If you are someone who loves shopping for kitchen tools, then Pakkawood is one word that you have probably heard of or read about several times. Most of you will assume that it is from the Pakka tree. However, it is not from a tree, even if it is technically called a wood.
If you want to know what is Pakkawood, we got your back! Keep on reading and learn from the insights we’ll be sharing in this short article.
So, What is Pakkawood?
Also called staminawood, colorwood, and dymonwood, among other names, Pakkawood is an engineered wood/resin composite. As mentioned in the introduction, this is not genuine wood. It is a synthetic wood, but it is well-loved by many because it is denser and more durable compared to real wood. It looks like conventional wood and is also available in a wide range of colors.
Today, the most popular application of Pakkawood is in the handles of kitchen knives. It is known for being resilient, so you can expect your knife to last a long time.
Composition of Pakkawood
Pakkawood is not 100% wood, but that does not mean that it does not contain wood. The base material is a hardwood veneer. It is then infused with a phenolic thermoset resin. Often, the wood is also dyed with bright colors. Incorporating dye into the material is done through a vacuum process. Meanwhile, resin addition is done through a high-pressure procedure. Veneer pieces are stacked and compressed. The resulting plywood blocks will have around 29 wood pieces per inch.
Appearance of Pakkawood
Now that we talked about the composition of Pakkawood, let’s briefly discuss its physical appearance, which will make it easy for you to have it identified. As mentioned earlier, it looks very much like real wood. This is expected given that it is composite wood. The main difference from real wood is that it is available in a wider range of colors.
The appearance of Pakka wood will remind you of the looks of walnut, chestnut, oak, and even zebrawood, which is an exotic type of wood. You can see it in multiple colors and patterns. There are even bright hues, such as fuchsia, if you dare to be different.
Properties of Pakkawood
There is a reason why Pakkawood is one of the most popular materials you will find in kitchen knives – it is durable. This is one of those materials that can withstand many years of use without compromising quality. It has a dense construction, which also makes it not easily prone to splitting and warping, unlike real wood. Aside from its longevity, another impressive property of Pakkawood is that it is waterproof. This makes it a great option in the kitchen. Even if your hand is wet or you clean it using running water, you don’t have to worry.
Uses of Pakkawood
There are many ways to use Pakkawood, but the most popular is perhaps in kitchen knives. This composite material is favored in kitchen knives. The mere fact that it is water-resistant is the main reason why it is a great choice for kitchen knives. It will not split, crack, or stain even after years of use. Even if you wash it with water when cleaning the knife, you don’t have to worry that being wet will affect its physical characteristics. Water will not speed up wear.
You will also commonly find Pakkawood wood used in tactical knives. This is a good material because of its durability. Even in military knives, Pakkawood is popular.
Cooking spoons and spatulas are also commonly made of Pakkawood. The logic for this is the same as what we mentioned earlier. This resin-infused wood does not warp or split. It is not damaged by water, and hence, it will make great material for any kitchen tool. It is also a great alternative to steel because it will not scratch your pans, especially those with non-stick coating.
If you play pool, then it is good to know that Pakkawood is also a common material used in cues. If you want a cue that is hard to break while still looking good, it is hard to go wrong with Pakkawood.
Pakkawood Care and Maintenance
Yes, Pakkawood is a durable material. However, this does not mean that you can ignore care and maintenance. Whether it is in kitchen knives or spatulas, you need to be proactive in taking care of this material.
Pakkawood is water-resistant. However, it is not waterproof. Because of this, it is not a good practice to soak the material in water for a long time. Doing this will cause irreversible damage. Regardless if it is a durable material, this wood has its limits.
Rather than soaking, give the wood a quick rinse. Be careful when using soap. Use only mild soap to preserve the quality of the material.
Using mineral oil in Pakkawood is another easy way to maintain its quality over time. Use mineral oil or tung oil. Buff it with a soft cloth. This is a good procedure for restoration, especially in old material. You can also use sandpaper to restore the surface of the material and make it look as good as new.
Take note that Pakkawood is not dishwasher-safe. The best thing to do is to thoroughly clean it by hand.
Conclusion
At this point, we hope that you already know what is Pakkawood and what makes it popular. As mentioned above, it is a human-made wood infused with phenolic resin. It has been through high pressure for superior material bonding. It looks like traditional wood, but it is available in multiple colors, including bright hues. It is also more durable. Unlike genuine wood, it is not easily prone to warping and splitting, among other damages. This is a common material used in kitchen knives and spatula.
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