I want to make a statement!

[Doc AT]

I need to make a few pens that just POP! They've got to be beautiful pieces of wood that I can drill, turn, sand and polish. These pens are very special gifts for some very special people.

Please tell me what wood that you'd use if you were me. Thanks.

Doc AT

[Sean R]

Ancient Kauri wood. Look it up. When sanded it is absolutely amazing looking. It has when finished an iridescent almost on fire look to it. Very pretty. but costly.
Sean

[carvingbarn]

The two woods I like best for turning pens are Olivewood and cocobolo. Both turn well and finish out very nice. You may want to try this site it is a pen forum. International Association of Penturners - Powered by vBulletin
Like the WCI they are very helpful.

[ciskokid]

I think the two best sources for wood turning wood species are Penn state Industries and Woodcraft.com. they have very exotic wood and there are helpful tips as well. I use them all the time. Good luck.

[chipmunk]

hi, there r a lot of woods that can be used like walnut,oak,maple u can use any hard-wood that has a tight grain where oak has a large grain u may find some [like a small limb] where the grain is a little closer including the woods listed above also burl,dogwood,boxwood and all exotic wood are good not sure where u live if all,any r available to you

[Steve Reed]

Cocobolo, Tulipwood, Pink Ivory, Snakewood, Purpleheart, Rosewood, or Ebony would be my choices. They all turn well and sand well.

[markken5889]

my favorites have been olivewood, cocobolo and lignum vitae, for it's swirly grain patterns. but you know, I've had some beauties come from a few pieces of cherry taken out of my firewood pile. (Check out Craft Supplies USA web site for some good blanks for sale)

Mark

[northwood bob]

If you can find it, look for a piece of leopard-wood. I did a small box with it and the spots really poped out when I applied a sealant to it. It should lend itself well to a pen.

Bob

[Howie]

Lee Valley has a whole bunch of blanks.

[Claude]

Zebra wood, padauk, quarter-sawn white oak, any of the maples such as birdseye, curly, tiger-stripe, etc., osage orange, manzanita, poplar (when you can find it with the streaks of green and black in it)

Claude