Hey Pomsbz I'd like to think that despite its epic roundabout journey that yours is the last pigeon into the coop.
I'm wondering just out of curiosity where you are located for it to take such a convoluted odyssey.
Not that it matters other than I hope no one else is still waiting--it is February after all. Time 'n Tide.and all that.
I do like your upbeat review of the knife. You seem to find positives where many would delve deeper into criticism of every detail of perceived imperfection.
There are of course those with actual faults and that is subjective to individual preference.
"Yes ! We are All Individuals!"
Also you have actively gone about improving it to your desired standard -a forward thinking positive.
I mentioned earlier that I haven't seen one 2018 TFK that I didn't like the look of- but then neither am I looking for perfection...that- to me- would be a hopeless endeavour.
I agree fully with Prester Johns comment about these knives as mementos-very true and far more succinct than anything I could ever come up with.
As far as the NS bolsters go...I think if you were to sand them they would get all scratched up but tthen ffiner and finer grit and a go on a buffing wheel (cloth) would get them shiny again.
I have to get back up on deck to ready the ship for its next voyage into the unknown, there's cabins to be mopped out,sails to be patched ,timbers to be caulked, names to be made up,hounds to be taken for a walk, castle gates to be repaired,oh the list is endless.
Cheers