This 12" tanto has been carved from a solid piece of American white oak and has an aesthetic faux pin hand-tooled from black walnut. White oak is strong and moderately dense, with a Janka hardness rating of 1350. It is an American standard for furniture and cabinet making, and turns out lovely training tools. After a final sanding with 220 grit paper, the piece has been given several coats of shellac that will not change color over time.