African Blackwood
Dalbergia melanoxylon
The heartwood is purplish to brownish-black with dark gray streaks giving an overall impression of being black. Lustrous with an attractive inner chatoyance. Very hard, heavy, close-grained, and virtually free from pores. Its stability and lovely tonal qualities make it an excellent instrument wood.
Due to CITES regulations, we can only ship this species to customers in the United States.
These African Blackwood billets are cut from logs in Africa in 2023. To prevent cracking while in transit to the US, they were completely dipped in hot paraffin wax before being palletized and shipped.
Since they cannot season fully encased in wax, we remove the wax and apply several coats of clear shellac. This seals the wood and protects it from spikes in temperature or drops in humidity but has some porosity which allows the wood to dry and season. We recommend you keep it wrapped in the shrink wrap we applied before shipping. It is best stored in a cool climate (65-70° F) and with relative humidity around 35%.
When you are milling this wood, keep watch and if it starts developing small air checks, put a coat of shellac or paste wax on it. These large, mostly clear boards are incredibly rare in African Blackwood so please take pains to prevent degradation.
While these pieces have some grain aberrations (such as knot shadows, burl clusters, slight run out, or grain that isn’t straight) that we thought precluded it from being instrument quality, they are still absolutely gorgeous pieces of wood. There is a close up photo of one section of this billet where you can see some of the interesting grain features.
Item Number: W42646
African Blackwood Instrument Billets
Dalbergia melanoxylon
The heartwood is purplish to brownish-black with dark gray streaks giving an overall impression of being black. Lustrous with an attractive inner chatoyance. Very hard, heavy, close-grained, and virtually free from pores. Its stability and lovely tonal qualities make it an excellent instrument wood.
Due to CITES regulations, we can only ship this species to customers in the United States.
These African Blackwood billets are cut from logs in Africa in 2023. To prevent cracking while in transit to the US, they were completely dipped in hot paraffin wax before being palletized and shipped.
Since they cannot season fully encased in wax, we remove the wax and apply several coats of clear shellac. This seals the wood and protects it from spikes in temperature or drops in humidity but has some porosity which allows the wood to dry and season. We recommend you keep it wrapped in the shrink wrap we applied before shipping. It is best stored in a cool climate (65-70° F) and with relative humidity around 35%.
When you are milling this wood, keep watch and if it starts developing small air checks, put a coat of shellac or paste wax on it. These large, mostly clear boards are incredibly rare in African Blackwood so please take pains to prevent degradation.
These are absolutely gorgeous pieces of wood. Straight grained and as close to perfect as you can get in blackwood. They are ridiculously hard to photograph and capture the grain, plus we have put several coats of shellac on them for protection, but in the sunlight you can see the beautiful grain.
Item Number: IW36701
Black Limba 2 piece Guitar Neck Set
Terminalia superba
Beautifully variegated and colored, Black Limba is easy to work and finish. This wood is found in the equatorial forests of West Africa. Black Limba has wonderful tonal properties and is suitable for both solid-body guitars and acoustic guitars. Easy to work and takes a nice polish.
Item Number: IW36700
Spanish Cedar Guitar Neck Blank
Cedrela sp.
Also called Cigar Box Cedar because of its aromatic scent and its wide use in tobacco humidors. It resembles the wood of South American Mahogany to which it is related. Heartwood color varies from a light pinkish brown to reddish brown. It is fairly light in weight.
Due to CITES regulations, we can only ship this species to customers in the United States.
Item Number: IW36699
Brazilian Bloodwood Guitar Binding Billets
Brosimum paraense
Also called Satine, Cacique, and Cardinalwood. The heartwood is a rich strawberry red, in sharp contrast to the light colored sapwood. Takes a high, lustrous finish.
Item Number: IW36698
Honduras Rosewood Instrument Billet
Dalbergia stevensonii
A true rosewood, most of our stock comes from Belize. Smelling like stored apples, it is a lovely wood to turn and takes a fantastic polish. Getting scarce on the world market.
Due to CITES regulations, we can only ship this species to customers in the United States.
Item Number: IW36697
Figured Bubinga
Guibourtia tessmannii
Called by some woodworkers African Rosewood, Bubinga is a deep, lustrous, brownish-red color with a fine, darker striping. The figure makes the wood doubly beautiful. It is very hard and heavy and takes a glassy, smooth finish.
