pat , it is jute....i love the stuff.
dogwood, carved hook, firehardned, jute handlewrap, pitch resin on butt of handle, and beeswax finish...it realy, realy rips a dart! 
jamie....
 p.s.     can u zip me some pics of your buddys brass,or metal primitive field tips...i remember in a post a while back u talked about them. i just want to check then out...jamie