Handles for Japanese kitchen knives

[balrog]

I inherited a bunch of japanese kitchen knives recently. A lot of them have worn or missing handles.

Where can I find information on the wood type used and construction methods? I live in Hawaii so wood selection is tough at times.

Thanks!

 

[Jeff Clark]

The traditional handles are made of "Ho wood". Maybe you could do a Google search on it. Here's some general info:

http://www.knifeoutlet.com/traditional.htm

 

[Jason Cutter]

The ho wood is time proven to work well under the usual extreme kitchen conditions too. Many such knives also had buffalo horn hilts. It depends on how traditionally you want to restore those knives to. It could be an opportunity to attach some "customised" handles with nice stabilised woods or durable woods that will stand up to moisture, like the rosewoods. Jason.