Well, I've never forged a knife so my critique is based on next to no knowledge. They are great looking knives. I prefer the second one, and as it has been mentioned it is sort of spydercoish. Or as I say, cop knife. Looks good. the Micarta looks quite toothy. can you tell about how it is made? If I had a criticism, it would be that to my eye, if the leading edge of the scales paralleled the plunge line, it would just seem more in place. but it is an aesthetic opinion. It's a sweet knife. as is the other.