I haven't forged san mai in ten years. This was a piece of nickel plated mild steel with 1085 core. Handle is fire hardened bamboo with raw hide wrap.
Will do a raw hide sheath tomorrow
Thanks for looking.
Thanks. I used to make bows 20 years ago and we would heat treat the bamboo with a flame. The process does something to the natural resins but I couldn't tell you what. I just know that it hardens it a bit. So it's a hard, functional and replaceable option over wood. I have tons of wood and some stunning burls but for a quick primitive tool this is a viable and not so bad looking alternative that I have plenty of.
Just finished the sheath