Tune, It is possible the "shrinkage" on the Ox handle shown by the excess metal exposed, could also be caused or made worse by temp. I have a slab sided pinned Ivory handled knife and each summer as the temp gets hotter the blade expands and there is more metal exposed past the handle slabs, in winter as the blade is colder it seems to contract and the handle slabs are flush with the metal tang. I have watched this occur over and over for several years as the seasons change. Perhaps this ebay knife is just going through it's summer expansion?