Artist Reply: Thanks. I can easily agree with the toofies going 'through' the blade. Hahah. Truth is when that piece was shot the blade was very far away from my teeth/lips because it was bloody sharp! (and carbon steel... carbon and drool don't get along to well ;) So I guess I got it stuck in my head that I could position the incisors to look like they are on top of it but the one in the back does look like it should be going 'through' it. :/ It's always good to have an outside POV, you are the first to point this out. :) As for the cross guard, that's just how it was in the original photo so I left it. It does distract, but, I would feel wrong if I darkened it. We were playing with lighting for that shoot. Blades are such.... interesting subjects to photograph. :)