Doug,

All of the comments are great considerations. I too believe that the Border Patrol handle shows up quality grain and color the best.

Be sure to stabilize the wood and let it sit in a properly controlled environment as long as you can possibly wait. I have had dense handle materials such as Musk-ox and Lignum Vitae move (shrink/develop hairline cracks). Especially during the heating months, you need to add moisture to the air where you store your knives and handle materials.

Tom Flynn