Hand filling is correct. Also just enough texture on the stag to give a good grip. When you grasp this bugger, it, literally, becomes part of your hand, it would take a heckuva blow to dislodge it!
Red,
If not for the 'benza infection I just caught this would still reside in N.C.! Of course I hedged my bets a bit by taking the Covert I had Pat do up special back to him at the Blade Show and instruced him to replace the wood grips with stag. That will make a great knife once I get it back. It originally had some ironwood which I am partial too, but I like stag even more. I will try and post a pic when I get it back.
BTW, I picked up a Covert off of Pats table in Atlanta and examined it. I was thinking about picking another one of these up. Nothing wrong with it, but I really like the one I had him modify. I had Pat to make the stel spacer longer and go with thicker blade steel, 5/32" instead of 1/8" and the difference really makes a difference!
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Art Sigmon
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"
Php. 4:13
"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword"
Heb. 4:12