I chose to use Pau Santos for the upgrade handle. This wood is quickly becoming one of my favourites for tool handles. It is exceptionally hard, holds crisp detail well, and is very resistant to the elements due to its natural oiliness. Compared to other high hardness woods such as Curupay or Verawood which can feel almost like stone, Pau Santos is more welcoming in the hand. The character of the wood is probably closest to Desert Ironwood, which is considered to be the Cadillac of woods for knife handles and commands a significantly higher price tag.

The new handle is a hybrid between Japanese and Western profiles. Dozuki saws traditionally have a plain handle that extends perfectly straight in line with the spine of the blade. More modern versions may feature a pistol grip instead, which offers improved ergonomics but reduced control. This handle sits somewhere in between the two.

The belly of the handle follows the same curve as the original factory model, but a subtle downward curve has been added to the spine of the handle for improved ergonomics. This creates a uniform taper down the length that allows the user to choke up to whatever position provides the most comfortable grip. A finger hook has been added at the end to keep the user's hand from sliding off when you catch a knot. This also vastly improves the performance of the saw during one-handed operation and allows for a more relaxed grip. Cross-hatch patterns are hand-cut into both sides of the handle for improved grip.