Due to CITES regulations, we can only ship this species to customers in the United States.
Item Number: W42643
Castello Boxwood
Calycophyllum multiflorum
Castello Boxwood, though not a true Buxus species, still has a very fine texture and a lovely light canary yellow color. This is truly a dream wood to mill.It is an excellent turnery wood, capable of very fine detail. Also very popular for making scale timbers and other parts for model ships. Air-dried.
Item Number: W42642
Figured Eucalyptus
Item Number: W42641
Brazilian Bloodwood
Brosimum paraense
Also called Satine, Cacique, and Cardinalwood. The heartwood is a rich strawberry red, in sharp contrast to the light colored sapwood. Takes a high, lustrous finish.
Item Number: W42640
Zebrawood
Microberlinia brazzavillensis
This striped wood develops a beautiful golden patina as it ages.
Item Number: W42639
Mexican Bocote Turning Squares
Cordia elaeagnoides
Bocote is an oily wood with a yellowish to dark brown color accented with irregular black stripes and streaks. It has a spicy smell and is hard, heavy and strong. It is easy to work and takes a very nice polish. This beautiful wood is seldom seen in woodworker's shops.
Item Number: W42636
Chakte-viga Turning Squares
Guilandina sp.
Found in the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico and related to Pernambuco (Guilandina echinata). It is sought after for house posts in Mexico as it is said to be impervious to termites and other insect pests. It is a lovely light to dark orange color, is fairly hard and heavy, and is capable of taking a very high polish. Rare.
Item Number: W42635
Tambootie
Spirostachys africanus
Also called African Sandalwood, this is a very aromatic wood, hard and heavy and takes a high polish.
Item Number: W42634
Verawood Pen Blank Bundle
Bulnesia sp.
Related to Lignum vitae. It is hard and heavy, oily, and a beautiful shade of green. It also has a very decorative grain on the radial surface.
Due to CITES regulations, we can only ship this species to customers within the U.S.A.
7 pieces.
Item Number: W42633
Verawood
Bulnesia sp.
Related to Lignum vitae. It is hard and heavy, oily, and a beautiful shade of green. It also has a very decorative grain on the radial surface.
Due to CITES regulations, we can only ship this species to customers within the U.S.A.
Item Number: W42632
Lebanese Cedar
Cedrus libani
This is one of the true Cedars. There are more than 50 references to Lebanese Cedar in the Bible. Psalms 92:12-"The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a Cedar of Lebanon". Because of its durability the Egyptians used it for making mummy cases. Carvings of Cedar have been unearthed in ancient tombs still in excellent condition. These boards are from a tree grown as an ornamental in England. The wood has a crisp texture and a lovely, aromatic scent that is very long lasting.
Item Number: W42631
Lebanese Cedar
Cedrus libani
This is one of the true Cedars. There are more than 50 references to Lebanese Cedar in the Bible. Psalms 92:12-"The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a Cedar of Lebanon". Because of its durability the Egyptians used it for making mummy cases. Carvings of Cedar have been unearthed in ancient tombs still in excellent condition. These boards are from a tree grown as an ornamental in England. The wood has a crisp texture and a lovely, aromatic scent that is very long lasting.
Item Number: W42630
Figured Narra Knife Handle Blanks
Pterocarpus indicus
Also called New Guinea Rosewood. It is a beautiful, highly lustrous golden yellow color sometimes with reddish streaks. A nice turning wood it is also used in furniture, jewelry boxes, handles, etc. It is easy to work and glue and takes a nice polish.
Item Number: W42629
Figured Narra
Pterocarpus indicus
Also called New Guinea Rosewood. It is a beautiful, highly lustrous golden yellow color sometimes with reddish streaks. A nice turning wood it is also used in furniture, jewelry boxes, handles, etc. It is easy to work and glue and takes a nice polish.
Item Number: W42628
Figured Narra Turning Squares
Pterocarpus indicus
This wood is also called New Guinea Rosewood. It is a beautiful, highly lustrous redish-orange color sometimes with darker streaks. The figure is classic bee's-wing mottle. A nice turning wood it is also used in furniture, jewelry boxes, handles, etc. It is easy to work and glue and takes a nice polish.
