The hand guard and pommel are not brass, or even brass appearing, just stainless like the blade. As others have said it's not A-2. And in my opinion the worst part, there is no belly to the blade. It is widest at the hilt and narrows to the point. There is curve from the hilt to the point so the shearing is terrific but I thought from the picture that there was some belly towards the front of the blade but there is not. This must be a newer design, but I don't think an improved design.