This is the first piece of damascus i have played with and i really like the way it works. I made this one in 2 1/2 or 3 hours ready for heat treat. I do have a few questions should i weld the hidden tang on before i heat treat or after and Why? I drew up a blue print made a wooden copy .I have no steel or i would make all my models that way till then ill make up from some maple vener plywood i have. Tthe blade is 5 inches long ide have to say a saskatchewan buffalow skinner.