Anyone know what the Kershaw Trooper's handle is made of?

[TheMightyGoat]

Their homepage just says "ebony" handle. It looks like it could be either wood or something synthetic, but I have no idea.

While I'm asking odd questions about the Trooper, does anyone know why it came with a small rectangle of metal in the case behind the papers?

 

[Keith Montgomery]

It is ebony hardwood.

Is there a place somewhere on the presentation case that you can put that metal plate? I think it is meant to be engraved and then put on the case.