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Red Canarywood, also known as Tara Colorada, is a rare hardwood from Central America, valued for its rich red to salmon coloring and warm, golden shimmer. It comes from the Platymiscium genus—specifically the fragrans species—and is sometimes labeled “Ruby” to highlight this especially red variant.This genus is the same one that includes Hormigo and Granadillo, both well-known among instrument makers and fine furniture builders for their beauty and tonal quality.Grain is typically straight or slightly interlocked, with a medium texture and a natural luster that finishes well. It machines cleanly, glues easily, and is a pleasure to work. With a density around 750–850 kg/m³ and a Janka hardness of 1,800–2,200 lbf, it strikes a good balance between strength and workability.Not to be confused with Canarywood from Centrolobium species, which is more common in U.S. markets, Red Canarywood is a different wood entirely—but offers a similarly attractive mix of color and usability, in a much rarer package.

cabinetry, specialty items, turnings

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Redwood - Curly

Curly Redwood, scientifically known as Sequoia sempervirens, is a rare and prized variant of the iconic Coastal Redwood tree species. What distinguishes curly redwood is its stunning figure characterized by intricate, swirling grain patterns that create a three-dimensional, iridescent effect when properly finished. This unique curly grain occurs due to genetic mutations or environmental stress during the tree's growth, resulting in a mesmerizing display of shimmering waves and undulating lines across the wood's surface.Highly sought after by woodworkers and artisans, curly redwood is treasured for its rarity and unparalleled beauty, often used in crafting fine furniture, decorative accents, and specialty items that showcase its exquisite figuring and rich, reddish hue.

cabinetry, crafting, lutherie, musical Instruments, specialty items

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Kosso

Gorgeous colors and grain patterns have resulted in the exploitation of this beautiful species for use in production of "Hongmu" furniture. It looks similar in appearance to Kiaat/Muninga, another member of the Pterocarpus genus. We only have a few hundred BF of this endangered species left and don't expect to get any more when it runs out.

boxmaking, cabinetry, inlay, knife handles, specialty items

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Chakte Viga

This vibrant Central American wood can features primary colors ranging from orange to golden brown (with gold, red and sometimes even green accent coloration). It is thought to be the closest relative to Brazilwood (famous for its use in stringed-instrument bows), and Chakte Viga shares many of the same acoustic properties. Grains are straight, but sometimes interlocked -- otherwise, this wood works easily, and finishes well. It has a fine texture and excellent natural luster. Sap is a pale off-white to pale yellow.

Chakte Viga is a wood that has been starting to emerge from relative obscurity over the last decade or so, being one of the lesser-known and -demanded woods from the tropical Central America region. We feel it has a huge untapped potential as a guitar tonewood, as well as in fine furniture production in the US. The wood has some very subtle aesthetics, sometimes exhibiting a 3D-like shimmering chatoyance after being finished with clear lacquer.

fine furniture, furniture, inlay, turnings

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Common Uses

Rosewood - Amazon

Amazon Rosewood has been considered a good substitute for Brazilian Rosewood though its beautiful appearance and desirability as a tonewood should allow it to stand out in its own right. Color tends to a darker reddish brown than its counterpart. Though slightly lower on the Janka scale, Amazon Rosewood is significantly heavier than Brazilian Rosewood. Its density contributes to challenging workability, while the oil content makes for difficult gluing. The effort is rewarded by its fine lustrous polish and superior tonal qualities.

furniture, inlay, lutherie, turnings, veneer

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Thuya Burl

Our Thuya Burl comes from Morocco.¬† Reddish brown in color, its figure can vary in density from block to block.¬† It has a distinct odor similar to that of Western Red Cedar.¬† The figure makes the species prone to tear-out.¬† It must be worked carefully with only the sharpest of tools.¬† Highly figured pieces look simply stunning as knife handles or other accent pieces.

boxmaking, inlay, specialty items

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Common Uses

Rosewood - Nicaraguan

Nicaraguan Rosewood -- also known as Yucatan Rosewood, or Panama Rosewood -- is the least dense, hard and heavy of all the Dalbergia species. Its heartwood can vary from a pale yellow-brown, to tan, to varying shades of brown (both light and dark); sapwood is pale yellow and clearly demarcated. Grains are generally straight, but can be wavy or interlocked; its texture ranges from fine to medium, with large, open pores. Its moderate luster is in keeping with its reputation of being aesthetically bland, although darker accents and occasional figuring are sometimes present.

Despite being significantly less stout than all of its true rosewood cousins, the wood is surprisingly durable. It is less oily, also, which adds up to some generally very cooperative working, turning, gluing and finishing properties.

furniture, specialty items, turnings

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Common Uses

Rosewood - Santos

There are actually two different types of wood which are known as Pau Ferro: the most common one is also known as Bolivian Rosewood, and Morado; the other one is significantly more dense (generally around 50% more), and is known also as Brazilian Ironwood and Brazilwood. The vast majority of what os made available in the US is former of the two -- the less dense variety. The wood earned its "... Rosewood" nicknames (by which it is commonly known) because its colors and density are similar, which its medium brown base typically augmented by black streaks or grain lines, and sometimes even purple, tan and golden secondary hues, and sometimes a purplish tint, overall. Although it can have varying grains, straight-grained pieces are generally very easy to work, and the wood turns smoothly and finishes well. It is considered quite durable, although it can be subject to insect attack.

cabinetry, flooring, furniture, specialty items, turnings, veneer

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Common Uses

Makore

Makore is a beautiful African wood which is renowned for its great strength and durability, despite being of a moderate density. Its heartwood can range from pink to a light to medium reddish-brown, with its yellow sapwood be clearly discerible, when present. Figuring is not unusual, with striped, mottled and sometimes even beeswing being found in quartersawn boards. It is typically straight-grained and easy to work, although grain patterns can occasionally be wavy or interlocked. Although it can have a dulling effect on saw blades, its high silica content contributes to its fine natural luster and poses no real issues with gluing or finishing.

boatbuilding, cabinetry, flooring, furniture, specialty items, turnings, utility lumber, veneer

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Mahogany - Brazilian

Known in the US primarily as "Genuine Mahogany," Swietenia Macrophylla, its scientific name, is what most in the exotic lumber industry consider to be the true species when referring to "Mahogany." Historically, it has been a very economically important wood throughout the Latin America region. Its color can range from a pale pink to a light to medium reddish-brown, and it is renowned for its chatoyance. Grains vary; although generally straight, they can be interlocked, irregular or wavy, also. Its texture is fine and uniform, with a rich natural luster.

Lumber which originates from the wood's indigenous natural regions is considered to be significantly more durable and stable than its plantation-grown counterparts.

Once a mainstay in the cabinetry, furniture and guitar building industries, here in the US, Genuine Mahogany has become increasingly more difficult to source since its inclusion in CITES' Appendix II, in 2003. It is still imported, although a significantly high percentage are of plantation-grown origin -- which is less desirable and considered to be of inferior quality to that grown in native habitats.

While the net effect of all this has been to create a 'mahogany substitute' segment of the exotic wood import industry -- bringing woods such as Sapele and African Mahogany more into favor -- the demand for Genuine Mahogany hasn't waned.

boatbuilding, cabinetry, carving, furniture, turnings, veneer