What wood type is lightweight and flexible, making it ideal for tool handles?

Ash is recognized for its lightweight and flexible properties, which make it particularly well-suited for tool handles that require both durability and the ability to absorb shock. The flexibility of ash contributes to a comfortable grip and helps to reduce the impact during use, making the tools easier to handle and control. This balance between strength and elasticity is critical in applications where the tool is subjected to repeated stress.

In contrast, other wood types, while they may offer certain advantages in different contexts, do not share the same level of lightness and flexibility as ash. Beech, for example, is denser and more rigid, suitable for applications that require strength but not necessarily flexibility. Maple is also a harder and denser wood, primarily favored for its durability in furniture making and flooring rather than flexibility in tool handles. Cedar, while lightweight, possesses a softer nature that could compromise the durability needed for tools. Thus, ash stands out as the ideal choice for the intended application due to these specific attributes.