Good job on your knives! I have to recommend cocobolo for the handles. I did a ferro rod with a cocobolo handle, sealed it with lacquer, and buffed it and it came out great! In the direct light it has a gold "shimmer" (for lack of a better term) that changes with the light. Here's how it looks without being in direct light:



The nice thing about cocobolo is that doesn't need to be stabilized due to the high oil content of the wood.

Again, good work and I can't wait to see the finished product!