This knife was built as a personal everyday carry and served as an opportunity to explore design ideas that would influence many of my future knives. The blade itself came from the remaining steel of a larger family project, giving me the freedom to experiment without the pressure of a customer commission. With the blade already heat treated, I was able to focus my attention on what interested me most at the time—developing more refined handle designs.

For the handle, I combined self-stabilized spalted sycamore with carbon fiber and blue G-10, creating a striking mix of natural and modern materials. More importantly, this project marked a turning point in how I approached handle shaping. Rather than settling for simple, straight profiles, I began pursuing more sculpted forms with flowing curves and improved ergonomics. The goal was to create a handle that felt dynamic and comfortable in the hand while maintaining an elegant appearance.

This knife also represents one of my first serious attempts at developing what I think of as a "Coke bottle" handle profile. Achieving those sweeping curves can feel intimidating during the grinding process, as it often seems like too much material is being removed. However, once the transitions are blended together, the result is a shape that feels natural, refined, and visually balanced.

The project also coincided with another milestone in my shop. Around this time, I transitioned from electro-etching my maker's mark with a Cricut-cut stencil to using a laser engraver, giving me a cleaner and more consistent way to sign my work. Looking back, this knife represents an important step in both my technical development and my evolution as a designer. It remains one of my personal favorites and still hangs on my wall as a reminder of that stage in my journey.