Nice find, Tim.
And...prices in Belgium for these kinds of knives are rather hight, too. You have to be lucky to find a cheap one (when the seller doesn't know what he's selling
)
You say it's a plain one, but I don't have any trouble with this. If it's a real weapon, why would anyone take the time to decorate it ? Especially when it's a weapon used for throwing, with the chance to loose it.
In my opinion, the heavily decorated throwing knives are more for 'show'. By this I mean, to show the owner's wealth.
As to the handle, I've checked in some books (and sites), it can be anything : a leather bag, a woven bag, some copper binding,etc... In
www.mambele.be , I've also seen a similar one with a 'cloth' handle. Perhaps this would be the easiest way to make a handle. Just use a dirty piece of canvas.
I have a Zulgo throwing knife which has this type of handle. I don't think it's that old (I mean the handle), but it works.
Here is the whole throwing knife :
