They are both 150mm petty knives, so why is there a difference in weight depending on the handle?

The shopper is comparing the specifications of two petty knives with the same blade dimensions and steel, and is wondering why the listed weights differ depending on the type of handle.

Hitohira FJ VG-10 Wa Petty 150mm Taihei Ho Wood Handle

Hitohira FJ VG-10 Wa Petty 150mm Taihei Makassar Ebony Handle

hmmm editorial answer

Although the blade specifications are the same, the weights differ because of the wood used for the handles: lightweight Ho Wood versus dense and heavy Makassar Ebony.

The product fitted with a Ho Wood handle weighs 59g^[1], and the product fitted with a Makassar Ebony handle weighs 77g^[2].

Looking only at the blade specifications, the two petty knives from HITOHIRA are completely identical. Both products have a blade length of 150mm^[3]^[4], and the steel used for the blades is also Mono VG10^[5]^[6]. The component wrapping the front of the octagonal handle is likewise identical with a Buffalo Horn Ferrule^[7]^[8].

Even though the specifications of the blades and fitting components are the same, the reason the finished weights diverge comes down to the wood used for the handle body. In general, wood differs greatly in its structural density and specific gravity—the weight per unit volume—depending on the tree species.

Ebonies such as Makassar Ebony are representative hardwoods that are heavy enough to sink in water, with very dense and hard fiber structures. In contrast, Ho Wood, which is frequently used for traditional knife handles, is a wood that is soft-grained and light, reducing strain on the wrist. Ultimately, the difference in weight between the two knives stems from the inherent difference in density between the two woods that make up their handles.