No, pakkawood doesn’t come from the pakka tree. It is a human-made wooden material that is known for its benefits of being exceptionally durable and inert.
This brings us to the question, what is pakkawood? What makes it different from natural wood?
In this guide, we answer all the burning questions you have about pakkawood.
Quick Summary
- Pakkawood is a composite of wood and plastic, created with wood veneers and phenolic resins, known for durability and inertness.
- This material is commonly used for knife handles, spoons, spatulas, and pool cues, its resistance to water and heat suits various applications.
- It requires careful handling, is not dishwasher safe, and maintenance includes oiling, sanding, and polishing; avoid soaking to prevent damage.
What Is Pakkawood Exactly?
Pakkawood or pakka wood is a type of plywood that is also called Staminawood and Colorwood. Moisture is removed well from pieces of wood veneer using a vacuum process.
The new wood pieces are then glued together with phenolic resins under high pressure. Many people see this material as a composite product of wood and plastic.
Some are dyed with colored resin to change the color. You can color pakkawood to have the appearance of natural wood such as oak wood or chestnut wood.
For a more eclectic appearance, you can use dyes of different colors to create the best rainbow or camouflage designs on your pakkawood material.
3 Common Uses
This material can be used for lots of wood-like applications, including kitchen utensils, military equipment, and pool cues.
1. Knife Handles & Tactical Knives
Pakkawood is most commonly used to make knife handles due to its top resistance to water. Pakkawood handles are used for kitchen knives and steak knives. If you often enjoy woodworking, you can purchase available pakkawood material and shape one to make custom wood-like knife handles, that may last for years.
Pakkawood knife handles are an alternative to natural wood handles that tend to crack, split and discolor.
Also, due to its high durability, the material is used to make the handles of tactical knives and military knives. If you prefer the look of wooden knife handles, you'll find the pakkawood tactical knife as a good wood alternative.
“A good knife should last you a lifetime.”
- Phil McMahon, co-owner of Rhineland Cutlery in Melbourne
Recommended Article: What Knife for Cutting Meat Do We Recommend?
2. Cooking Spoons & Spatulas
An example of the uses of pakkawood is to make cooking spoons and spatulas. The material is heat-resistant and water-resistant, which makes it suitable for use as cooking utensils. Unlike steel, this material will not scratch your non-stick cooking pans. Pakkawood spoons and spatulas also come in multi-colored options to add some vibrance to your kitchen.
3. Pakkawood Pool Cues
Pakkawood pool cues are heavy, as the material is very dense. If you are looking for a heavy break cue that is very strong, this material is something you might be looking for. You may already know these pool cues by another name called Dymondwood pool cues.
Why Is Pakkawood So Popular?
The material has a wooden appearance and feel but is resistant to water. The problem with natural wood is that it can split and warp when exposed to moisture [1]. Pakkawood does not have issues like natural wood.
It has high strength and durability and can come in lots of colors due to the addition of dyes. It is also a very dense material due to the high heat and pressure used during the production process.
Care & Maintenance
It is not good practice to soak your pakkawood product for extended periods of time. While pakkawood is resistant to water, it is still made of wood and may be damaged. Are your handles fading due to wear? Use tung oil or mineral oil, the same ones you use for any other wooden piece, and buff with a soft cloth. Tru-oil is another thing you can use.
In cases where oiling the pakkawood isn’t enough to get the shiny type finish you’re used to, try to use sandpaper. Start with about 120 grit. Coat the pakkawood with oil and leave it for a few hours. Polishing and sanding give an aesthetic finish to the wood.
Repeat the process again, working your way up to 240 grit and 400 grit. You can do this as many times as you like with multiple coats to polish the surface of your pakkawood. Finish off with a layer of varnish or wax.
Is Pakkawood Dishwasher Safe?
No, a pakkawood is not dishwasher safe. Pakkawood is made up of wood veneers, so it is generally recommended to hand wash your pakkawood knives.
What Is Pakkawood-Answered
Pakkawood may sound like a foreign term, but it is commonly used in many kitchen knives. It is known for being durable, strong, and water-resistant. You can use this for many other things, including military equipment, pool cues, and utensils.
Did this guide help you? Share this on your social media and check out our related posts.
References:
- Western Dry Klin Association. (1992). Splits and Cracks In Wood. Retrieved from https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/dspace/bitstream/1957/5302/1/Splits_Cracks_Wood_ocr.pdf
- CFR - Code of Federal Regulations Title 21. Accessdata.fda.gov. (2022). Retrieved from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=177.2410
