The rust I got came from inside the aluminum tube at the blade end. Couldn't say if it was from the screws holding the blade or the steel shaft that pulls the blade mechanism. After spotting rust, I made a point of trying to dry it out after use and did use some oil spray, but then I don't feel to good about putting it back in the water. Haven't torn it apart to see where the rust came from. It's surprising given it's aluminum and stainless, but something isn't...