The wood handle santoku is about 65% more expensive than the fibrox handle, but I paid the premium expecting a high quality product that could match my current Victorinox wood set. However, what I received is lower quality than depicted in website photos and noticeably stands out from my set. While the website photos shows the classic finished dark wood handle and bird insignia on the blade, the item I received has a rough, light wood handle and lacks the bird insignia. Beyond the aesthetic difference, the wood handle is not sealed and absorbs water, which will likely lead to a decreased lifespan. The blade seems fine, and the knife overall is useable, but the wood handle is poor quality and not worth the extra cost over the fibrox.
Thank you for your review, Yuen! We would like to gather more information about your experience with this knife. A Customer Solutions Representative will contact you soon!