So I finally finished the dirty handled knife and as you can see I did end up getting rid of the maple burl scales and I ended up going with Macasar Ebony. The blade is D2 brushed with scotch brite belt and stainless steel pins in bolsters. This This knife was a nightmare... literally. I could not keep the maple burl scales clean then when I put the Ebony scales on I actually had a nightmare that they turn white when I was shaping them. I'm just glad it's done. Here it is. All that's left is a sheath and sharpening.
Nice knife Icho. Its not only eye catching. It looks like it will be a very comfortable well balanced knife to use as well. Hows the D2 to work with I've never tried it?
Thanks Grouch. I really like the D2. It is not a material that I would go for a mirror finish on and it is a tough material to grind but its toughness is what makes it a great blade steel. I also like it's "semi stainless steel" properties.