Spalted Maple/Damascus fighter

[Ben Seward]

Here's a Bodyguard variant. Spalted maple handle, polished zirconium guard, and laddered damascus blade. Sheath is from Dad.
Thanks for lookin, comments / critique welcome.

[/url]2016-02-26 19.48.23 by sewardknives, on Flickr[/IMG]

 

[i4Marc]

Nice looking knife Ben.....I think. Photo is too dark to see the details. What are the benefits of using zirconium besides the exotic name factor? Is it easy to machine, drill, bend, sand, add surface finishes or patinas, etc?

 

[Ben Seward]

Zirconium is kind of a pain to machine because of the volatility of the dust/small shavings. When polished and heated it gives basically the effect of a fine gunblued finish without the rust factor. The finish is quite durable and scratch resistant.

 

[i4Marc]

Ok, cool. Thanks for giving us a better look at that handsome knife.