Item Number: W42627
Figured Narra Turning Squares
Pterocarpus indicus
This wood is also called New Guinea Rosewood. It is a beautiful, highly lustrous redish-orange color sometimes with darker streaks. The figure is classic bee's-wing mottle. A nice turning wood it is also used in furniture, jewelry boxes, handles, etc. It is easy to work and glue and takes a nice polish.
Item Number: W42626
Narra
Pterocarpus indicus
Also called New Guinea Rosewood. A nice turning wood it is also used in furniture, jewelry boxes, handles, etc. It is easy to work and glue and takes a nice polish.
Item Number: W42625
West African Ebony Turning Square
Diospyros crassiflora
Sometimes called Gabon or Gaboon, this Ebony is sometimes jet black but oftentimes has grayish streaks that mostly disappear when finished or after the made object has been put into service. This Ebony has a marked resistance to checking that is characteristic of some of the Indian and Asian species. It has a wonderful texture and is easily carved, planed, turned, and milled. It is fairly fine-grained and takes a high polish. This Ebony usually originates in either Cameroon or Nigeria and the logs are rough hewn in the forest and oftentimes brought to the nearest road by human porters. With the disappearance of other species of black Ebony this species is fast becoming the Ebony of choice.
This piece has a small section of wane on one corner at one end.
Item Number: W42623
West African Ebony Turning Squares
Diospyros crassiflora
Sometimes called Gabon or Gaboon, this Ebony is sometimes jet black but oftentimes has grayish streaks that mostly disappear when finished or after the made object has been put into service. This Ebony has a marked resistance to checking that is characteristic of some of the Indian and Asian species. It has a wonderful texture and is easily carved, planed, turned, and milled. It is fairly fine-grained and takes a high polish. This Ebony usually originates in either Cameroon or Nigeria and the logs are rough hewn in the forest and oftentimes brought to the nearest road by human porters. With the disappearance of other species of black Ebony this species is fast becoming the Ebony of choice.
A has a little bit of wane on one corner.
Item Number: W42622
West African Ebony Turning Squares
Diospyros crassiflora
Sometimes called Gabon or Gaboon, this Ebony is sometimes jet black but oftentimes has grayish streaks that mostly disappear when finished or after the made object has been put into service. This Ebony has a marked resistance to checking that is characteristic of some of the Indian and Asian species. It has a wonderful texture and is easily carved, planed, turned, and milled. It is fairly fine-grained and takes a high polish. This Ebony usually originates in either Cameroon or Nigeria and the logs are rough hewn in the forest and oftentimes brought to the nearest road by human porters. With the disappearance of other species of black Ebony this species is fast becoming the Ebony of choice.
Item Number: W42621
West African Ebony
Diospyros crassiflora
Sometimes called Gabon or Gaboon, this Ebony is sometimes jet black but oftentimes has grayish streaks that mostly disappear when finished or after the made object has been put into service. This Ebony has a marked resistance to checking that is characteristic of some of the Indian and Asian species. It has a wonderful texture and is easily carved, planed, turned, and milled. It is fairly fine-grained and takes a high polish. This Ebony usually originates in either Cameroon or Nigeria and the logs are rough hewn in the forest and oftentimes brought to the nearest road by human porters. With the disappearance of other species of black Ebony this species is fast becoming the Ebony of choice.
Item Number: W42620
Chakte-kok Bowl Blanks
Cosmocalyx spectabilis
This species is from the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. It is also called Redheart. Freshly cut it is a brilliant red color which darkens on exposure.
Item Number: W42619
Chakte-kok
Cosmocalyx spectabilis
This species is from the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. It is also called Redheart. Freshly cut it is a brilliant red color which darkens on exposure.
Item Number: W42618
Chakte-kok Bundle & Turning Squares
Cosmocalyx spectabilis
This species is from the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. It is also called Redheart. Freshly cut it is a brilliant red color which darkens on exposure.
A has 3 pieces.
Item Number: W42617
Figured Bubinga
Guibourtia tessmannii
Called by some woodworkers African Rosewood, Bubinga is a deep, lustrous, brownish-red color with a fine, darker striping. The figure makes the wood doubly beautiful. It is very hard and heavy and takes a glassy, smooth finish.
