I agree with the reasons others have given, but this phenomena seems almost limited to Bussekin knives -- does the pock-marked "natural" finish, which takes so much effort to polish out, result from the special heat treat process?
I am pretty sure most if not all knife makers scuff the blade up before putting coating on it, if you took most any knife coated and stripped it I am sure you will find a rough surface. At least that is what I hear
