The stainless effect is due to a very, very thin oxide layer - stainless is basically "pre-rusted". Now if you damage that layer it will rust just like any othe

The stainless effect is due to a very, very thin oxide layer - stainless is basically "pre-rusted". Now if you damage that layer it will rust just like any other steel (any steel alloy is still mostly iron!). So pretty good for your kitchen, not so good for a lot of other applications.