Domestics
Curly Maple (KD)
ORIGIN: NORTH AMERICA
Curly Red Leaf Maple is commonly called soft maple, but the name often fools many woodworkers. Soft maple is only slightly softer than hard, sugar maple. Often Red leaf maple has better color and a more interesting grain pattern. It is an excellent wood for many woodworking projects, including: Musical instruments, furniture, flooring, joinery, and figured decorative veneers.
WOOD TYPE: Temperate Hardwood
TEXTURE: Fine and even
GRAIN PATTERN: Wavy, figured
HEALTH RISKS: Dust may affect lung function
COLOR: Pale brown, beige-cream
Janka Hardness: 950lbf
Birdseye Maple (KD)
ORIGIN: CANADA AND USA
Birdseye maple is a rare and mysterious characteristic found in hard maple. There have been theories as to how Birdseye maple forms, but no scientific evidence has been presented to verify the true roots of its existence. The one-of-a-kind figure is sought after in all cultures by a multitude of woodworkers, craftsman, and artists. Birdseye maple is excellent for custom pool cues, musical instruments, furniture, and small items such as jewelry boxes due to its unique and amazing figure.
WOOD TYPE: Temperate Hardwood
TEXTURE: Even to fine.
GRAIN PATTERN: Straight to wavy.
HEALTH RISKS:Dust can affect lung function.
COLOR: Pale, darkening toward the heart and with distinct red-brown latewood lines.
Janka Hardness: 1450lbf
Walnut
ORIGIN: NORTH AMERICA
Walnut is an all-around popular choice for woodworking. It has a fine texture and works extremely well with hand and power tools. Walnut is prized for use in furniture, cabinets, cutting boards, gunstocks, and a multitude of other projects. It is a popular choice for turning and carving as well.
WOOD TYPE: Temperate Hardwood
TEXTURE: lighter pale brown to a dark chocolate brown with darker brown streaks.
GRAIN PATTERN: usually straight, but can be irregular
HEALTH RISKS: most common reactions simply include eye and skin irritation
COLOR: can sometimes have a gray, purple, or reddish cast
Janka Hardness: 1130 lbf
Quarter Sawed White Oak
ORIGIN: NORTH AMERICA
Oak is regarded as one of the most beautiful woods to work with because of its grain pattern and character. Oak is used in many woodworking applications, including steam bending. Air-dry bending and crushing strengths are high. Hardness is rated as medium, and weight is high.
Cherry
ORIGIN: NORTH AMERICA
Cherry is easy to work with both machine and hand tools. The only difficulties typically arise if the wood is being stained, as it can sometimes give blotchy results due to its fine, close grain. A sanding sealer or gel stain is recommended. Glues, turns, and finishes well.
TEXTURE: Has a fine to medium texture with close grain
GRAIN PATTERN: is usually straight or slightly wavy.
HEALTH RISK: no adverse health effects
COLOR: Heartwood is a light pinkish brown when freshly cut, darkening to a deeper golden brown with time and upon exposure to light. Sapwood is a pale yellowish color, typically 1-2″ wide.
Janka Hardness: 1150 lbf