What am I actually holding in my hand?

If you are interested in a quality knife surfing the Internet and comparing the parameters of individual models, it is not easy at all. Terms like aogami, shirogami, SPG, VG, SUS, SKD, pakka, stamina, micarta... Who should know that? However, with often considerable investments, it is worthwhile to orientate in these terms. So let's talk about a material that often occurs not only on Japanese knives – pakkawood.

Pakkawood, sometimes referred to as stamina or stabilized wood. We find it on the handles of knives and other tools. Due to its properties, it has become a highly sought-after material. It is aesthetic, strong, durable and can be well machined. Basically, it is laminated wood. But by no means are we talking about cheap plywood or sawdust. The basis for the production of pakkawood is healthy quality wood. It is chosen according to its texture. The wood is cut into thin veneers. Their thickness varies and depends on the type of wood or the habits of the manufacturer. Veneers can be used in natural color or stained in different shades. The individual veneers are covered with natural resin and then layered. At high pressure and temperature, a sandwich material is formed. For the cutlery industry, pakkawood is supplied in square bars of various sizes. The knife makers cut them to the required length and machine them on cutters. The final handles are then polished.

So in the case of pakkawood, we hold quality wood in our hands, which, unlike the solid wood, does not work, i.e. it does not crack or twist.

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