One way to tell is if there are more than one listing of the "same" configuration, each with different pics. And if only one, the good dealers will have "knife pictured is the one you will receive" somewhere in the description or close to the Buy It button. This has been my experience anyway. And the main dealers that I have purchased damascus bladed knives from have never "let me down" with a poor or different knife from the one pictured. Now, maybe this is more iffy on the big auction site, or from that little known website of a dealer in Podonk City...