Here's a small Damascus hunter I cobbled together a couple of years ago. Compared to the beautiful works of art I've seen on this thread, my little knife is rather plain Jane. It holds an edge quite well, though and has helped me field dress a lot of hogs and deer!

Nothing wrong with that knife. So many people grade knives by how pretty it looks mostly attracted to the handles. The handle does make a knife look pretty but it's intent it to be an extension of the blade during operation. The handle must be functional and with a material that will hold up, yet people buy knives by how pretty the handle is. Most that buy knives don't have a freaking clue of the composition of the blade, the hardness, flexibility, edge retention or ability to with stand the elements.

I know I sell knives; I can have two exact blades one with a plain looking micarta handle or one with some burl or spalted wood with a high finish and the fancy looking wood will out sell that plain micarta, even though that micarta will be around for 50 years and that pretty wood will look like a nasty old second hand knife sold at Good Will!
The wood is only good to be as good as the finish; stabilized wood is better, but I've seen people finish wood with JUNK I wouldn't put on a shoe shine box. Shiny is not always better.

Don't cut yourself short; that's a nice knife I like the pattern on the Damascus. If it's performed in the field, then it's met it's intended purpose. I temper my knives on the high side and have had so many hunters report back they were very satisfied with the performance of my knives in the field... That's why I make knives; my customers.

You're very kind, Jank! I tend to be a bit of a minimalist, and since I make knives for me and family members only, I can get by with using whatever wood I have left over from my wood working projects. I used bubinga for the scales you see on the little Damascus; not highly figured, but over 30 years old and very stable. I've even made a couple of sheaths out of wood. Not very practical, of course, but they are rather unique.

Sheaths out of wood are cool often used in puukkos; I've thought about it, but I just don't have the time or set up for wood.
Thanks for the nice words brother.

Very nice knife.

Thanks, Pitchfork! Here's a couple more I just built this spring in anticipation of some birthdays I have coming up. Nothing very exciting, but I'm hoping the grand kids that get them will be happy!

All good looking knives in my humble opinion, but I really dig that top one for your grandkiddo! The knife I carry in the field has a very similar shape.

That is some very nice work mikei. I really like the profile on both of those. Very nice shaping on the scales as well. That small one has a cool and unusual shape to it.

Thanks, folks; I do appreciate your nice comments about my little knives! I enjoy building them, and the family members that I gift them to at least pretend they're pleased with them! Makes an old man happy.

Very nice work, I'd be honored with any gift of that nature. Something handmade and heartfelt for sure.

Thanks, shumpertdavid. "Handmade and heartfelt for sure;" but they don't compare to the true artistry of the real knife makers who display their work on this site!

Those are some lucky grand kids! Can I call you Grandpaw? Or Daddy for a day? I aint too proud!

This for sure. They look very nice sir. I'd be proud to own one.

Thanks again, guys. Your positive comments encourage me to keep on keepin' on grinding out a few knives for family members each year!

bullfrog, I've already got 4 children and 4 grand children, so, right now, I'm not shopping for anyone to add to the list! But I appreciate your offer!

Look great