Cheers! I've seen them done with the leather just folded over and sewn up the edges so the cutting edge can't reach the fold at the bottom to cut into it but I prefer to @rse about and make it from three pieces although in this case the spine was so much thicker tat I had to insert two tapering pieces at the sides to allow for it. I've ended up with at least 4 sizes of stitch groover I should man up and start using them. Currently I'm just pressing on relly hard with a edge creasing tool and making a dent rather than doing a proper job.
After a soak in the hot citric acid the cement or was on the knife came off lovely, as did the rust. I,d assumed it was a new scales job otherwise I'd never soak a wooden handle but by some miracle the rosewood ( I think) seams to have survived he process. After a quick wire brush the blade says on it CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON & Co SHEFFIELD ENGLAND
who were bought out in 1955 by Wsotenholm and the factory was closed. They had started trading in 1854 and were well known for hunting and trade knives.
Shephards pie is done ( mash done with one of the turned wooden ones which was reported to work very well although the idiot started banging the wood on the side of the pan to knock the spud off like you'd do with a metal one until I screamed at him to scrape it off). So I'm off ski!
atb
Tom