I built this one up on a bit of a whim. I'd been sat staring at a piece of Mike Blue's 600 layer 'mascus for a dog's age, wondering just what to do with it.

I was inspired to have a go at a full flat ground blade, with a guard (2 things I've never really attempted properly before) to make up a small hunting knife.

This is the end result which, although I say so myself, I'm tickled pink with! The etch has gone very wierd & not at all what I was expecting. I had a Q&A head-scratching session with my good friend Toby Crocker, tried various different strength etchants, polished to better & better grits, but for some reason I cannot seem to get the layering to show as well as I would've liked. It has a very, very deep etch now & I think it looks great! Nicely subdued in contrast with the chatoyance of the Ironwood.

OAL is 9" with a 4-1/4" blade. The guard is 420 stainless.

looks good!

Nice work Rob!
Could the lack of pattern be due to the fact that there is so many layers? It would seem to me that with 600 layers there would be only a fine pattern showing. Maybe the different types of steel used?
Looks awesome either way!!!

That's awesome Friend!
I would second the vote of etch depth may be a matter of high layer count.
Who cares? It looks great.

That's a fine looking job. I like the hardening line especially. Lin

really fine work, Rob. I like it a lot.

wow!! bro thats awesome i love the blade and the wood is great looking stuff man you done good as always  

You still have my address Rob? LOL Awesome work.

Geeze that's nice!

                       

Cool!!
I also like that harding line
Do you put that groove in the handle with the edge of belt or what??

Thanks guys.
Rooster, the grooves in the handleare done with  a round needle file, by hand

Knice Knife, Rob!