This is a tough one !

[Gcckoka]

Just finished polishing the blade of my first forged knife , it was up to 800grit before heat treat , should I leave it like this or should I sand it again ? I really can't decide I dont want someone to think the blade is not finished and on other hand its very unique this way , help me decide

 

[Trencakey]

I'd leave it like that,looks great.

 

[Kepis]

leave it.

 

[crosslandkelly]

Looks good as it is.

 

[oldtimer]

The craftsman leaves his mark. Beautiful as it is. Less is more.

 

[sunndog]

Leave it

 

[Billy-o]

Leave it . O definitely leave it ... a bit of rustication will likely help a sale, and this way you can see its soul

If you turn the picture upside down, about 1/3rd of the way from the tip you can see the image of a kingfisher's head, clear as day. Maybe one of the birders here can make a better identification.

 

[Robson Valley]

Think it over for a month.

 

[ProjeKtWEREWOLF]

Love it. Very nice.

 

[Janne]

Very nice. Absolutely leave it!

 

[Fraxinus]

Leave it . O definitely leave it ... a bit of rustication will likely help a sale, and this way you can see its soul

If you turn the picture upside down, about 1/3rd of the way from the tip you can see the image of a kingfisher's head, clear as day. Maybe one of the birders here can make a better identification.

Looks like a little owl to me,
tried to upload cropped pic but photobucket of poo will not let me log in...again.
As per others leave it as is, smart looking blade, nice job.
Rob.

 

[Billy-o]

That's more like it. Though it is a bit like the man in the moon. Everyone can see it, but ask ten people and you'll get fifteen different opinions about what exactly they are looking at

 

[Nice65]

Leave it, it makes it unique to you, the maker. If you polish off all the patterns, it’ll look more like a production knife, which it clearly isn’t.

The bevels look good and show your craftsmanship anyway, so it’s never going to look lazy on your part.

Now get working on convex grinds and the patterns will look even better.

 

[Bionic]

As above. Definitely leave it. It looks absolutely amazing as it is

 

[Gcckoka]

Thank you very much everyone for the kind words ! I will leave it without a doubt

 

[Gcckoka]

For handle what would you guys recommend ? I'm thinking alder root

 

[Janne]

Root might detract from the blade.
With a ‘busy’ blade you want a more ’simple’ handle.
Can you get walnut?

 

[Gcckoka]

Yes I have a lot of it but only light color im out of the darker ones , will light walnut look good?

 

[Janne]

I think so. You can always stain it, by using walnut husks.

I always try to find a piece of wood where the grain makes an interesting whirl or something.

 

[Nice65]

Yes I have a lot of it but only light color im out of the darker ones , will light walnut look good?

Pic of the whole knife profile would be handy. I’m a fan of darker woods on blades with pattern or Damascus, it lets the silvery bits show up better.