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Spalted Tamarind comes from South East Asia. The decay/spalting gives the wood awesome spiderweb type patterns that add character and excitement to its appearance. The spalting is most prevalent in the sapwood which is prone to attack from bugs and fungus which cause it.It is moderately difficult to work, but turns and finishes well. Sometimes the rot is more endemic than is obvious from looking at the surface of the lumber result in some wastage (lost pieces).Take care to use good dust collection and a dust mask, as the fungal spores add more to the air than dust alone.

boxmaking, inlay, specialty items, turnings

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Common Uses

Snakewood

Snakewood is one of the rarest and most visually distinctive woods in the world. Its pale yellow, orange-brown, or reddish-brown background is covered with a dense pattern of dark brown to black markings that closely resemble snakeskin, giving the species its unmistakable name. The grain is typically straight, and the texture is exceptionally fine, allowing finished pieces to take on a remarkable natural luster.Renowned for its extreme density and hardness, Snakewood is among the most challenging woods to work. It can be brittle and prone to splintering or cracking during machining, requiring razor-sharp tooling and careful handling. Despite these challenges, it turns beautifully and can be polished to an extraordinary finish, making it highly sought after by fine craftsmen.The tree itself is relatively small, producing slender trunks that limit the size of usable lumber. As a result, Snakewood is rarely available in wide boards and is most commonly sold as small billets, turning blanks, scales, pen stock, bow blanks, and specialty craft material. Long, wide boards are virtually unheard of.A member of the Brosimum genus, Snakewood is closely related to Bloodwood and shares the same exceptional density, strength, and durability. Its dramatic appearance and rarity have made it a favorite for high-end knife and gun handles, fine inlay work, luxury pens, musical instrument components, violin bows, and custom woodworking projects where no substitute will do.Due to the small size of the trees and the limited yield of defect-free material, Snakewood is often considered one of the most expensive woods in the world on a per-board-foot basis. Every usable piece represents a remarkably small portion of the original log, making this species as rare as it is beautiful.

fine furniture, specialty items, turnings

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Common Uses

Zebrawood

Zebrawood is a tough, durable, visually striking West African wood whose heartwood base color -- which can range from tan to a dull pale yellow, to a muted off-white / almost gray hue, depending on specific region and conditions of growth -- is decorated by dark brown striping of varying degrees (ranging to almost black), hence its name. The striping is typically long and fairly uniform when the wood is quartersawn, but wavy and erratic when flatsawn.¬† Sapwood is easily distinguishable (by its lack of striping, naturally) and is usually a light, pale white color.Its coarse, open-poured texture combined with its wavy and/or interlocked grain patterns can make planing a challenge. (as well as finishing, if filling all surface pores is requisite.) For any sort of resawing or surfacing, blades and cutting tools should be at their sharpest to minimize tear-out.¬† The wood glues well and usually possesses a pleasant, moderate to high luster, which can make for impressive finishing.While flatsawn lumber can yield some quite dramatic aesthetic results, quartersawn lumber provides maximum (and sometimes much needed) stability. The species is known to be difficult to dry, with pieces sometimes warping during the kiln drying process. Tiny pockets of small void areas, also, are not uncommon along the darker striped areas -- especially among flatsawn boards.Zebrawood's trademark aesthetics have made it very popular with veneer mills around the world. However, great care is required when handling, to avoid it cracking.¬† The wood's popularity keeps it in steady demand, which makes it moderately expensive in spite of a generally steady supply in the US.¬† While its demand is based almost exclusively on its aesthetic appeal, Zebrawood is a strong, stiff lumber, once dry.

fine furniture, handles, turnings, veneer

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Common Uses

Rosewood - East Indian

East Indian Rosewood can vary greatly in color. Although its base color is mostly always brown, the shades can range from golden brown to purplish or dark reddish brown. Secondary colors are often present. The wood's colors will darken with continued UV exposure. East Indian Rosewood is generally less dense than most other rosewoods. Its grains are typically interlocked (although they can be irregular or straight), which can make it difficult to work. Care must be taken when finishing the wood, as it is not uncommon for the wood's natural resins to impose if it is not first sealed. It has a medium texture.Since the exportation ban on Brazilian Rosewood, more than twenty years ago, it has become a popular substitute with corporate guitar manufacturers (electric and acoustic, alike) -- due in large part to its historically steady supply and relatively low cost (compared with other Dalbergia's). By comparison to Brazilian Rosewood, its pores are smaller, but it is also a very durable wood that's not overly susceptible to bug damage/infestation and it is considered stable after drying.Don't confuse this species with Sissoo (Dalbergia sissoo) which can also be referred to as¬† "Indian Rosewood" in certain locales. It is believed that Sonokeling: a true Dalbergia indigenous to Indonesia -- where it is also known as "Jacaranda" is also Dalbergia latifolia, however tree farmers in Indonesia are not in agreement with this assessment. Our research into Indonesia and the cultivation of rosewood trees there revealed that back in the 1700's, while the Indonesian islands were considered a colony of Holland, Dutch merchant colonists transplanted two major Dalbergia's to Indonesia: Dalbergia Nigra (Brazilian Rosewood), from Brazil, and Dalbergia sissoo (Indian Rosewood), from India.¬† This could well be a botanical mystery worthy of further investigation for the detail oriented student of the Dalbergia genus.

cabinetry, furniture, specialty items, turnings, veneer

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Common Uses

Rosewood - Madagascan

Madagascar Rosewood is a very popular wood with both acoustic and electric guitar luthiers (especially the former), as well as furniture craftsmen, despite being a wood that has been difficult to acquire in the US for the bulk of this new millennium. Depending on the specific species, heartwood colors can range anywhere from a pale yellowish-brown to orangish-red to deep burgundy to a chocolate brown, typically highlighted by bold black ink lines and secondary hues. Its straight grains and medium texture generally make for excellent working properties, despite its considerable hardness and density; its cuts, turns and finishes beautifully, with a nice natural luster.

