I finished up the carving on the shaft. Going to keep it simple, with just a single set of lines, rather than full checkering. Sanded with 220 grit to take out any dings or such that accumulated while I was carving, then a coat of Tru-Oil. Note that the shaft appears darker than the handle. My expectation is that the colors will converge as I get more fine wood dust into the open grain of the shaft as I oil, then sand back with 0000 steel wool.

As for the handle, just some of the steel wool, then another coat of oil. There are a couple spots in the end grain that I’m not completely happy with the grain-filling so far, but I’m hoping that’ll get better as I put on more coats of oil.

Tomorrow is the joinery, I think.