Nice combination, Bushmiller, that Bull Oak (buloke) and blade steel together.
I have bought Japanese knives with western style handles for older people that have used western style knives all of their lives. With a western style handle the knife wasn't too much of a leap from what was familiar to them. For the same reason I went with V10 blades as they had also become used to stainless steels.
But, for myself, I have become quite fond of the traditional Japanese handle. Particularly the way the shape of the handle, which is more pronounced from some makers, fits in the hand.
Your thread reminded me of a project of mine that has sat uncompleted for some time.
Some years ago I bought an very old nakirri with a single bevel, a style not commonly made now, to see if I liked that style of knife. It came with a split in the handle which subsequently broke right open. I set about making a new handle for it but never got around to fitting it.
The old handle had quite a pronounced ridge, which I accentuated in the replacements that I made.
I like the way they fitted in my hand.
Here are two of handles that I made for the nakirri.
Three views of same two handles.
One is buloke and a forgotten wood from fruit or nut trees at the 'ferule' end.
The other some sort of purpleheart (oxidises towards brown over time) and another forgotten wood at the 'ferule' end.
I was still deciding which one to use, and that was as far as I got.
No finish on them yet as epoxy will be used to help set the blade in the handle.
Then just an oil, like Kunos Natural Oil Sealer No 244.
I'm not about to go into production myself, too busy woodturning when I do get the time to do that, but I reckon there is a good sideline for someone on this forum making nice handles for good Japanese knives. I know my local gallery that I sell my woodturning through would jump at the chance to have a cabinet of knives with speccy Australian wooden handles on display. Check out
Stefan's custom knife handles for the type of handle that is in demand from J-knife enthusiasts.
Apologies for butting into your thread, Bushmiller, but I couldn't resist the opportunity to help you reconnect another J-knife thread (which some of us love) back into the broader interests of the forum.