Did a trade a while back, and was lucky to receive a forged knife from Hickory Bill. The knife was hand forged from an old file and the blade is just the way I like 'em, w/ all the hammer marks etc.
The shape is a "coffin-bowie" and had perfectly good Osage scales well finnished, and a great belt sheath. Well, I wanted it to have a more NA look to it, so I replaced the scales with an antler (from Josh) set in a slot with cutlers pitch and finnished with sinew wrap. I took the sheath apart, dyed it dark walnut, and sewed on some hair on Eastern Moose....need to "bead" the top edge and she's done.
I cant thank bill enough, and apologize for the re-do, anybody in their right mind would have left her the way she was.....hope ya'll like it.
rich