I have been guilty of having too much handle material. True story! Sphinx's Bowie is an example of (what I have called, for years) "Exhibition-Grade IW". Some of you old timers might remember these pieces. 8 1/2 years ago I featured them in a "wood-wheel" on this very forum, after I returned from the 2010 Blade show.
Stabilization works well on many exotic woods but, in the case of ironwood, I prefer to wait for some time before I rush in and make RMKs with it. (I guess enough time has passed)...
Stay sharp, Capt. Chris