In order of everyone's questions...
I started working on it about 5PM and got done halfway thru the night. About 8 hours work from soup to nuts.
No... it wasn't hand sanded...greaseless compound.
Getting nice Masur Birch is a crapshot. You never know what is going to appear after sanding with 150 grit.
And lastly.... thank you for the compliments.

By the way, the blade has "GB" with an anchor sign. Anyone know the maker? I've seen it before but cannot remember.