What type of wood is used on this Japanese tool?

you may have noticed that you always have same type of wood for different tools.

it is whitish, some times little tan, very light and soft wood.

The wood on these tools are made of Magnolia obovata.

It is very soft and kind of dense. easy to modify, easy to cut, carve.

and the blade or steel tang is tightly attached to the wood.

if you pick hardwood such as a rosewood or walnut.

you will have hard time sticking the blade in the the wood. because they are hard

and easily cracked from forcing the steel in the wood grain.

Magnolia obovata  will get patina look after years of use.

they will turn into some kind of polished brown/grey look.

I had my handle U-ru-shi finished.

it will preserve the wood for many years.

I recommend you to put some wood finish oils on the handle.

because it will get soaked and dried a lot when sharpening the blade.

some Japanese leather workers take out the blade and sharpens it and then

put it back to the handle.

that's why they are designed to come apart.