Lycosa,
I actually have no idea -- purely by coincidence, I was browsing his site. I don't think he says what the handle slabs are.
Me, personally, I put Hartsfields in the same category as Pateks... While I could afford both, I'm not sure I could bring myself to use either for fear of damage... which, honestly, would make me stick to lesser examples.
I imagine the Hartsfield is an incredible knife.
It would be sweet if you did indeed get one.
-j