200 layer Damascus in ironwood burl

200 layer Damascus made from 1095 high carbon and 15n20 nickel steel in a raindrop pattern. I did not make the blade but I did etch it. Blade is 3.5 inches long with a gut hook and thumb notch top, file worked tang on the top and bottom and 1/8 inch thick. Very stout and sturdy blade hardened to 60 on the Rockwell scale. Handles are Gabon ebony backed desert ironwood burl and pinned with nickel silver rod. The photos dont catch the figure in the wood. Turned out nice IMHO. Now I have to decide what to do with it, keep it or sell it.

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Good looking knife, personal thing...never been a fan of the gut-hook. Looks like it would really work skinning larger game with style.

Don't see the point in gut hooks either but certainly appreciate the knife and the steel!

Wouldn't one of the non-natural non-porous handle materials be better for the purpose of gutting and skinning?

Actually one of the best handle materials for gutting and skinning is ivory because it gets sticky when it gets wet, not slick.

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Originally Posted by Bruno

Wouldn't one of the non-natural non-porous handle materials be better for the purpose of gutting and skinning?

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Nice work, I love ironwood handles on knives!

I am glad I stumbled onto this thread this is a beautiful blade. I love Damascus/pattern welded steel!