Good handle material decision on a damascus blade

Scott Reynolds sent us another couple of recent knives. Here is one in Juma and Stainless Steel damascus, clean lines and good attention to detail as always on this one.

To me it comes across as especially clean due to the simple, white colour of the handle.

I think this is a good knife design decision, over using a "complicated" material for the handle of a damascus blade. 

Thinking that the blade of a damascus knife draws the eye to it due to the pattern. Leaving the handle a single material and not too loud, leaves the focus on the blade rather than compete. I think that is a good decision, at least..

Now, I like burls and handle material combinations as much as the next knife maker. And I have seen several well-made examples of doing exactly the opposite, where the maker has made it work. 

But I have also seen examples where it just clashes a bit. Complex handle material combinations or multi-colour or otherwise very busy materials can add too much to an already "busy" knife sometimes.

Leaving me at least thinking that the below is a good decision, an elegant  clean backdrop rather than a competing focal point. And an ivory substitute like Juma here looks clean, classy and will have the heavy, warm feel of a natural material without any elephants being harmed. How good is that!

What do you think?

Does a damascus blade draw attention in a different way than a monosteel blade, affecting your design and materials for the handle?

Join the Australian Beginner Knife Making Group on Facebook and let us know your thoughts on handle materials vs damascus blades. Does a blade shape or material impact the handle material choice for you? How many different materials make a handle really pop, as opposed to lock thrown together?