Fern, you are probably right.
It is interesting to note after I posed the question over a laminate, I see #6 on the wood impact strength graph is a laminated rosewood composite.
The thought just came to me because I remember 3 or so years ago having a conversation with a Aikido instructor (
http://forsythaikido.com/portal/) whose father in law was a wood worker...and made weapons for him and Laminate where among them...and I seem to remember him saying the laminate performed well.
Modern adhesives I know are impressive. But I suppose if laminates where that good...then more people would be using it.