First: what type of steel is the blade?
Second: in my experience you can only research something for so long then put knowledge into practical use. With me as an example the first project whether its metal, wood, leather or what ever my first is always less than desirable. but the experience and knowledge gained from the project automatically gets introduced into the next project and so on and so forth. Practice is the key.
One saying that comes to mind is "How do you get to Carnegie Hall?.............PRACTICE!"
Don't get discouraged take what ever comments or "Constructive Criticism" and implement it into your next project and pretty soon your the one telling and explaining how tos' to people.
Oh and by the way Nice knife lot better than my first! :)