Learning the art of bladesmithing

Knowing such a broad spectrum of creatives as I do, occasionally I get the opportunity to learn a new skill.
I'm pretty sure that I'm not the easiest of students, I have imaginative ideas and rarely start with the 101 approach. I tend to throw myself in at the deep end and go big....
My first knife I already had in my head and turned up with a firm design, this caused a little stir in the class but we ran with it as all were curious.

Here it is, the nearing completion of my kiridashi. Heavily stylised and ergonomic but utterly gorgeous on the eye and in the hand....

Blade awaiting scales

Not an easy shape