Sorry for the double post, too late to edit it.
On my handle I used ferric nitrate and potassium permanganate like finishing a muzzle loader. Turned out high contrast with some chatoyance and a lot of grain that wasn't visible before staining/dyeing. I like the dark wood. I have been using this in the kitchen and on various projects, it is a useful design. Sears basically reproduced a buffalo skinner with his design. I couldn't figure out why the high bull nose, one source said it was fro prying the skin off. I went back and read woodcraft and it turns out that Sears used the knife as a spoon hence the high back.
