This is the second mortised handle knife I've done in a row now, and is the one I used for demo purposes in my "Andersen Forge Reflections" videos.
However, in this dark curly walnut, if you didn't KNOW it was a two part handle, I don't even think you would notice it! Those curls disguised the mortise rather well.
The blade is hot-blued Random Damascus of 1095 and 15N20.
This is the second time I've utilized the domed pins process, most recently on the sheep horn knife. I don't mind - too much - peening pins in handles if they have some "give", like in the sheep horn. But I have seen far too many little cracks and such as a result of pins and bolts. (One of the many reasons I make so many take-down knives is the utter absence of unnecessary stresses on handle materials, while still retaining full-strength integrity due to my mechanical connection process.)
Well, my buddy Lin Rhea made me aware of a process to eliminate those stresses.
What you see underneath the domed pins are nearly 1/8" thick stainless "washers" that I made on my lathe that sit in pockets in the handle material and are epoxied in place.
When the pins are peened, any stresses they create are dispersed evenly through the stainless washers and none are transferred to the handle material. Yet, we still get full lateral holding strength.
I really love that idea and enjoyed using it on this knife.
I'm sure it's been used many times, it was just new to me.
So, I hope you enjoy the knife.