Well guys I have just finished my first knife and am ready for the firing squad ...But I think it actually turned out pretty good and I know I couldn't have done it with out the generous posts here on Trad Gang.
So the 1st. 1st. was to forge weld a few layers of 1/4th inch of   "unobtanium" actually it was the business end of an envelope die "that lasts forever"
The second 1st. was to try forge to shape ...but did have to do lil stock removal.
The 3rd 1st. was to pin the slab sides on .
The 4th. 1st. was to repair the broken slab sides after the pin burred on the tang while setting the last pin,     soo thats when I had to learn woodworking to mate on the gabon ebony up front.  
Then for the craft of leatherwork...whole nother story (and art form)
And the deer is a european mount of the first deer ever taken with my bow. (including the 2 broken points)
I left the hammer marks as I like the" homemade look".
I left it in satin finish so you can see the forge weld lines (even though they didn't show up in pics

Well any input would be great as you all have been my unknowing mentors.  

Good first effort.  I am really liking the sheath.  I think that the edge where the stell rolls out of the finger cut into the blade area should have been rounded or given a bevel.  It would provide a smoother more refined look.  The handle looks a bit to wide / thick for the balance of the blade.  I assume it fits your hand and that is what matters.  Overall a great set of firsts and a very nice knife and sheath set.  Great job.

I'll bet you get over leaving hammer marks in the blade-I used to feel the same way,now I try to get them all out-But the first ones I wanted to look like I made them.
Hammer marks or not, its pretty.And nice leatherwork too.Good work-and thanks for sharing
  Robert

#1 is very nice package. Love Your sheath!!

That is an awesome first knife, and I love the carving on your sheath.  Dan

Looks like a lot of effort and artistry went into that "first". I can invision some really good looking stuff in your future.      

yeah boy! great first knife.

Thats awesome. I love the sheath aswell very well done. Skippy

It took a lot of guts to attempt the welding. You did good. Lin  

Great job! I'm humbled by it! Leather work is top notch too!

WOW !! Thanks guys your replies mean alot !!! A friend at work ( a great blacksmith ) recently made a couple knives... & now I'm hooked.     Ya the pictures do make the handle look very thick ... but it actually tapers down towards the blade and has a couple finger groves slightly rounded into it that didn't show up the in pics. ( Guess I should have let the woman take'em.)...Naaaa  

I can't critique on anything, but I will offer you a big