Hardwood is obtained from deciduous trees which take a long time to grow. Due to this fact, hardwood is more scarce and expensive than softwood. Hardwood itself is usually dense, dark, and quite fire-resistant. The hardwood veneers in pakkawood are responsible for the sturdy build. Some examples of hardwoods include oak, ash, and walnut. On the other hand, softwood comes from conifer trees that take less time to grow, which reduces the cost. Softwoods lack some durability compared to hardwoods but compensate by being more flexible and easy to work with. Softwoods are lighter both in appearance and in terms of weight. Though not used in pakkawood, softwoods can make good knife handles as well. Common softwood varieties include cedar, fir, and pine.