Favorite wood

[wim kluck]

In my list is also dessert ironwood burl.

 

[geordie0928]

I think I would agree with Duncan,
Honduras Rosewood burl
Cocobolo burl
Aspen burl
Olive burl

 

[alan morrison]

People ask what my favorite color is, and I simply cannot give an answer. Its all about the combinations, primary, accent, tertiary...are they complimentary or not, etc. Yellow and Cyan, Orange and Blue, great together. Black, gold and red, awesome! Gray with orange accents. I can never pick just one color! Its always about how they go together. In general, I'm a real fan of black and gold, in various combinations and often with a tertiary (usually some kind of reddish color...but not always, blue works, green can work. Purple can be excellent done right!)

Its largely the same with woods for me. I don't have just one favorite wood. I like wood in combinations. Segmented turning was what got me into wood turning in the first place (not just pens, but all turning), because of how you can combine different kinds of woods to get these amazing combinations.

A lot of what I like about a wood isn't necessarily its color or grain characteristic per-se... For me, another factor is how easy it is to turn, sand, and finish. Some woods are just an amazing pleasure to work with...others are a hateful PITA! That drives what woods I use often enough. I really love figured and burl woods, but a simple strait grain works at times as well. Again, its hard for me to think of just one wood, its all about the combinations!

I like this answer, Jon. Colour combinations very important even when choosing the colour of the plating to match the timber used.

 

[Dalboy]

I am going to be different, I enjoy all woods no favourite they all have their quirks and character whether it be the grain pattern or it's turning ability.
Mind you, at the moment my material is a lot harder and metallic.

 

[Gert Fitcher]

I like this answer, Jon. Colour combinations very important even when choosing the colour of the plating to match the timber used.

Indeed. Some of the nicest pens I've turned have been wood with gunmetal kits, the colour of the metal doesn't detract from the wood.

 

[Adal6]

Same here Phil I think the gunmetal kits sets the pen off

 

[howsitwork?]

AlthoughI agree recolour combinations, I like figured English walnut for the grain and beauty of turning. Pink Ivory and am very partial to laburnum. Yew can be fantastic though and pincones set in resin are nice n dramatic too.

Olive ash works well and Wenge is a challenge but can look fantastic if not totally grain filled , if you know what .i mean? The open grain just gives it a life

 

[flexi]

AlthoughI agree recolour combinations, I like figured English walnut for the grain and beauty of turning. Pink Ivory and am very partial to laburnum. Yew can be fantastic though and pincones set in resin are nice n dramatic too.

Olive ash works well and Wenge is a challenge but can look fantastic if not totally grain filled , if you know what .i mean? The open grain just gives it a life

Yes Wenge can be 'interesting ' to turn!

 

[Bill Mooney]

I have lots of favourites, cherry being at the top of my list.

 

[flexi]

I have lots of favourites, cherry being at the top of my list.

I now have some ordered, looking forward to the smell

 

[21William]

Yew is probably top of my list. Pink Ivory and African Blackwood are also near the top. I turned some Bocote a couple of years ago and the contrast of the grain was lovely, now it’s just two shades of brown with less contrast.

 

[Caoimhoo]

I have so much unidentified wood which is very disappointing as l can’t tell anyone what it is for sure. I have changed tactics and am buying wood already identified.Of these the Mexican bocote turned very nicely. I have just finished a pen in cross cut Zebrano. I really like the look of it. I’ll post a picture in a bit. Also a big fan of walnut.

 

[Caoimhoo]

This is the zebrano pen