Speed..i'm still thinking the handle over.i have a bag of leather discs so that will be the main material.i wanted this to be a bit smaller copy of my Dads WW2 sheath knife and that has a stacked leather handle.i have moose and deer antler and plenty of birch bark around but i don't want it to be too fancy.the sheath will be that Swedish style where the knife drops in almost to the pommel and not the guard with a strap around the handle like American knives.Hans will have to trim the guard a bit.
as far as soul, i took a Army buddy who is now confined to a wheelchair over to the shop and had him pound on the red hot blade a few times for remembrance....