Yep, hand ground. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
I was lucky enough to win Rick's lottery at Blade and this one was available. I didn't realize it when I bought it but Rick said that he only releases a few carbon fiber each year and that there are "maybe" 25 out there. He will not sell the carbon fiber via order, you have to win the lottery at a show to buy one. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />
I thought long and hard about whether or not I could use such a rare knife but figured that it deserved to be carried. Rick said that I should beat the tar out of it and if I ever decided to sell it I could send it back to him and he would make it look good as new. At this point I have carried it for a few weeks without any scratches and it has seen very light use. Still looks mint at this point as you can see from the pic earlier.
Here are two pics that I took right after Blade:
This knife is the only reason I have my SnG on the market.