Hey Todd, i saw your post about drilling the tang slot. i was in your same position not too long ago, actually just yesterday i got an extra long drill bit, that works great. but back before i had it, i drilled as far as i could with the bit, and then i used a needle file to really get in there. just kinda stabbed it in and out, while it is primitive, it works. but what can work even better is to get a long nail, and hammer it in there so you get that hole deeper, even faster. just make sure you mark the nail to where you want to stop going down so you dont break through to the bottom of your burl. unless that is what you want to do.

Hey Tod, that wood I am using with the blue swirls..it comes from this site

http://www.ankromexotics.com/products.php

Welcome to IKC and thanks for joining.  When you get a chance we would love to see some of your knives