I used the last of a very rare & special highly figured piece of Curly Spanish Cedar (The only curly Spanish Cedar I have ever seen in person.) The namesake wood, Bloodwood, is glued up into the handle to form a stripe up the handle's middle. To strengthen the handle further I glued up a spine of Bird's Eye Maple that is, literally the backbone of the handle. The hoop is Mahogany surrounded by beautiful, sleek Wenge.