|
Why is it that we as humans are so attracted to patterns? Tigers, zebras, kitty cats, candy canes, pin-stripe suits: they all point to that one magical, yet simple pattern that appears everywhere in our lives -- stripes. Strangely enough, trees also seem to have a keen fashion sense, and many varieties have natural stripes; essentially marking early wood vs. late wood as the tree grows. Some are striking and well defined, while others blend from dark to light almost imperceptibly, but they are all beautiful in their own right.
 |
Bocote is a very distinctively striped wood, with something of a more "wild" quality -- it reminds me of giant hairy bears, or fearsome kitty cats, ready to pounce on the nearest grasshopper. The grain patterning almost looks "fuzzy." |
|
Cocobolo, Dalbergia retusa, is one of the most beautiful of the true rosewoods. The wood is strong and exquisitely grained, sporting thick and thinner grain lines, colors ranging from orange to deep brown, and of course, polishes up to be as smooth as glass. Definitely one of my favorite woods to work with. |
|
Limba usually comes as a light-grained wood, but on occasion one can get Black Limba (pictured), which has beautiful, subtly shaded stripes that seem to blend together flawlessly, often creating dramatic patterns on a finished piece. |
|
Paldao is a rich golden color that shines in the light. It can be spalted, as shown, which creates streamlined bluish-gray streaks that add beautiful color to the wood. |
|
Tulipwood, Dalbergia frutescens, is an exquisite (and costly) rosewood with a cream-colored base and pink grain lines that swirl all over it. Tulipwood also has a beautifully perfumed scent when cut, intoxicating in its aroma. One of my favorite Rosewoods. |
|
Zebrawood -- who could ever mistake it for anything else? With its wonderful brown stripes on a tan background, Zebrawood is one of my most favorite of woods. I love to use it in just about everything because of its distinctive and beautiful pattern. Because I make very small items, I try to purchase boards with the thinnest of stripes so you can get the maximum effectiveness out of this incredible wood. |
|
Please note: All of the information on this page is an opinion of the author. It is not to be relied upon for any purpose other than to find out another person's thoughts on the differing types of wood. All efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the factual information presented, however, absolute reliability cannot be guaranteed. This information is intended for use by the good folks who purchase and use hand-made wooden tools & ornaments. If you are looking to enter into woodworking, please consult safety guidelines before using any type of wood.
|
|
