this is going to be more of a chore than I thought. started taking the handle off. removed the end cap...no nut, but I found why it is so well balanced...2 sticks of lead to give the handle weight.

so looking in the handle, the blade is not a full tang...but it will be when I'm done with it

I'm going to have my brother weld a piece of steel on to make it a full tang, then I'm going to sandwich the black walnut on the tang.