Due to CITES regulations, we can only ship this species to customers in the United States.
Item Number: W42616
Brazilian Bloodwood
Brosimum paraense
Also called Satine, Cacique, and Cardinalwood. The heartwood is a rich strawberry red, in sharp contrast to the light colored sapwood. Takes a high, lustrous finish.
Item Number: W42614
Black Palm Turning Squares
Astrocaryum & Borassus sp.
These are large palms, often up to 70 or 80 feet tall found in Asia, Central America and West Africa. When first felled they are often split into long beams and are used locally for canoes and drums. The wood, especially in older trees, is very hard and durable and consists of numerous fine, black fibers crowded densely together and surrounded by lighter colored, less dense material. The end grain gives the effect of lizard or snake skin. The densest wood is found on the outside of the trees and gets progressively softer towards the middle. Locally it is used for roof beams, bridges, and telephone poles, and is resistant to salt water, termites, and fungi. It takes a fine polish and is used for walking sticks, decorative handles, and boxes.
Item Number: W42613
Black Palm Turning Squares
Astrocaryum & Borassus sp.
These are large palms, often up to 70 or 80 feet tall found in Asia, Central America and West Africa. When first felled they are often split into long beams and are used locally for canoes and drums. The wood, especially in older trees, is very hard and durable and consists of numerous fine, black fibers crowded densely together and surrounded by lighter colored, less dense material. The end grain gives the effect of lizard or snake skin. The densest wood is found on the outside of the trees and gets progressively softer towards the middle. Locally it is used for roof beams, bridges, and telephone poles, and is resistant to salt water, termites, and fungi. It takes a fine polish and is used for walking sticks, decorative handles, and boxes.
Item Number: W42612
Brazilian Bloodwood Guitar Peghead Veneers
Brosimum paraense
Also called Satine, Cacique, and Cardinalwood. The heartwood is a rich strawberry red, in sharp contrast to the light colored sapwood. Takes a high, lustrous finish.
Item Number: IW36696
West African Ebony Guitar Peghead Veneers
Diospyros crassiflora
Sometimes called Gabon or Gaboon, this Ebony is sometimes jet black but oftentimes has grayish streaks that mostly disappear when finished or after the made object has been put into service. This Ebony has a marked resistance to checking that is characteristic of some of the Indian and Asian species. It has a wonderful texture and is easily carved, planed, turned, and milled. It is fairly fine-grained and takes a high polish. This Ebony usually originates in either Cameroon or Nigeria and the logs are rough hewn in the forest and oftentimes brought to the nearest road by human porters. With the disappearance of other species of black Ebony this species is fast becoming the Ebony of choice.
Item Number: IW36695
West African Ebony Guitar Peghead Veneers
Diospyros crassiflora
Sometimes called Gabon or Gaboon, this Ebony is sometimes jet black but oftentimes has grayish streaks that mostly disappear when finished or after the made object has been put into service. This Ebony has a marked resistance to checking that is characteristic of some of the Indian and Asian species. It has a wonderful texture and is easily carved, planed, turned, and milled. It is fairly fine-grained and takes a high polish. This Ebony usually originates in either Cameroon or Nigeria and the logs are rough hewn in the forest and oftentimes brought to the nearest road by human porters. With the disappearance of other species of black Ebony this species is fast becoming the Ebony of choice.
Item Number: IW36694
Shihuahuaco Bowl Blanks
Item Number: W42624
Bee's-wing Figured Narra Turning Squares/Pool Cue Blanks
Pterocarpus indicus
This wood is also called New Guinea Rosewood. It is a beautiful, highly lustrous redish-orange color sometimes with darker streaks. The figure is classic bee's-wing mottle. A nice turning wood it is also used in furniture, jewelry boxes, handles, etc. It is easy to work and glue and takes a nice polish.
Please take a look at the all the photos. This species is hard to orient in a way that shows off the figure. These are some of the most beautifully figured pieces we have seen in a long time. Quite rare to have squares this highly figured in this species. If a square is priced higher than the others, it is because it has absolutely excellent figure.
