So first off this knife is all firsts for me, and I am sure I have a lot to learn in this genre of knives! This is my first time attempting a hamon and first Japanese style blade and handle. I want to thank John White for all the info he has posted on the subject of producing a nice hamon with W2, this was my first quench and it came out nicely I think.

The Blade is some W2 that I got from JM Jones, he forged it down for me probably a year ago and I finally got some Parks 50 so I could give it a try.
It was polished to 2500 grit and then etched to show a nice active hamon. What a pain to photograph!!
The spine is crested all the way through the handle, and the tang is tapered for a very balanced and light feel.

The handle is ivory ray skin, with brown Tsuka ito, thanks to Josh Mason for teaching me how to do this style wrap. It is soaked in minwax wood hardener(thanks James Helm), and is nice and solid without looking like a glob of glue.
The menuki is a copper piece I carved into a feather and antiqued, another first for me.
The OAL is 11" with a 6" blade.
Let me know what you guys think, any and all comments are welcome.











Here is a short video showing the knife a little better
http://youtu.be/Ibu_VIyuB4A

I like that a lot. Classy but just enough rustic to make me smile.
Darcy

I like that one as well Ben.
Nice job.

CTT

Very cool!

Thanks guys!

I like the looks of the blade how comfortable is the handle in your hand.

It is actually quite comfortable, and is very fast in hand.

Ben, your pushing yourself and moving out of your comfort zone. You have made huge jumps in your style and execution. Keep going, your moving up fast. Congrats.

Chris

Thanks Chris, I appreciate it very much.

Nice one Ben!

Sweeet    that's a good lookin' knife.  I've gotta couple like that and love 'em.  Good work, as usual.