First knife kit - questions

[nailcreek]

I recently purchased parts to make a hidden tang knife, using stacked leather, buffalo horn and colored fiber for handle material.

Basically, my question is whether I should epoxy the handle materials together before assembling them on the tang. The pommel is a drilled and tapped piece of brass. I'm tempted to file the pommel down and fit an antler base onto it - ala Scagel.

Suggestions?