Forged up some choker cable. It's got an open weld but it's not caused a problem . The handle is maple burl . I drilled the aluminum rod and inserted brass pins. 

Copper buss bar for the guard and a piece of black and silver dyamomd wood for the butt cap. 

only a problem to your reputation for doing great work....

I don't plan to sale it. 

Beautiful knife. Unfortunate about the weld, but still a very lovely piece.

Yeah that cable is tricky stuff. This is my third attempt and the closet I've come to getting it right. I've been emailing James McClendon . Can't wait to start another one. 

I keep my failures as personal users and abusers myself; but I don't usually go so far on the handling.

This is a new way to finish that I've been playing around with. I almost threw the billet away because of the open weld. Glad I didn't. 

Im glad you didnt as well, i think it turned out great. Its one of the better cable patterns ive seen. Has a very "reptile scales" sort of look to it. And im loving that handle! Bummer about the open weld, but still a reasonable success in my book. Great work. 

Thanks. I twisted it two times to get it that tight of a pattern. I sure hope I get it right on the next one. 

Looks good! What did you use to etch?

Ferric chloride