For durability, toughness, solid feel and texture, I think it's hard to beat micarta, although it's not as popular as the natural materials but it's really great stuff. And I, personally, think it's pretty easy on the eye and quite easy on the wallet.
Here's one I did in Micarta.
http://custom.straightedgerazors.com...crat_68_01.jpg
http://custom.straightedgerazors.com...arta_68_03.jpg