The wood typically has a high natural oil content, which can make gluing challenging.

boatbuilding, cabinetry, carving, flooring, furniture, inlay, specialty items, trim, turnings, veneer

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Common Uses

Maple - Ambrosia

Ambrosia Maple is a general term attached to a variety of Acer (true maple) species whose boards included colorful bug "trails" -- caused by a fungus carried by the Ambrosia Beetle which penetrates the tree sap as the beetle eats into the tree, and it spreads both through the worm hole and up and down in the tree (carried along by the sap) and causes discoloring of the wood in streaks. The two primary species which draw the beetle's attention are Acer rubrum (Red Maple) and Acer saccharum (Sugar Maple), although -- with there reputedly being more than sixty different Acer species indigenous to North America -- this unusual phenomenon is certainly not confined to just the two. Weight and density can vary greatly -- depending upon the actual species -- the typical varieties of maple figuring can also be present, often creating some very unique, visually spectacular specimens.

Like any other maple, it is easily worked; generally cooperative through all phases. It's not much of a stretch to imagine -- since bugs have, quite obviously, already penetrated the wood's surface -- that the wood is decidedly non-durable, although it is generally stable enough for use in furniture and guitars. Its surface is typically darker than most sap maple (often featuring secondary / additional discolorations and other long streaks), although it retains the same high degree of natural luster.The scientific explanation is that the impregnated Ambrosia Beetle burrows into the maple tree (presumably for a safe place to deposit larvae), carrying fungi on its feet into the wood -- which serves as food for the insect's offspring, when they hatch. The fungal residue left behind as it digs into the maple can cause discoloration throughout the wood, via the tree's sap, in addition to the dramatically contrasting (mostly) blue and (sometimes) green trails which surround the small tunnels they chew. The beetles prefer wood that is not soaking wet, but that is in the beginning stages of drying. Once kiln dried, they will not re-infest.

crafting, furniture, lutherie, specialty items, turnings, veneer

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Common Uses

Olive - Wild

For millenniums, Olivewood has remained a wood of great cultural and religious importance and significance, especially in the Middle East. The wood can, indeed, be exquisite in appearance: with its (typically) creamy, golden brown base, and darker streaks and highlights, often augmented by spectacular figuring and/or areas of magnificent burling.Grain patterns are usually either straight or wild, although they can sometimes be interlocked, as well. Although opinions differ, Olivewood is thought by many to be a very durable wood, although it can be susceptible to insect / bug infestation. The wood is considered to be a superb turner, and it generally works, glues and finishes well. Because the fruit of the Olive tree is olives, there is a limited supply of Olivewood that is made available to the US.For wood craftsmen of all niches, Olivewood is highly desired for its often spectacular aesthetics; being known for its gorgeous, often-twisting grain patterns and dramatic figuring. Defects are not uncommon, and can often present some challenges when working, but hard work and perseverance can produce extraordinary results; there's really no other wood quite like it.Found in the Mediterranean Basin -- from Portugal to the Levant, and the Arabian Peninsula -- and Southern Asia, as far east as China, the Olive tree grows as a small evergreen tree or shrub. It is also known to grow in the Canary Islands, Mauritius and Reunion. The species is / has been cultivated in many places; it's considered "naturalized" in the Mediterranean coast countries, as well as in Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Java (Indonesia), Norfolk Island, (the U.S. state) California, and Bermuda.Its trunk is generally twisted and/or gnarled, making long, defected free boards quite rare. When found, they command a premium price.

carving, furniture, specialty items, turnings, veneer

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Common Uses

Goncalo Alves

Goncalo Alves, often called “Tigerwood,” is a stunning hardwood prized for its vibrant orange hues and bold dark stripes. It’s a top choice for woodworkers and furniture makers who appreciate its strength, durability, and beautiful appearance. This wood is not only strong and capable of withstanding wear and tear, but it’s also a joy to work with. Despite its density, Goncalo Alves turns smoothly and finishes with an impressive shine. Just remember to take extra care when gluing due to its natural oils.

The wood’s unique patterns, which can range from straight to wavy or interlocked, along with its fine texture and natural sheen, make each piece stand out. You’ll find Goncalo Alves in high-end furniture, cabinets, and musical instruments like guitars, where its sound quality and affordability have made it increasingly popular. It’s also perfect for decorative items and intricate carvings, showcasing its beauty and versatility.

In short, if you’re looking for a wood that combines durability with a distinctive look, Goncalo Alves is an excellent choice. Its unique charm and reliable performance make it a favorite among craftsmen and designers.

Often quite dull, we are very proud to be able to offer such stripey stock available at the moment.

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