of a hone, but other than that seems fine. EXCEPT, it's got a kinda dark grey cruddy buildup on the tang (all along the notches cut there for gripping). Can't tell if it's the same stuff that the pitting on the blade is made of. I figured I'd just try to live with it, but , it's actually got a bit of an aroma to it that's way unpleasant...I'm not sure I can accurately describe it...it's got the sort of pungent feel of like gross old french fry oil, but very faint. But definitely there. Any thoughts on what the heck it is? And more importantly, how do I kill it?

Thanks!