Steve-
As you know, I've already commented on this terrific knife and your work in general, when you posted in the "Display Case" in another group of knife forums.
Every time I hear about how collectors don't want to see wood in their "high-end" knives, it drives me nuts. Unfortunately, somewhere along the line, collectors got that notion that wood is too commonplace and that "exotic" materials are more valuable and harder to obtain, and therefore make the piece all the more collectable.
The reality is that an exquisite, presentation grade piece of Ironwood with a good amount of chatoyance (the "tiger's eye" effect) is harder to come by than a decent piece of Mother of Pearl, or Ivory, or Abalone. I'll take a gorgeous set of hard to find, highly figured snakewood scales over a so-so set of mammoth scales any day (In fairness, when the mammoth is real good, it's tough to beat...but then most mammoth these days is only fair, unless you're paying absolute top dollar).
Speaking of top dollar, when the aforementioned rare woods (and others) are at presentation grade, they can be pretty darn pricey!
I absolutely love the look of fine wood when juxtaposed with metal. Dark woods with silver inlay,...mmmmm. Or a breathtaking ironwood inlay in an engraved integral dagger...just doesn't get any sweeter.
Every now and then we do see high-end, wood handled knives fetching top dollar...Let's hope the collectors get more educated about fine woods and continue the trend.
In a perfect world, the "bar" by which the value or desireability of a knife is determined, should really have nothing to do with the choice of materials...but the overall, net effect achieved by the maker/artisan. Beautiful is beautiful...regardless of the materials involved.
BTW Steve...As I mentioned in the other Forum, it's good to see you back at work!
Dennis Greenbaum
Yeah Baby!
