I don't think Lin touched on this- but that portion near the front that appears to be stacked leather is actually wood- little rectangles of wood, turned in alternating directions to appear to be leather- I believe it's cherry wood- and it's stabilized.
A perfect example of why Lin is a Master Smith- AND an artist....combining materials and techniques that separate him from the crowd- always trying new things- always putting a personal twist on something others have done- to make it a "Rhea".
Fabulous knife...glad I got to hold it on two occasions recently.