Item Number: W42611
Bee's-wing Figured Narra Turning Squares/Pool Cue Blanks
Pterocarpus indicus
This wood is also called New Guinea Rosewood. It is a beautiful, highly lustrous redish-orange color sometimes with darker streaks. The figure is classic bee's-wing mottle. A nice turning wood it is also used in furniture, jewelry boxes, handles, etc. It is easy to work and glue and takes a nice polish.
Please take a look at the all the photos. This species is hard to orient in a way that shows off the figure. These are some of the most beautifully figured pieces we have seen in a long time. Quite rare to have squares this highly figured in this species. If a square is priced higher than the others, it is because it has absolutely excellent figure.
Item Number: W42610
Bee's-wing Figured Narra Turning Squares/Pool Cue Blanks
Pterocarpus indicus
This wood is also called New Guinea Rosewood. It is a beautiful, highly lustrous redish-orange color sometimes with darker streaks. The figure is classic bee's-wing mottle. A nice turning wood it is also used in furniture, jewelry boxes, handles, etc. It is easy to work and glue and takes a nice polish.
Please take a look at the all the photos. This species is hard to orient in a way that shows off the figure. These are some of the most beautifully figured pieces we have seen in a long time. Quite rare to have squares this highly figured in this species. If a square is priced higher than the others, it is because it has absolutely excellent figure.
Item Number: W42609
Bee's-wing Figured Narra Turning Squares/Pool Cue Blanks
Pterocarpus indicus
This wood is also called New Guinea Rosewood. It is a beautiful, highly lustrous redish-orange color sometimes with darker streaks. The figure is classic bee's-wing mottle. A nice turning wood it is also used in furniture, jewelry boxes, handles, etc. It is easy to work and glue and takes a nice polish.
Please take a look at the all the photos. This species is hard to orient in a way that shows off the figure. These are some of the most beautifully figured pieces we have seen in a long time. Quite rare to have squares this highly figured in this species. If a square is priced higher than the others, it is because it has absolutely excellent figure.
Item Number: W42608
Shihuahuaco Bowl Blanks
Item Number: W42607
Shihuahuaco Bowl Blanks
Item Number: W42606
Figured Eucalyptus
Item Number: W42605
Masur Birch Turning Squares Bundles
Betula alba
Also called Alpine Burl or Karelian Burl after the Finnish province of Karelia where it is often found. The high figure found in this wood is caused when the tree heals the damage done by an invasive boring beetle. The beetle infestation leaves the trees stunted and sometimes deformed but produces wood with small twists and swirls that highlight the darker, burly figure. Rare.
A through D have 3 pieces each.
E has 4 pieces.
Item Number: W42603
Masur Birch Pen Blank Bundles
Betula alba
Also called Alpine Burl or Karelian Burl after the Finnish province of Karelia where it is often found. The high figure found in this wood is caused when the tree heals the damage done by an invasive boring beetle. The beetle infestation leaves the trees stunted and sometimes deformed but produces wood with small twists and swirls that highlight the darker, burly figure. Rare.
Each bundle has 6 pieces.
Item Number: W42602
Masur Birch Knife Handle Blanks
Betula alba
Also called Alpine Burl or Karelian Burl after the Finnish province of Karelia where it is often found. The high figure found in this wood is caused when the tree heals the damage done by an invasive boring beetle. The beetle infestation leaves the trees stunted and sometimes deformed but produces wood with small twists and swirls that highlight the darker, burly figure. Rare.
Item Number: W42601
Masur Birch Turning Squares
Betula alba
Also called Alpine Burl or Karelian Burl after the Finnish province of Karelia where it is often found. The high figure found in this wood is caused when the tree heals the damage done by an invasive boring beetle. The beetle infestation leaves the trees stunted and sometimes deformed but produces wood with small twists and swirls that highlight the darker, burly figure. Rare.
Item Number: W42600
Masur Birch Turning Squares
Betula alba
Also called Alpine Burl or Karelian Burl after the Finnish province of Karelia where it is often found. The high figure found in this wood is caused when the tree heals the damage done by an invasive boring beetle. The beetle infestation leaves the trees stunted and sometimes deformed but produces wood with small twists and swirls that highlight the darker, burly figure. Rare.
Item Number: W42599