I've made a few using Helle blades and most of the stock removal was done using a belt sander. then a rasp and sand paper to get it smooth. A neat trick I have used is to buy small brass screws and nuts. I drill and tap holes thru the handle and thread the screws thru with a little epoxy, tape next to the wood and tighen the nuts down. When the epoxy is set I loosen the nuts and cut off the screw and sand smooth. Looks just like a pin only stronger.