Ron,
Congratulations on your daughter's engagement, upcoming wedding and what sounds like a fine future son-in-law!
Your craftsmanship is beautiful.
Here in North Carolina, there is a tradition of knife making. We see examples of this work regularly here at some of the shows I attend.
One of our community colleges (Montgomery community college in Troy NC) has a
knife making program that is well regarded. You're probably beyond much of what they teach.
I believe that you can get damascas steel blanks from a number of foundry suppliers in
India and other middle eastern locations. That would allow you practice on less expensive supplies.
Marc
__________________
Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum -
- Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.